Topic: Motorcycling "Off" Season - What do YOU do?

[desertrefugee]

Not everyone is fortunate enough to be able to ride year 'round. In fact, most either cannot or don't ride 12 months out of the year. Phoenix is no exception. Only a little backward. While as in colder climes, there are a few hardy souls who soldier on and suffer mightily for it, I am not one of them. It's damn hot. Currently, even our small group of riders who do weekend early morning "turnaround" trips to nearby lakes, etc. has suspended operation. When overnight temps don't fall much below 90F (if they even do), it doesn't take much sunlight (which starts coming on around 5AM) to begin to warm things up quickly.

So, it's the Southern Arizona mean season. Motorcycling "Off" season if you will. Since it's getting cost prohibitive to keep the shop cool, activity out there has also dwindled to near nothing. Although I have other activities to keep busy, I am jonesing for a little cycle therapy - wrenching OR riding. Have a road trip scheduled for the California mid-coast, but that's September. Long time 'til then. Best I can do (and have done) until then is to order parts in anticipation of resuming the handful of projects I have prioritized for the upcoming "Season".

What are everyone else's preferred cycle activities during the off season? Am I missing something (besides prowling the forums, reading old Egan articles and back-issues of classic British bike mags)?

[Stev-o]

Hey Darrell....like you, I dont have an off season here in Cen Tex, but when it gets hot, I spend more time on the boat than the bikes. 
But I still like to take at least weekly ride but will do it late afternoon when it cools a bit.  Here's our Monterey 268 SS....




PS.  I use to visit [an old girl] friend that lived in Mesa and we would go up to Lake Roosevelt up in the Superstition Mountains out near you.  Nice area but effing HOT in the summer! I know, I know, it's a dry heat...

[Steve F]

I'm up in Surprise, AZ and it's hot this time of year.  I have the Goldwing, and have toyed with the idea of sneaking out around 9pm and heading for the hills or the White Mountains for a day or two.  Down here in the valley, it's 2 or three months of sticking inside.  Back in Illinois where I came from it was the opposite where you only had 3 months to ride.  I like it here in AZ although it's scorching hot right now, I'll wait and enjoy the rest of the year...... besides that, I HATE WINTER!!!! I REALLY DESPISE THE COLD. 

[70CB750]

There is no off season.

[desertrefugee]

There is no off season.

I'll be sure and check in on you for your mid January Northern Virginia riding activities.

[Stev-o]

There is no off season.

I'll be sure and check in on you for your mid January Northern Virginia riding activities.

Ha...I was thinking the same thing!

[dave500]

we have no off season.

[70CB750]

There is no off season.

I'll be sure and check in on you for your mid January Northern Virginia riding activities.

Oh, will you now?  Here, I will save you the trouble:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,180350.0.html

 Reply #39


http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,183542.msg2147580.html#msg2147580

Reply #154

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,183542.msg2149549.html#msg2149549
 Reply #160

[desertrefugee]

There is no off season.

I'll be sure and check in on you for your mid January Northern Virginia riding activities.

Oh, will you now?  Here, I will save you the trouble:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,180350.0.html

 Reply #39


http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,183542.msg2147580.html#msg2147580

Reply #154

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,183542.msg2149549.html#msg2149549
 Reply #160

Good on you!   ( I would have forgotten anyhow. )

Decades ago, I rode because I had to. Years went by where I didn't own a car. Now I'm not the least bit ashamed to admit I ride for the sheer joy of riding. 40 mile one way commutes to work at 40° f does not fit my criteria fun anymore.   Although I have encountered sub 30° temperatures in the recent past during road trips. That's different.

It's okay for there to be a lull in the action. Makes the real season all the more satisfying.

[BenelliSEI]

Ski!

[ekpent]

I'm up in Surprise, AZ and it's hot this time of year.  I have the Goldwing, and have toyed with the idea of sneaking out around 9pm and heading for the hills or the White Mountains for a day or two.  Down here in the valley, it's 2 or three months of sticking inside.  Back in Illinois where I came from it was the opposite where you only had 3 months to ride.  I like it here in AZ although it's scorching hot right now, I'll wait and enjoy the rest of the year...... besides that, I HATE WINTER!!!! I REALLY DESPISE THE COLD. 

Can usually squeeze rides in for 7 different months here in Michigan. Sept/October are some of my favorites for colors and temps.

[lash]

My winter ride…

[Hoosier Honda]

Can usually squeeze rides in for 7 different months here in Michigan. Sept/October are some of my favorites for colors and temps.

Same.I usually squeeze some in throughout winter if it's at least 40 degrees, Im good for about an hour at that temp. I use to be a road cyclist and rode all year regardless of temp if roads or bike trails were clear. I'm usually wrenching, playing guitar or building/reparing computers on the side during winter though. Anything to keep busy.

[seanbarney41]

Can usually squeeze rides in for 7 different months here in Michigan. Sept/October are some of my favorites for colors and temps.

Same.I usually squeeze some in throughout winter if it's at least 40 degrees, Im good for about an hour at that temp. I use to be a road cyclist and rode all year regardless of temp if roads or bike trails were clear. I'm usually wrenching, playing guitar or building/reparing computers on the side during winter though. Anything to keep busy.

yup, I can think of many years, here in sw. Michigan where I got in at least one ride in all twelve months...38F, is my lower limit.  I won't take my bikes out in heavy road salt so you need some rain to wash it off the roads.  The key is good leather gear.

DesertR, I can't blame you for sitting out the heat.  I have always been much more uncomfortable in the heat than the cold.

If it's too crap outside to ride, I fire up the wood stove and try and get some machinery ready for good weather!

[34barab]

There is no off season.

+1

[70CB750]

Can usually squeeze rides in for 7 different months here in Michigan. Sept/October are some of my favorites for colors and temps.

Same.I usually squeeze some in throughout winter if it's at least 40 degrees, Im good for about an hour at that temp. I use to be a road cyclist and rode all year regardless of temp if roads or bike trails were clear. I'm usually wrenching, playing guitar or building/reparing computers on the side during winter though. Anything to keep busy.

I won't take my bikes out in heavy road salt so you need some rain to wash it off the roads. 

Salt would be stopping me too, luckily it's usually not happening down here. 

[PeWe]

I'm usually complaining about the climate here in Sweden 59-60 degrees north.

It seems that you have even shorter season in north USA/Canada than here?

Bike months the last years have been mid April to Mid October.  (More convenient and longer rides May-mid September.)
Not that many rainy days during the entire autumn and spring as it can.

Plus some days in late March and late October.
My first ride this year was February 28 on my K2!

[CaseyH]

It has a motor but not half as fun
Got picture right second time

[slikwilli420]

When you are keeping bikes in tip-top for race season, the "off" season is really just a longer time between races. Hence, no off season whatsoever, despite living in Michigan.

[74cb750]

I just do lots of beer/drugs/wine/vodka to stay insensate. 

[desertrefugee]

When you are keeping bikes in tip-top for race season, the "off" season is really just a longer time between races. Hence, no off season whatsoever, despite living in Michigan.

Now THIS I like!

[BenelliSEI]

Lots of “mini interruptions” too!

[PeWe]

Lots of “mini interruptions” too!

That's a non sohc ride!

[desertrefugee]

Lots of “mini interruptions” too!

Let it grow!

[BenelliSEI]

Lots of “mini interruptions” too!

That's a non sohc ride!

The tractor belongs to a neighbor . I help with his beans and get to “borrow” for my place. Amazing machine!