Highlander
01-24-2004, 08:30 AM
Rode 60 miles yesterday. :o4: It was 13 degrees when I left for work. Stayed warm all the way. Saw a group of college girls probably headed home from a shift at the hospital at 3 AM. I was stopped for a train. It was 13 degrees and their windows still had a little ice around the edges. The passenger window, they were on my left side, slowly descended until about three to four inched of face was visable, and the passenger said: "Are you nuts?" This must be the Chicago or big city derivation on the old, "This boy ain't right." Since I had on the balaclava and full face helmet, they could not see my smile, so I said: “I was thinking the same thing about you guys. Why ride in a metallic and glass cage when you can enjoy the weather.” I guess that pretty well answered their question, because the window looked like it had a supercharger attached as it screamed shut. :D
That afternoon, on the way home I saw a Harley and a Road Star, it was about 35. The poor guy on the Harley had a bare face and no helmet. That foam liner in the helmets is like the styrofoam in those coolers – it does keep the cold off the brain. Even if you are anti-helmet, at least wear a face wrap and wool hat. Even in 40 degree weather, you lose a lot of body heat from that noggin. Once you are cold, you make silly mistakes. I guess the concentration you should be devoting to the road is transferred to the body. It doesn’t take much to miss a shiney spot that could be ice and find yourself in an unexpected skid. I have found your reaction time is slowed by the cold too.
Today, a group of us are riding, but it is already 38. :pepper1: It's nice when you ride down the road and the cars you pass are thinking "Those dudes ain't right." For years I thought I was the only "ain't right" dude down here. Maybe the fever is catching. :twisted:
As we ride today, we will dedicate the ride to all of you who cannot, for one reason or the other, do the same. I do live to ride, and the weather is of little consequence. :lol:
That afternoon, on the way home I saw a Harley and a Road Star, it was about 35. The poor guy on the Harley had a bare face and no helmet. That foam liner in the helmets is like the styrofoam in those coolers – it does keep the cold off the brain. Even if you are anti-helmet, at least wear a face wrap and wool hat. Even in 40 degree weather, you lose a lot of body heat from that noggin. Once you are cold, you make silly mistakes. I guess the concentration you should be devoting to the road is transferred to the body. It doesn’t take much to miss a shiney spot that could be ice and find yourself in an unexpected skid. I have found your reaction time is slowed by the cold too.
Today, a group of us are riding, but it is already 38. :pepper1: It's nice when you ride down the road and the cars you pass are thinking "Those dudes ain't right." For years I thought I was the only "ain't right" dude down here. Maybe the fever is catching. :twisted:
As we ride today, we will dedicate the ride to all of you who cannot, for one reason or the other, do the same. I do live to ride, and the weather is of little consequence. :lol: