weatherman got my hopes up then reality dashed them

chloefpuff · Post by **chloefpuff** » Mon Jan 18, 2010 12:50 am

Darn you weatherman! You predicted 40 and sunny for today. BUT NO!!!!! It was just regular crummy Michigan winter weather. I was all set to awaken the Tough Bunny from hibernation and try out my Gerbing heated vest.................

jasondavis48108 · Post by **jasondavis48108** » Mon Jan 18, 2010 3:10 am

I've been debating on wether or not to pull the SheBeast out from the back yard, put the battery back in and take her for a spin as well. With the roads so clean here in Ann Arbor I figured it might be worth it but looks like we're gonna get hit with more snow this week

I love Michigan, but I really hate Michigan Winters

chloefpuff · Post by **chloefpuff** » Mon Jan 18, 2010 3:28 am

^+1 to that. Most roads here have been clear for about a week, except for a few. Namely mine. Wanna scoooooooooot

gr8dog · Post by **gr8dog** » Mon Jan 18, 2010 3:56 am

I understand the itch to scoot. I think there is a cream for that itch!

The roads are completely clear of snow and ice but still have a powder of salt all over them. The spring rains will wash that away. As much as I would love to plug the battery back into the scooter and ride I think it is best to wait. Drivers do not expect to see anybody on a scooter or motorcycle this time of year. Civil engineers design roads with driver expectancy in mind. If a road is designed with long gentle curves over long distances then suddenly a sharp, short radius curve is thrown in, that violates driver expectancy. The driver gets used to the gentle curves and does not react well to the unexpected short curve. The same applies to two wheel riding in the off season. Drivers do not expect to see a scooter and therefore do not react properly to their presence.

These are the two big reasons I don't ride in the winter. One: I don't want to see my Buddy decompose before my eyes under the influence of road salt. Two: It's hard enough to navigate city traffic in the summer when lots of bikes are on the road. It's worse in the winter when you are the only bike on the road.

TVB · Post by **TVB** » Mon Jan 18, 2010 12:09 pm

I did it.

Flash and I went to the movies. Left him outside, though.

A bit colder than I was prepared for on the trip home after dark, but it was nice to know that the scoot still works.

The city doesn't have much money for salt, so all I had to look out for was sand/gravel left by the snow... and frost, like I found on my seat when I came out after dark.

chloefpuff · Post by **chloefpuff** » Mon Jan 18, 2010 3:05 pm

^Bah, you're tougher than me, TVB! But we all knew that when you took Flash acoss Big Mac.

jasondavis48108 · Post by **jasondavis48108** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 10:29 pm

I finally got in my 1st ride of 2010! although I had a cop following me almost all the way home. I think its cause I was tucked down and WOT but I was in a 40mph zone and I'm lucky to hit 45 actual on a flat so I can't believe he couldn't find someone faster to pester like a Ford Festiva or something

Regaurdless of the fuzz, it was an awesome ride and I'm glad I did it cause she started up a bit grumpy but nothing like last year when she sat from December till March. I think I'm going to have to make a habit of running her at least once a month even if I don't ride her so she'll start up for me when this Michigan winter is over. I'm gonna try and get out tomorrow as well before we get the rain and snow shower that are forcasted for the forseeable future. I'm hoping I can run the tank down and up some fresh gas and Sea Foam in her.

bluebuddygirl · Post by **bluebuddygirl** » Sat Jan 23, 2010 2:06 am

jasondavis48108 wrote:I finally got in my 1st ride of 2010! although I had a cop following me almost all the way home. I think its cause I was tucked down and WOT but I was in a 40mph zone and I'm lucky to hit 45 actual on a flat so I can't believe he couldn't find someone faster to pester like a Ford Festiva or something

He was probably on his radio the whole time, telling everyone he was following some guy that had to be on drugs to be riding in that weather.

I have been out twice this week. Have gotten some funny looks, especially since we still have some streets with snow (which I skillfully avoided).

jasondavis48108 · Post by **jasondavis48108** » Sat Jan 23, 2010 3:22 am

bluebuddygirl wrote:
jasondavis48108 wrote:I finally got in my 1st ride of 2010! although I had a cop following me almost all the way home. I think its cause I was tucked down and WOT but I was in a 40mph zone and I'm lucky to hit 45 actual on a flat so I can't believe he couldn't find someone faster to pester like a Ford Festiva or something
He was probably on his radio the whole time, telling everyone he was following some guy that had to be on drugs to be riding in that weather.

I have been out twice this week. Have gotten some funny looks, especially since we still have some streets with snow (which I skillfully avoided).

Here the snow is only on the grass, it makes for a really scenic ride

I've been wanting to get the scoot out since last weekend but everytime I was set on doing it the forcast was snow (that never came) the final straw for me was seeing three scooters this week; two buddies and a spree on the road. They can't have all the Michigan winter scoot'n fun!

TVB · Post by **TVB** » Sat Jan 23, 2010 4:05 am

jasondavis48108 wrote:I can't believe he couldn't find someone faster to pester like a Ford Festiva or something

Hey! I used to drive a Festiva. "Steve" got >40mpg way back in Nineteen Ninety (when the only people who knew the word "hybrid" were farmers and geneticists), and it still went twice as fast as my derestricted Buddy 50 does.

Syd · Post by **Syd** » Sat Jan 23, 2010 4:29 am

Nineteen Ninety? I had a Subaru back in Nineteen and Seventy-nine that got 40+mpg and could easily get speeding tickets on the Interstates.

jasondavis48108 · Post by **jasondavis48108** » Sat Jan 23, 2010 5:15 am

TVB wrote:
jasondavis48108 wrote:I can't believe he couldn't find someone faster to pester like a Ford Festiva or something
Hey! I used to drive a Festiva. "Steve" got >40mpg way back in Nineteen Ninety (when the only people who knew the word "hybrid" were farmers and geneticists), and it still went twice as fast as my derestricted Buddy 50 does.

My point exactly, the fuzz needs to harass those gas sipping speed demons, not my little tiny scooter

rajron · Post by **rajron** » Sat Jan 23, 2010 5:01 pm

The weatherman said it might snow; didn’t expect over a foot:
“Inclement Weather” I might miss work!

Cheshire · Post by **Cheshire** » Sat Jan 23, 2010 6:05 pm

Low of 36, high of 47. Oh, goody. 47's not bad at all! I can leave the heavy-duty gloves at home, leave the liners out of the MC pants, and skip the gaiters! It'll be warmish by the time I leave the coffee shop! I can make it to caffeine without heavy gear, then it'll be fine for my commute.

Brr. Or not. 1pm and it's still 37. Booo.