The Motorcyclist In Winter
Sidecar riders are especially capable of winter riding.
Riding motorcycles in the snow is not a lot of fun (unless you’re doing the
For the hard-core rider, at least those who don’t live where a “cold†day means 40 degrees, this time of year is sort of like doing jail time. What can you do to while away those days until Springtime springs you from your cage (pun intended)? Here are some ideas.
First off, just as farmers use the winter to mend their equipment, so should we. Take the time finally to give that bike a good cleaning. If there are repairs you’ve been putting off, now is the time. Or perhaps, more along the fun route, there are some new enhancements (otherwise known as “geegaws†or “farklesâ€) that you’ve been wanting to add to your bike. If Santa didn’t bring them to you, or you could play Santa yourself, to yourself. Your bike will thank you.
Of course, there’s no time like now to be planning next summer’s trip. Get out the maps, hit the Internet, and let your imagination run wild. The more you crave a ride the more you’re going to enjoy visions of next summer on the road. Take all the pleasure you can get from it. I know people do this because traffic on this website really spikes right after the first of the year and the pages being visited say “trip planning.”
On occasion you may want to drop by your favorite motorcycle dealership and enjoy the eye candy. Touch those gleaming tanks, sit on a few of those beauties. Again, let your imagination get carried away. The truth is, this may stoke your fever more than assuage it, but that’s still a lot more fun than sitting home moping.
Have you ever watched “On Any Sunday� Surely you’ve at least heard of it, the motorcyclist-favorite 1971 documentary about racers and racing fans, including Steve McQueen, but have you ever watched it? If the answer is no, you owe it to yourself to do so now. This one will definitely get your motor running. And you can find it for free online.
Finally, there is one option you should never forget when the winter doldrums have you down: Go ride.
OK, sure there are times when you absolutely can’t. Two feet of snow on the ground and streets that are impassable even for four-wheel-drive vehicles will not miraculously open up for a motorcycle. But how often does that happen each winter? Watch the forecast, keep the bike well-charged so you know it will start, and be ready.
Never mind that it’s freezing cold out there–man up! Dress warmly (an electric vest is a wonderful thing) and get out there, if even just for half an hour. You’ll be glad you did, and you know you’ll be telling all your buddies about it. And all the time they’re telling you you’re crazy they’ll have that wistful look in their eye wishing they had done it, too.
Biker Quote for Today
Even as a second commuter vehicle, it knew when to dance into an opening and when to open its joy and race past every standing fool on the road. — tomisb
February 20th, 2020 at 8:36 am
Winter is a great time to plan for the summer. I love looking at routes and getting things lined out for my big summer trip. Another great movie to watch is Why We Ride.