Frozen

[the Ferret]

Sorry for the thread title, my 2 yo grandson has to watch a movie by that name every Friday when I babysit him, but thought it was appropriate title for today's ride.

Day started off at 17 degrees but by the time I took off it was 25. I was snug riding the ST and wearing my electrics. About 20 miles from home on the other side of the county, I passed this creek which had this cool multi tiered partially frozen waterfall. The pic does not do it justice. it was stunning

[url=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/theferret111/media/Jan282015ride004_zpsa5d71731.jpg.html]

while taking a picture of it, my brother happened to come by in his pick up and offered to snap a pic of me. (notice I am parked on the "Cormanus" side of the road lol) the falls is over the hill behind me in this pic about 30 feet down.

[url=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/theferret111/media/Jan282015ride007_zps7afecb9b.jpg.html]

Since we are both technically retired and had nowhere to be, we decided to go warm up with some of Cinti's famous Skyline Chili.
After lunch, he went home and I continued up the road a ways until I crossed a bridge with a neat frozen creek behind it. Another pic opportunity.

[url=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/theferret111/media/Jan282015ride008_zpsf94c5b0e.jpg.html]

Further along there was a place where there were holes in the ice and the flowing creek water was burbling thru the holes and disappearing back under the ice only to resurface in a new hole. Again the pic just does not do it justice.

[url=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/theferret111/media/Jan282015ride009_zps23855358.jpg.html]

Winter has it's own beauty for motorcyclists, if you are willing to look for it.

73 miles on todays ride.

[HikerToo_imp]

Do you ever come across a section of road that is frozen over, you have to point your bike, don't move, and glide across it, maybe with your feet hanging down? Somehow I remember that uncertain feel from riding in the middle of winter years ago....

[the Ferret]

Hiker once in awhile. Mostly because I live in hilly country and sometimes snow melts on the high side, runs across the road, and refreezes overnight and I hit it the next day. I just adjust trajectory so I am straight up and down, hit it straight on, steady throttle and go across. Never hit a BIG section (more than a bike length) of it though, but I wouldn't be opposed to turning around in front of a big section and going another way.

Saw a picture of one patch on the ST forum 2 lanes wide and probably 60' long. I would not even attempt going across that on a motorcycle. One guy did safely, but most were going around it through a barn yard.

[rboe]

Years ago on the way to work I had to pick up our mechanic (I worked at a Honda/Suzuki dealership) then take the High Bridge (now known as the Blatnik Bridge) that connected Duluth and Superior. I noticed the hoar frost on the over pass railing (those large round pipes - all nice and white and fuzzy).

Where ever the road had air under it there was ice on the surface. Too late; we were on our way. Hit the bridge, noticed truck trailer tire tracks that seemed to cross - and I only had two lanes to work with. Well behind me, but not far enough for my well being, was a tanker truck.

And the bridge has a nice smooth turn in it. Smooth yes, still a turn.

Steve my mechanice, unknown to me, dropped his feet down to test the surface - like glass.

I kept it smooth, no throttle adjustments, no braking; we zipped over that bridge and made it to in one piece. Metzler tires. I was too young to make it a white knuckle event; not sure I could repeat it today!

[Rocky_imp]

My helmet is off to you for getting out there regardless

[Cormanus]

My helmet is off to you for getting out there regardless

I'm with you, Rocky. I just don't want to watch the video replays. All too unnerving.

[OldF7Guy_imp]

Great pics man. Ferret, I gotta hand it to you. There is not an iota of a chance a battery will go flat, or the gas will go stale, or the tires will dry rot on one of your motorcycles. You are one tough hombre man and I am glad to see you be able to enjoy motorcycle riding 12 months out of the year. Im south of you about 150 miles so I know what the climate is where you are at.

PS: That ST1300 looks like it needs a bath.

[emptysea]

Great pics, Mick. stay warm

[the Ferret]

PS: That ST1300 looks like it needs a bath. Big Grin

Yea but it's too cold to squirt water, it will just freeze. Will get a bath sometime in March