Becktastic's Winter Update

Becktastic · Post by **Becktastic** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 1:52 am

I haven't been on the forum as much lately. I finally finished up my classes this semester and have celebrated by doing absolutely nothing. Playing drinking games with friends at 1pm yesterday was pretty fabulous as well. The good news is I managed to sober up by 11pm so I could drive up into the foot hills where I am housesitting.

The bad news is that it's freaking cold up there. There's this -really- steep hill and I swear climbing it, the temperature drops 10 degrees. By the time I get up there, my thighs have turned to ice and I can't feel my fingers.

Sean bought me some glove liners, but they didn't work -at all-. I could barely get my glove over them, after some forcing, I succeeded, but I could barely bend my fingers. By the time I arrived at my destination, they were cutting off circulation and my fingers were cold anyway!

This morning I exchanged them for some winter gloves. There are men's gloves and black, so I am bummed my gear isn't all adorable and matchy, but they are fleecy and warm inside so I'm diggin' it anyway. Plus the grippy part on the palm is skull patterned, which is badass. It is pretty much like wearing mittens though. I feel really clumsy, particularly with the turn signals.

My aunt bought me a windshield for Christmas! Sean installed it for me this weekend. I am still freaked out by the noise the air makes coming off of it. I keep thinking helicopters are about to land on my head. The good thing is I can scoot my butt to the back of my seat and flatten down behind the windshield to hide from the icy air.

I need a scooter skirt or overpants desparately!

I know this is Tucson and many of you have worse weather to complain about, but it was still like 30 degrees last night. ><

So what's new with you?

Eazy · Post by **Eazy** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 2:38 am

I had a lot of surgery.

My stella and elite are winterized and in the garage.

And today it snowed 10"

YAY WINTER!

DennisD · Post by **DennisD** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 2:51 am

Rode to work this morning, temp was 30, wind chill 19. That was standing next to the scooter. I wonder what the wind chill is at 45mph? Anyway, I put on my Fieldsheer HydroTour jacket with the liner and the pants also with the liner. Windproof and waterproof. They become a better buy each time I wear them. They are 3 yrs old now and admittedly do not get a lot of use here in Florida. They're nice when you need them though.
For gloves I'm wearing a pair of Mountain Hardware windproof gloves with some old Isotoner driving gloves inside. Toasty. Full face helmet keeps the wind out and the windshield works well.
My boots are Oxtar with waterproof membrane. Again toasty.

Off to work. North wind was blowing about 15-20 with a bigger blast on the bayou bridge. While waiting for a light at the bay bridge a guy on a Harley with no windshield, not even a flyscreen, went by and looked like he was dying. He was wearing regular military brown shoes, socks, tan military pants, a mesh jacket, leather gloves and a full face helmet. He was headed to work at the base. I have been that guy! BRRRRRRR!

Although I was toasty the whole time, I'm still glad not to have to put up with weather like this very often.

Windshields are great. Coupled with good winter gear, you can really enjoy riding in the cold.

About the winter riding clothes. I paid about $230 three years ago for the jacket and pants. They are very sturdy and should last a long long time. Lots of armor in them. They really do make riding in cold weather enjoyable so don't hesitate if you really like to ride. Try on oversize if you can. Never know when you might want to wear even more underneath.

Orange Guy · Post by **Orange Guy** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 3:57 am

Scooters are under sheets, battery is on the tender.

I think the high here was 7 today. With windchill, it felt more like -25. And we're due for 4 more inches tomorrow ... and another 4 the next day.

emptym · Post by **emptym** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 4:43 am

Orange Guy wrote:Scooters are under sheets, battery is on the tender.

I think the high here was 7 today. With windchill, it felt more like -25. And we're due for 4 more inches tomorrow ... and another 4 the next day.

I was in the QC the week after Thanksgiving... and despite the cold, (i think the highs were in the 20's), there was still a line at Whitey's !!!

I couldn't imagine being on 2 wheels in that kinda cold.. Like Beck, I've been spoiled by the Arizona weather.

Orange Guy · Post by **Orange Guy** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 5:01 am

emptym wrote: there was still a line at Whitey's !!!

You get a pumpkin shake?

emptym · Post by **emptym** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 5:11 am

Orange Guy wrote: You get a pumpkin shake?

nahhh, I went all-out and got a Boston !!
got it around noon, and it took me all day to finish it.

rabbitgod · Post by **rabbitgod** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 2:46 pm

becktastic-My friday commute takes me past Foothill Mall. It definitly is 10 degrees cooler there. I ride over Rillito and CDO twice on that commute and there is this wall of chilled air on each bridge. To make matters worse I keep going east on Ina as it turns into Skyline and Sunrise. At that point you're at 3500' and it's chilly.

The plus side is I've been Taking Craycroft back down into the city and it's a pretty good view.

I'm still using my mesh summer gloves. There were promises made from the in-laws that I would be getting winter gloves for christmas. I can't wait. I also fashioned a skirt out of a plastic bag. I take a heavy black garbage bag. Throw in a few rocks, tie the open end together so they don't fall out. Then tie the thing around my waist. It's just the right amount of ghetto ingenuity one might expect from me, but it works pretty well.

Becktastic · Post by **Becktastic** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 3:13 pm

rabbitgod wrote:becktastic-My friday commute takes me past Foothill Mall. It definitly is 10 degrees cooler there. I ride over Rillito and CDO twice on that commute and there is this wall of chilled air on each bridge. To make matters worse I keep going east on Ina as it turns into Skyline and Sunrise. At that point you're at 3500' and it's chilly.

The plus side is I've been Taking Craycroft back down into the city and it's a pretty good view.

I'm still using my mesh summer gloves. There were promises made from the in-laws that I would be getting winter gloves for christmas. I can't wait. I also fashioned a skirt out of a plastic bag. I take a heavy black garbage bag. Throw in a few rocks, tie the open end together so they don't fall out. Then tie the thing around my waist. It's just the right amount of ghetto ingenuity one might expect from me, but it works pretty well.

Wow that's pretty brilliant!

Those winter gloves I bought yesterday were the greatest purchase of all time! I had to ride up there in the chilly rain last night and back to work at 7am this morning in the chilly rain again. I felt retarded leaving the house without my overpants. I forgot I had them up there until it was too late ><

I am all for ghetto fixes. Last time it rained, I put saran wrap over the seat so my butt wouldn't get wet...but it makes you slide all over, so I don't recommend it. I got smart last night and wrapped it before bed so I could pull the plastic off in the morning revealing a dry seat. But the wind blew it to the side and the seat was positively soaked. I threw a dishtowel over it but I am still pretty damp from the ride.

Those winter gloves made a huge difference in my comfort level. I hope you get yours soon! These are mine:

http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=&L ... S-9-2-SM_G

They were only $40 in the store

Becktastic · Post by **Becktastic** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 3:20 pm

Eazy wrote:I had a lot of surgery.

Oh my gosh did I miss something?! Was it scooter related surgery? In any case I hope you are a-okay now.

KABarash · Post by **KABarash** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 3:50 pm

Well, I'm still riding....... I must be half insane!! 19* right now! Been wearing my Carharts, bibs & coat. The coat is getting old now I've been layering a windproof sweatshirt (hoody) under it. The hood, I usually bunch up around my neck the best I can, this morning it came out and caught the wind like a mini parachute! Musta looked pretty funy....

rabbitgod · Post by **rabbitgod** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 5:55 pm

Becktastic wrote: Wow that's pretty brilliant!

Those winter gloves I bought yesterday were the greatest purchase of all time! I had to ride up there in the chilly rain last night and back to work at 7am this morning in the chilly rain again. I felt retarded leaving the house without my overpants. I forgot I had them up there until it was too late ><

I am all for ghetto fixes. Last time it rained, I put saran wrap over the seat so my butt wouldn't get wet...but it makes you slide all over, so I don't recommend it. I got smart last night and wrapped it before bed so I could pull the plastic off in the morning revealing a dry seat. But the wind blew it to the side and the seat was positively soaked. I threw a dishtowel over it but I am still pretty damp from the ride.

Those winter gloves made a huge difference in my comfort level. I hope you get yours soon! These are mine:

They were only $40 in the store

Those are nice. That's all I want is some light winter gauntlets. 90% of the cold air trapped in my jacket is coming up the sleeves so it would be nice to have that blocked out. My wife is opening her family's presents on Christmas Eve, unfortunatley every Christmas Eve I take a trip out to my childhood neighborhood and visit with old neighbors so I won't have the gloves on that cold potentially wet night.

I keep a white drawstring kitchen garbage bag in my pet carrier. When it rains I throw that bad boy on. It's thin enough that the latch catches the seat but it completely covers. And as a side effect it provides a little padding inside the pet carrier for delicate items like eggs from the grocery store.

Tricia · Post by **Tricia** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 9:11 pm

It was 39 degrees this morning, and I had ice on the windshield of my truck!
I watch the morning news and have been sucked in by "ARCTIC BLAST STORM WATCH '08" - we had "low level snow and ice" predictions. My family in Portland is all iced and snowed in, but here, that translates to a few inches of rain and some wind.
(I was imagining being trapped in my apartment for days- I would turn to look at Zac, and instead of Zac, I'd see a tasty burrito. My cats would look like little chimichangas, my tortoises are churros!)

PeterC · Post by **PeterC** » Wed Dec 24, 2008 12:18 am

Tricia, your cat is much more patient than mine. My 25-lb. black Maine Coon Cat would not put up with that!

Tricia · Post by **Tricia** » Wed Dec 24, 2008 12:42 am

Either one of my cats would let me put her head in a bun if I let them eat it afterwards. Baby is at about 22 or so lbs now, and Frida (5 months) is well on her way.
Yay kitties!

pugbuddy · Post by **pugbuddy** » Wed Dec 24, 2008 10:57 pm

It's yo-yoing between the 20s and the 60s here in Tulsa. Unfortunately, that means it drops way cold at night and we sometimes have ice on the streets in the mornings. Between that and late-night after work shopping, I've been in the cage. So my Buddy has stayed in the garage.

DennisD · Post by **DennisD** » Thu Dec 25, 2008 1:07 am

Hey, if you're snowed in and getting cabin fever, try kitten cannon to pass the time. Better than munching on your own.

http://www.kittencannon.us/

newslinky · Post by **newslinky** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 8:05 am

Just got back from a family trip out of state to visit all the other family members we have. Definitely needed to ride to work so I geared up and rode it was 32 when the sun went down. The gear I use keeps me in the comfortable range down into the high 20's low 30's. In that range I start to feel the chill by the end of my 45 minute 20 mile ride. It was a great ride both ways. Unfortunately I had a request from the wife to cage tonight as she needs me home asap in the morning since she has to work early. It was 59 going into work

Perkussion · Post by **Perkussion** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 10:05 pm

Becktastic wrote: My aunt bought me a windshield for Christmas! Sean installed it for me this weekend. I am still freaked out by the noise the air makes coming off of it.

The dealer installed my windshield because I ordered it at the same time
that I ordered the Genuine.
There never was a loud wind noise because of it. That was last Spring.

This Fall when it started getting a bit cooler I decided that my hands
might stay warmer if I lowered the windshield, (before I bought super-good winter gloves).

As soon as I lowered it about 3/4" the wind made a roaring sound that was almost frightening in it's intensity.
I drove back home and immediately raised it back up to the previous height. After that the noise went away.

The point of this is ...play with the height to see if it doesn't help the noise prob.
You might have figured this out already but if not, give it a try.

underdog · Post by **underdog** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 11:06 pm

DennisD wrote:Hey, if you're snowed in and getting cabin fever, try kitten cannon to pass the time. Better than munching on your own.

http://www.kittencannon.us/

Okay, I know it is a sick game, but I couldn't help playing. My longest launch so far is 835 feet.

DennisD · Post by **DennisD** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 12:44 am

Underdog,

Living in Miami you are not snowed in. You can't use that as justification for kitten cannon participation. It is fun though!

758 feet but still trying!

Becktastic · Post by **Becktastic** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 1:18 am

underdog wrote:
DennisD wrote:Hey, if you're snowed in and getting cabin fever, try kitten cannon to pass the time. Better than munching on your own.

http://www.kittencannon.us/
Okay, I know it is a sick game, but I couldn't help playing. My longest launch so far is 835 feet.

I got 757!

DennisD · Post by **DennisD** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 1:23 am

I haven't been able to get past 360 feet tonight. The blades are killing me!

underdog · Post by **underdog** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 1:26 am

Just got 1368!! I hit a few of those floating bombs and the kitty went really far and fast.

Becktastic · Post by **Becktastic** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 1:45 am

I just got 1,053!

thank you for giving me this unwholesome way to waste time at work

DennisD · Post by **DennisD** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 5:35 am

I've lost my touch. Nothing over 400 tonight. I did get one aerial bomb. First one ever.

Maybe I'll try Penguin's Revenge next.

newslinky · Post by **newslinky** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 7:14 am

787 best so far oh durn gotta work now blah

Howardr · Post by **Howardr** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 7:27 am

1329 feet! woot! I think my average was closer to 100 feet though. Most were terrible.

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 3:43 pm

Just what I needed ... something to distract me when I should be out and about and getting things done.

Kaos · Post by **Kaos** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 5:46 pm

Man, that game is kinda adicting.... 1306ft....

EDIT:
<img src=http://www.piratelogy.com/kitten.jpg>

underdog · Post by **underdog** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 11:35 pm

Okay, I really need to take a break from this game.

At least I got some 20 miles worth os scootin today. Beautiful; day here in so fla.

Syd · Post by **Syd** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 2:02 am

I'm calling the PETFA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Flash Animals)?

Oh, first try 1386ft.

olhogrider · Post by **olhogrider** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 8:02 pm

Haven't tried the game. Instead I drove to Disneyland with my daughter and two of her friends. 600 miles each way. Tried the new Midway Mania game/ride. Way more fun than I can describe. It was worth the 40 minute wait in line. We stayed until they threw us out at 1a.m. then drove home. I just woke up.

broke · Post by **broke** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 1:48 am

olhogrider wrote:Haven't tried the game. Instead I drove to Disneyland with my daughter and two of her friends. 600 miles each way. Tried the new Midway Mania game/ride. Way more fun than I can describe. It was worth the 40 minute wait in line. We stayed until they threw us out at 1a.m. then drove home. I just woke up.

I just got back from there also olhogrider! (1000 miles each way for me.) But in 3 days at the parks we never decided to wait in line for that one... now I regret that!

Post by **polianarchy** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 4:44 pm

I'm on my last day of antibiotics to combat the Evil Lingering Sinus Infection From Hell(tm). I only rode my scooter twice in the past two weeks, because a full-face helmet hurts more than the cold wind in a parched throat. Yes, I was sick and basically in bed for every day of my winter break. Sigh, but at least I have a job, so for that I am thankful.

PS: Poor kitties...*sniff*

Modern Buddy

Becktastic's Winter Update

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