We seem to be in a weather cycle where the week starts cold, gradually warms up, then goes cold again for the weekend, adding in some precipitation to make the roads hazardous. This Saturday’s snowfall was not as heavy as the week before, and many of the main roads are drivable, but there’s too much risk of icy patches on the neighborhood streets for our ride this weekend. And we are super bummed out about it.
However, a look ahead to next week’s forecast shows a hopeful break in the pattern. We’ll have the gradual warm up from today’s high of 37 to a high of 59 by Friday with an 80% chance of rain for Friday. Saturday will be cold, again, but partly cloudy with the same again on Sunday. So as long as the Friday rain comes and goes early enough to let the roads dry, we’re looking forward to two days of motorcycle riding next weekend. It will be cold winter riding, but with the right gear, the cold is manageable.
I can’t imagine what it’s like for riders who put their motorcycles up for the winter and wait months for the spring weather before riding again. I’m going stir crazy having missed two weekends; I can’t imagine going two months—or longer—without the fun and freedom of cruising on my bike. I would love to hear from a seasonal rider who does put the bike up for the winter. What do you do in place of your motorcycle rides? Maybe you live where there’s enough snow for snowboarding or skiing or some other adventurous fun. Maybe you work on your motorcycle, completing any needed maintenance, upgrading some features on the bike. Or do you just put motorcycle riding out of your mind until the warmer weather arrives?
Of course one big distraction is watching Youtube videos on the new releases in motorcycles. We are awaiting the arrival of the 2022 BMW K 1600 GTL at Adventure BMW which should be arriving in February. They already have the 2022 1250 GS and 1250 RT in stock, so we’re hoping when the 1600s arrive, we can head over for some test rides.
We also watched the big Harley-Davidson announcement where it is clear HD is trying to broaden its appeal with the new Low Rider S and Low Rider ST. They are also going a little retro with the flame paint jobs on the CVO (custom vehicle operation) motorcycles; we like the CVO street glide in the Envious Green Fade, but I’m not ready for an 800+ pound motorcycle just yet. Now we’re seeing videos from people disappointed in the HD announcement having expected a whole new bike. But Harley gave us the Pan America and the Sportster just last year, and they are hinting at a new bike later in the year, so I thought the announcements were great.
We’re not turning into homebodies, though. Even though it’s too icy and wet for the motorcycles, we do take out our bikes for some training. I work on my U-turns on the bicycle and was doing some fantastic S-turns in the parking lot of the Greek church. I also rode through some piled up snow, feeling the slip of the rear tire on the ice, just a little. And I’ve been working on riding the bike in a straight line down the parking lot lines. This is rather difficult, but I’ve learned not to pedal as the pedaling causes the bike to rock to the sides. I’ve also worked on using a soft grip which I need on the motorcycle, especially when we’re riding on gravel or dirt roads. Keep your fingers-crossed that we will be back on the motorcycles practicing all of this and more next weekend!🤞
“A bike on the road is worth two in the shed.”
Anonymous–https://wanderingbiker.net/motorcycle-quotes/
Flutterby Biker 