Triumphrat

idaho_thrux · 01-29-2007, 01:05 PM

Went on a short (40 mile) ride yesterday. Haven't had the Thrux out since before Christmas due to the cold weather here in Idaho. The sun made a valiant attempt to warm things up, but by the time we got started on our ride (6PM) the temps had already dropped back below freezing. We were dressed in layers and my core stayed reasonably warm, but hands took the brunt of the cold. With no windscreen at all on the Thrux and no hand guards of any type, my extremities got very cold. As in "so cold they didn't want to work anymore" by the end of the ride. As we pulled up to the bar at the end of our ride, I noticed frost all over me and my gear.

It took at least a good hour and most of a pitcher to warm up.

As is standard for so many of us that own these bikes, after a while a guy walks up and asks if one of us owns the Thruxton outside. Once I acknowledge, he proceeds to tell me about his old Tigers and Bonnie's and about the Rocket III that he just bought. Ahh...the esprit de corps of riding a Triumph. Such a welcome change from everything else I have ever owned.

Now that I have broken out of my short Winter break, I can't wait to get back on the bike. Maybe the weather will cooperate...maybe not, but I kind of get the feeling that won't stop me.

Cheers,
JW

OldSkoolFool · 01-29-2007, 02:52 PM

The description in your post almost makes it sound you were snowmobiling rather than motorcycling. I'll admit, there is something about these modern classics, especially cafe racers to me, that just make you want to get out and ride no matter what the condition. The fun of riding these bike keeps one warm for at least a little while in cold weather.

sweatmachine · 01-29-2007, 03:19 PM

I made 3 coffee stops yesterday in about 2 hours of riding. So I really was doing some cafe racing.

idaho_thrux · 01-29-2007, 03:49 PM

OSF, at times it did remind me a bit of snowmobiling....the summit of the road we took is actually called Old Freezeout Hill. Seemed appropriate.

t-birder · 01-29-2007, 03:59 PM

Quote:

On 2007-01-29 13:19, sweatmachine wrote:
I made 3 coffee stops yesterday in about 2 hours of riding. So I really was doing some cafe racing.

Where'd ya go, Sweat? I managed a few miles yesterday, too. Still a little chilli in Austin. but bearable. Now next week...we'll see.

davewhoz · 01-29-2007, 04:10 PM

Hey, I'm glad to hear I'm not the only idiot on these forums. I took my ole' gal out 3 days ago -- 15 degress F according to the thermometer. An hour and a half later, and my teeth were chattering, my hands felt like they were going to fall off, and my legs might as well have been made of stone.

But there was a huge grin on my face.

Whitehurst · 01-29-2007, 04:20 PM

Couple of weeks ago John and I went down to San Diego for the Rockers Ride. When we left our homes at 8:00am in temecula it was 21 F. Looking on the Nasa weather chart I believe if I remember right comes in at 4 below.

So in other words - I feel ya... :chug:

[ This message was edited by: Whitehurst on 2007-01-29 14:21 ]

graciejohn2 · 01-29-2007, 04:45 PM

Yep.....with the Windchill factor that was a COLD day.

I had ridden the day before and was so freezing it was not even funny. I immediately went and got "real" riding gear for the winter.....pants, cold weather under armor, winter gloves, etc.

What a difference it made. Well worth the money spent.

JOHN

sweatmachine · 01-29-2007, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Where'd ya go, Sweat? I managed a few miles yesterday, too. Still a little chilli in Austin. but bearable. Now next week...we'll see.

I work in Lakeway and live in South Austin. All I really did yesterday was take the long way to work to catch up a little bit.

Rode through downtown, stopped at Lovejoy's for a coffee, went up Lamar to 2222, stopped at Starbuck's at 2222 and Balcones for an Americano, then 2222 to 620 to Lakeway. Came home via 360 to Mopac.

We need to go for a ride sometime. I wanna see that Tbird in person. My bike is about to be out of commission for a few weeks though (big bore kit).

AVMECH · 01-30-2007, 09:22 AM

The worst my hands got it wasen't even that cold. About 40 degrees, light misty rain, but I didn't have any gloves then! First they got real cold, then came the not working and pulling the clutch like Capt. Hook. The I felt nothing and was happy for the next hour or so. But afterward when they started to warm up, absolutly excruciating. it hurt for hours. You'll never catch me without gloves again, even in 100 degree summer weather!