Needed to ride

pampa9 · Post by **pampa9** » Sun Feb 05, 2012 7:21 am

I live in Northern Illinois, west of Chicago. It is very tough to ride on 2 wheels during the winter months. Well, today was 42 degrees, party sunny and the roads were dry. Put on my Christmas present (new riding jacket), scarf, helmet and warm gloves; and put in a few miles. The smile never left my face!

TVB · Post by **TVB** » Sun Feb 05, 2012 2:00 pm

Sounds like my day yesterday.

Mine had the added enjoyment of also test driving a new spark plug, which solved the problem I'd been having of the scoot stalling and being difficult to start. And I spotted an eagle flying overhead!

Raiderfn311 · Post by **Raiderfn311** » Sun Feb 05, 2012 3:29 pm

Very cool. Take advantage of any decent weather.

KABarash · Post by **KABarash** » Sun Feb 05, 2012 3:44 pm

I 'planned' a ride yesterday, weather was nice-ish, my older son was taking part in a 'Polar Bear Plunge' for the Special Olympics with his National Guard unit, I thought it would be apropos for me to ride. (40* 'Polar Bear Ride'?)
We all know my battery has been dead the last several weeks. I kick started, 'Simon' was idling in the drive while I geared up, my usual process. He stalled out, my idle setting is a bit too low, 150000 (I exaggerate, maybe) kicks later I couldn't get it re-started, did I flood it? I reluctantly drove the Jeep.......... I was bummed!!

Try again today......

Wheelz · Post by **Wheelz** » Sun Feb 05, 2012 3:51 pm

Brrrrrr, it's like 70 this morning, but I still gotta ride, gearing up and goin out

KABarash · Post by **KABarash** » Sun Feb 05, 2012 4:00 pm

Wheelz wrote:Brrrrrr, it's like 70 this morning, but I still gotta ride, gearing up and goin out

Sure rub it in!!!
Although this has been the 'softest' winter we've had here in Pa in nearly 20 years.

When I got the first scoot, the Met, my son teased me I didn't ride any time it was near or below 60* !!

still shifting · Post by **still shifting** » Sun Feb 05, 2012 4:09 pm

I so don't miss Northern IL, I was born there. It is tough to ride under 40* but the sun shines here in NM 300 days a year and the roads are mostly dry. Too dry really... But I am riding today, I rode yesterday and Gods willing I will ride tomorrow. And I don't miss those Corn Fields too much. R

peabody99 · Post by **peabody99** » Sun Feb 05, 2012 4:25 pm

you all deserve this break after last winter. I do remember practically going out of my mind not being able to ride for sometimes weeks at a time (and when we did it was COLD) when we lived in Cleveland. I can handle one day off the scooter now, but after the second I start to get cagey.

pampa9 · Post by **pampa9** » Mon Feb 06, 2012 4:43 am

Did it again today. The temp maybe hit 40, but it was sunny. I threw on long johns under the jeans and added my balaclava under the helmet. Also went to 'snowmobile' type gloves. Road about 8 miles for a cup of coffee, then back home......well worth it!

rkcoker · Post by **rkcoker** » Mon Feb 06, 2012 4:48 am

Rode to work tonight in the 40's, my fingers were the only part that bothered me. In the morning it'll be in the 30's riding back. Getting in as much time as I can.

Raiderfn311 · Post by **Raiderfn311** » Mon Feb 06, 2012 3:37 pm

pampa9 wrote:Did it again today. The temp maybe hit 40, but it was sunny. I threw on long johns under the jeans and added my balaclava under the helmet. Also went to 'snowmobile' type gloves. Road about 8 miles for a cup of coffee, then back home......well worth it!

As a commuter I will attest to the "layering". You'll dial in the different arrangements.

Lotrat · Post by **Lotrat** » Mon Feb 06, 2012 3:53 pm

I grew up in Chicago and left 18 years ago. I am happy to pay the sunshine tax. I rode all weekend, spent some time at the beach with the kids, and hit the desert with some dirtbikes. I only miss the pizza.

Raiderfn311 · Post by **Raiderfn311** » Mon Feb 06, 2012 4:06 pm

^^^^Now thats what im taking about!

Lotrat · Post by **Lotrat** » Mon Feb 06, 2012 4:09 pm

Yeah I know... the pizza is awesome in Chicago.

pampa9 · Post by **pampa9** » Mon Feb 06, 2012 4:49 pm

Aurora has at least 5 excellent (my opinion) independent pizza places. Also, there are a couple of chains that are very good. Just thinking about it drives up my cholesterol!

Raiderfn311 · Post by **Raiderfn311** » Mon Feb 06, 2012 5:42 pm

My sister-in-law lived in Chicago for awhile, and she said "deep-dish" all the way. YUMMY.

Lotrat · Post by **Lotrat** » Mon Feb 06, 2012 7:59 pm

No... stuffed! I would give up my fish tacos for a stuffed pizza place here in San Diego.

ChitownDave · Post by **ChitownDave** » Mon Feb 06, 2012 8:12 pm

Lol.
I have yet to stop. I'm in Chicago and ride 7miles one way. Coldest day has been 11 without windchill.

I'm well layered and comfortable. Only two days I've missed were the two it snowed.

CT Dave

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Mon Feb 06, 2012 9:40 pm

I've been dying to get on my scooter the last few weeks, since we've had some nice days that it almost hit 60, and today, well, right now even, it's about 50-ish outside! I don't have a problem riding when it dips to 30, but my bf does, so even in October and November after the first snow fall I was still out and about, but his bike was already put away.
Too bad Serenity is buried in the back of the garage behind a motorcycle, car, and a few kayaks though... also, the vinyl stripes look like torn up crap right now, I still need to get them all the way off.

Oh, and NY pizza all the way

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Tue Feb 07, 2012 6:04 pm

Our snow has kept me off. I think I'll have gone 10 days by the time I get to ride again! AAAGH!

Oh well, at least it was a big storm that shut the city down. We got a little one today that will make the roads crap for the rest of the week, but next week should be warmer and dry.

Modern Buddy

Needed to ride

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Needed to ride