- This topic has 8 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 6 months ago by Dagger.
Let it snow.
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October 28, 2009 at 9:39 pm #3534owlieParticipant
Well, riding season lasted a good six weeks longer than I had expected. The last 3-4 weeks have been bitterly cold while riding. I discovered that riding when it is below 50F outside is not my cup of tea, but I took advantage of the clear weather whenever possible.
But yesterday, I got home from work to discover that the sanding trucks had made a round through my neighborhood, which means that the roads were probably slicker than I realized with my studded tires.
Then, today, about halfway through my morning commute, it started snowing. Big, fluffy, wet snowflakes. We’re talking snowflakes the size of gumballs. It didn’t stick, but I do believe that my riding season is over.
So sad.
Self-pity and misery aside… I have added some fuel stabilizer to my tank and plan to disconnect the battery this weekend when I have five minutes to string together (have to take the seat off to get to it). Any other suggestions for winterizing my Thumper?
October 29, 2009 at 12:13 am #23053eternal05ParticipantHere’s a pretty comprehensive guide: http://www.superbikeplanet.com/winterize.htm
It’s nowhere near as cold down here as it is in Alaska I’m sure, but I know what you mean about cold riding not being fun. Right now we’re getting mid-40s days, and with windchill, my fingers go numb pretty fast. No fun at all. Waaaaah, waaah, mid-40s. Hah! Probably sound so weenie compared to what you face. What is it up there? 25 on the average day?
October 29, 2009 at 7:12 pm #23061eonParticipantProbably a stupid question but do you get much snow in Alaska? I’m thinking you are near the ocean so that’s probably a resounding yes. If it was cold but dry then I’m sure you could continue riding with the appropriate heated gear. Been seeing a few announcements on improvements from Gerbing and GoreTex recently. Freezing temperatures and wet roads are enough to keep me off the road though. Thankfully it is mostly just wet over the winter here, does not get below freezing too often (I think, I’ve only been here 3 winters).
Or we could all just be snowbirds and descend on Elwood for a few months. 90′ and blue skies sounds nice right now.
October 30, 2009 at 3:01 am #23063JtownJJAParticipantI’ll join in there with you on the cold weather blues. I fear that today may have been the last good day for riding and due to other circumstances, I didn’t have the chance to get out there any. We’ve got dipping temperatures and more rain in our weekend forecast, and who knows what is to come next week. I bought the fuel stablizer earlier this week, and I’m planning to get a battery tender jr. soon. However, I’m not ready to put the bike to bed for it’s winter hibernation yet.
October 31, 2009 at 12:06 am #23080owlieParticipantThanks for the link. We’ll see out far I get with some of it. Spark plugs? what are those for? Okay, I’m not that bad…
Generally, we have been in the mid 40s for about a month. Usually we have had our first good snow by now, but we haven’t seen any accumulation yet this year.
In Anchorage, winter generally runs in the mid 20s. At my home (which is not right on the water), we run 10-20 degrees cooler than Anchorage.
October 31, 2009 at 12:15 am #23081owlieParticipantIt really depends on the winter. If the way this one has started out is any indication, it is going to be a warm dry winter. Last year was bitterly cold and dry. The year before was warm and wet (either rain or snow or both).
Personally, I am unwilling to take the risk of riding now that the tempuratures are hovering around freezing. Even when it warms up, the icy patches on the road may or may not go away. It usually takes several days of temps in the 50s and warmer before the ice is all gone. Also, the amount of gravel on the roads increases exponentially. My windsheild has been hit three times this week on my drive in with gravel (while driving on a major highway).
As for Seattle, if you made it through the insanity last winter, I think you’ll be fine. One of my friends moved down there about two years ago from Anchorage, and she thought the local’s reaction was hilarious…
I like your snowbird idea, but I’m afraid I’d have to leave my husband. I don’t think that would work out too well….
October 31, 2009 at 12:19 am #23082owlieParticipantI wavered back and forth on it for a few weeks. But I was only getting out to ride once a week or so between work, weather, and other things going on. And we had to get our deck stuff inside which (for this year at least) means turning the garage into a gigantic 3-D jigsaw puzzle. But the snow is what really decided me (even if it isn’t sticking yet). I just don’t want to take the chance that the road is slicker than I think it is.
October 31, 2009 at 2:12 am #23086eonParticipantI think you are wise just to park up for the winter. No point taking unnecessary risks. I was stuck indoors for the 2 weeks we had snow last year. On new years day I think it was the snow was gone and it was a cold dry day. I was itching to get out so I went on a little run. I was having a great time but about 30 miles from home I noticed the rivers I was passing were frozen over. At that point I decided to head home but almost immediately it started snowing. I made it home safely but I thought I had pushed my luck a little too much that day. Stayed closer to home after that till things had warmed up considerably.
October 31, 2009 at 8:00 pm #23089DaggerParticipantWhat’s this snow stuff you all keep talking about?
Hmmm…
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