| Author | Message | ||
     Crusty |
Last winter, I swore I would have a four wheeled vehicle for this winter. Riding during January and February was just work and very little pleasure. Just to go to the Supermarket took a large amount of effort. Putting on the overpants, the wind triangle, the lined jacket, helmet and gloves made me feel like the kid in Christmas Story. I could barely turn my head, raise my arms or lift my leg over the seat to get on or off the bike. Plus, even with all the right gear, it's still cold when the temps drop below freezing. Anyway, I bought a sh*tbox Ford Ranger a few weeks ago. It needs a bit of work; half of the dash lights don't work, the heater fan switch only works on high, and the outside drivers' side door handle is broken (I have to get in through the passenger side). The read bumper is mangled, and needs to be replaced. The good news is I can fix all of the above items. J C Whitney has shipped the door handle, and I should be receiving it any day. A local junkyard has a bumper they'll sell me for $50.00, and they have enough scrapped Rangers that I can find whatever used parts I need. The truck runs well enough, and I'm pretty sure it'll get me through the winter and probably a lot longer than that. However, I find that I have no desire to ride at all. Since I brought the truck home, I haven't even started the Norge. It just sits in the garage. I've had cars or trucks in the winter before, but I've never had so little enthusiasm to go out for a ride. I knew that when I first got the truck, I'd go through "New Toy Syndrome" for a little while, but it's been almost a month since I took the bike out. This kind of bothers me. I hope it's just a phase, and I'll get back to normal pretty soon; but I have this fear that I might just be getting old and soft.Then again. it is winter, and it 's kind of nice to be able to do a whole weeks worth of grocery shopping at one time and not have to worry whether it will all fit in the saddlebags. Am I really wacked out, or does anybody here know what I'm saying? | ||
| Elsinore74 |
You're fine. No matter how long before your next ride, when you start rolling on the bike, you'll rediscover the desire. Works every time for me. For now, enjoy wrenching on the project truck. No worries. | ||
| Pwnzor |
My bike has been sitting in the garage for months, since long before the weather cooled off. I find that it is less the lack of actual desire so much as that I desire MORE to ride with my wife on the back. I simply don't like being away from her. So... we've been half heartedly shopping for a cruiser that will have more room for her, but I have to be honest... if I were to find a good deal on a Honda S2000 or similar such convertible car... (no miatas allowed) The bike's days might be numbered. | ||
| Dpb |
Normally I ride till Dec 1st. This year in northern Iowa, winter came earlier. I still ride when I can, but the heated gear goes on. I have terrible withdrawals, but my "fix" is I read a lot more on the ADV board. Can't wait for spring! | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
I have felt that way since October of 2009. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Nasty. If that's what getting old is all about, I don't want any of it. Luckily, I'm only 73 and I haven't lost a bit of my enthusiasm. I will admit that I haven't done any track days since I was 68.  | ||
| Mnrider |
Here in the midwest the roads are iced over so you can't safely ride,no big deal. It sure feels great when the weather improves and you start that bike up for the first time in a couple months. Wait till that warm sun hits your face,you'll be wanting to ride. | ||
| Bob_thompson |
Gentleman_jon: "If that's what getting old is all about, I don't want any of it. Luckily, I'm only 73 and I haven't lost a bit of my enthusiasm. Gentleman_jon I will admit that I haven't done any track days since I was 68." Thanks much John, I needed that and its my feelings exactly although I'm a lot younger then you, I'm only 72,(tongue in cheek) I don't want to change and I work hard at keeping in shape both physically & mentally. However, like Crusty, I do not have a lot of enthusiasm for riding in our Utah winters like I used to have. Now its warm up the engine every couple of weeks and wait for that one day in the 40's with sun and dry roads. Coming soon, so it looks like maybe I'll get a short warm up ride in. Then wait for spring and these beautiful canyons to open up for some serious twisty riding on the 1125R. One year at a time! | ||
| Zane |
Crusty, I rode for about 45 minutes last Saturday right before the snow came. I was testing out the clutch after an adjustment. It was 22 degrees and as much as I love riding, it just wasn't fun being that cold. Don't worry, we'll give it hell this spring. (Message edited by Zane on December 11, 2013) | ||
| Kev_m |
Meh, yeah, you're fine. I dunno about you, but back in the early 90's when I bought my first new bike I couldn't afford both IT and a car/truck, so I sold my cheap, beat-up old Blazer and dealt with 1.5 hour (each way) commutes through a couple of PA winters. I remember getting caught at a company x-mass party one year, coming out at about 2 am to find an inch or two of fresh snow on my new Harley. I even bought a winter beater-bike for when the weather was that bad. But then around 95 or so I dropped my winter beater on black ice maybe 2 or 3 times and thought to myself "Self, you're a moron, buy 4 wheels again" and I did. In the years since I've been lucky enough to buy some rather nice cars too, so though I don't drive them nearly as much as I would if I wasn't riding so often, I no longer stress about it when I do and I can actually enjoy them as well. So when it gets THIS COLD out, I may go a week or two (or even more when there's snow/ice on the ground) without riding. But life is still good. And since we've got ice and snow now, as far as I'm concerned the Guzzi, Duc, and Buell are all parked, only the Harley will see the roads for a while unless I'm sure all that salt is gone. | ||
| Fahren |
Yeah, the salt and loose grit. >:-( | ||
| Strokizator |
I used to ride winters here in Calif and actually had a good time when temps were in the high 20's but doubt that I'll get much of a chance to this year. Every time I grab my shoes and put the wallet in my back pocket, the dogs get all excited at the prospect of a road trip. I find it pretty hard to disappoint two beasts who think the world of me (quite possibly the only two on this entire planet) and end up taking the car. Still there are days so exceptionally nice that the mutts can just cool their heals for a while. | ||
| Etennuly |
Crusty, you have nailed my feelings about not riding my beloved Uly year round like I used to. But for me it is not only the cold holding me back. For a long time I thought is was just me becoming lazier as I get older. Physical aliments of the variety that do not stop you from working or doing things.....but rather the type of nagging consistent source of pain or stress upon movement that makes putting on the gear or pushing the bike into or out of the shed. Certain movements under certain conditions are like being stabbed by a hot length of rough cut rebar. Some of these things come on so slowly over time you don't even know it is there until someone else points it out. My physical aliments are not unlike those my '06 Uly has had. Small things that are easy to diagnose and fix if they appear one at a time. But if you get multiple symptoms at the same time you end up chasing problems you don't even have and cannot find the one's that need to be fixed. All of this leads to long periods of time where in you(or the bike)still run, but not with the permagrin that is normal. | ||
| 86129squids |
Crusty, all you have is a common problem: SADD (Saddle-time Absentia Depression Disorder.) Quite common during winter, given the cold and shorter daylight days... Looking out the window, I REALLY wish I could get the Beemer out to run errands... but then, I've misplaced my "applewarmer", a critical piece in this cold, and just don't feel like putting on the layers just to poot around town on errands. I'd rather do a day-ride with multiple stops to warm up... My GF is becoming more and more resistant to doing rides on the BMW, given her back problems and yes, aging... Pwn, I'm with ya- I dearly hope that in the new year I might acquire a decent, cheep 'vert, yes, ideally one of those schweeeeet S2000's- I'd settle for a Miata though. What's your beef with them? Two of my dream cars: A vintage Karmann Ghia convertible ($$$$$$$$$$!!!!), and somehow, someday, a convertible Yugo (yes, they DID.) I'd slap a Mazda rotary in that Yugo with some suspension work and be set for shits and giggles for LIFE.  Back OT: Got tendonitis in my left elbow due to work, dammit. Post up your favorite fixes for that phleeeze. | ||
| Aesquire |
2 thoughts. I don't ride anymore after the snow falls and the road is salted. Except maybe, that nice day in December. ( which I may have missed ) It's amazing how much mature wisdom resembles being too tired. - Robert Heinlein Anyhoo.... Spring will come, and the body willing, riding will happen. A few years ago, I had a bad reaction to simvastatin and could not bend my knees enough to get on the bike, much less reach the foot pegs. It took 2 years to be able to ride again. Today, I'm unlikely to even try to ride a GSXR. Sucks. | ||
| 86129squids |
"It's amazing how much mature wisdom resembles being too tired. - Robert Heinlein"   Vern- we WILL ride a day trip together in the new year. DAMMIT. Bought that 955I Trophy- it will need bodywork paint and decals. And Helibars, and footpeg fix, and... Ergos are paramount. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
I ride for enjoyment, I drive for a living. If I'm not going to enjoy the ride I won't bother riding. I have a car that I love driving too, so that helps. Yes I am getting old, I don't have to prove anything to anyone anymore.  | ||
| Pnw_uly |
"It's amazing how much mature wisdom resembles being too tired. - Robert Heinlein" Great quote. . . Have had an unusual cold snap here in Western Washington and lamenting the daily commute to the point that I actually starting pricing heated jacket liners. . . Still better cold, but moving in the HOV lane. | ||
| Bienhoabob |
Crusty, Invest in some electric gear. As part of the Patriot Guard, we escorted 200+ Navy recruits to a Thanksgiving dinner at a local VFW. It was 23 degrees. I rode 100 miles round trip that day. I was so warm that I had to turn the thermo down to be comfortable. You don't have to layer up. Long sleeve shirt, electric liner, jacket. Proper gear extends the riding season, but nothing you can do about the snow/icey roads. Glad to hear that you are still enjoying your Norge. Bob | ||
| Xdigitalx |
Not a cure Crusty but here is some Guzzi eye candy: http://www.youtube.com/user/AutoMotoTube/search?qu ery=motoguzzi |
