Riding to warm up

[the Ferret]

Was 30 degrees when I took off on this morning's ride but the roads were dry and clear. About 15 miles into my ride I came across one of those photographable "milestone" moments Ptero talks about ..(look at the odometer)

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Anyhow I was riding over to one of the local State Parks to sit by the lake and drink a cup of tea. It's one of my favorite rides. 60 miles round trip, with several of my favorite curvy roads and one giant downhill (or uphill depending on direction riding) sweeper curve. There is a picnic table by the lake I like to sit at, and depending on time of year you get to see waterfowl, swimmers or ..nothing. Today it would be nothing.

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As I sat there drinking my tea, it started snowing pretty hard.

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It takes me about 20 mins to drink a thermos of tea. In that time the heat from my electric jacket liner and heated grips had worn off and I was starting to feel the cold. I thought I need to get back on the bike and ride so I can warm up . Sounds crazy right? lol Made me laugh.

Good gear makes all the difference for riding in this kind of weather. Here's the cockpit of the ST. Little square controller on the right sticking out of mitt controls the heated grips. Controller for heated jacket liner is in right pocket of tank bag. Snowmobile mitts keep the wind off, creates a pocket of warmth with the heated grips which allows the use of thin gloves. Fairing and windshield block the cold wind.

So, started the bike, punched the heated grips button for 40% power and let them start heating up, placed the empty thermos in the tank bag. Plugged my two wires for the jacket liner in and turned it to about 75% power climbed on and took off. Before I made it a mile I was toasty warm for the ride home.

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The snow flurries weren't sticking to the road and the roads were still fine. By the time I got home it had started to accumulate on the deck, but still not on the driveway or sidewalk. Don't imagine it's going to amount to much.

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