Topic: December Riding in Minnesota

[flyin_]

We got a great treat today in Minnesota.  When I saw 45 degrees on the thermometer this morning the first thing I did was dig out the riding gear and unwinterize the CB750.   I rode about 125 miles today and even took a ride past the local ski resort.  I rode right up to the hilltop entrance about 50' from the chair lift.  The red blob in between the trees on the picture is a skier just getting off the lift.  I should have taken a real camera instead of my phone. 

There were only a few scary spots on shady roads and the salt wasn't too think yet. 

Its a good thing it stayed warm since the CB kept blowing the fuse in my heated vest.

[medic09]

Watch for icy patches in shady spots and under bridges.  I've noticed a few around here.

Sounds like a great ride!

[paxtonpony]

Good on ya bro!  Me and the wife had a good laugh about the skier in the background.  45 degrees is still kinda cold but not when ya have an itch to ride.  Careful on those icy spots, that bike is way too nice to slide on the ice.  Very sweet ride!

[Jay B]

Me and my buddy put on about 50 or so today here in SE South Dakota. He and I have went about 6 years now, riding at least 10 miles every month. Sometimes its damned cold, but we haven't had a month yet wecouldn't put at least 10 on. We figger it takes 10 to quaify for a ride. It's a pride thing I guess.

[Bodain]

I recall many years ago..... I was about 22 ish... Lived in Iowa... My only transportation was a bike. So it was ridden all winter, even on snowpacked roads. Not fun, but if it's all you have, you do what you must.

A trip I took many years ago come to mind. I left eastern Iowa, headed for western Colorado. This had to be about 1975, 1976. It was April.... My steed was a Kawasaki Z1. I knew it was way too early in the year to be crossing the continental divide on a bike. So I took a southern route via south Kansas. I needed to cross the rockies but in April prefer to do it in southern Colorado. Needless to say I hit a blizzard in southern Kansas... No big deal.. Hide in a hotel for two days. The roads were clear and I was on my way. The rest of the ride to Grand Junction was uneventful. I did my two weeks in Colorado and it was time to come home. This time I wasn't so smart. I decided to come straight east on IH 70. I would have to cross Loveland pass. This predated the Eisenhower tunnel.

I started up the the western slope and the roads only got worse. The weather was cold, but fine. Naturally as I rose in elevation, the roads became snowpacked.  I thought I might die on that mountain. I fell down more than once. One time on the downward slope I went down. The car behind me hit his brakes, but couldn't stop on the snow.. So the Kaw and I are sliding on ice in the horizontal position. The car behind me makes contact with me and the bike and we all just slide, eventually stopping. I'm up and on the road again. I'm sure all those cage drivers thought I was insane.  When I finally got out of the elevation and hit dry roads again. I was quit relieved.   

Now that I'm older and wiser I live in Texas where the best riding is the winter months. The only way I want to travel cross county is in a controlled environment.

[kettlesd]

Man yo gotta love those "stolen" winter rides when you think she's gone away for the season!!

[ieism]

Hey Flyin, that's a great looking bike you have. Do you have some more pics of it somewhere?

[tramp]

supposed to be almost 50 here by thursday
i knew i didn't winterize my bike for a good reason

[medic09]

   Ice on the roads up here.  Was going to do the interstate commute on my bike anyway (~29 degrees F), till the wife came in and told me there's patches of ice out there.  Gotta draw the line somewhere.  I'll trade in the 80 mph wind/chill factor for Subaru with heated seats.

He who rides and walks away, lives to ride another day?   

[Chris Schneiter]

Winter riding hasn't seemed much of a treat since in the '80's, I had a 250 Yamaha Enduro as my only means of transportating...like clockwork, I'd get 2 miles from home, the plugs would foul, and I'd push it home!