END OF THE RIDING SEASON

[Nortoon_imp]

My riding season has come to an end. When I left home at 10AM this morning is was a balmy 10C/52F with 32KPH/20 MPH wind gusts. I was dressed in my usual layers of cold weather clothing and wore nylon winter mitts. A little clumsy, but they kept my hands warm until lunch time, when I could change to my leather insulated gauntlets. After lunch it climbed to a scorching 18C/64F.

I have about 100 back road maps that range from 1 to 1 1/2 hours of riding, and their reverse routes. Today I used several of the reverse routes. What a pleasant surprize. It was like riding completely new roads. Although I was in cruise mode, the reverse curves were a new challenge. Because a lot of the deciduous trees have already lost their leaves, there were views of previously unseen lakes and other scenery.

I do not usually ride on weekends to avoid the tourist traffic and dang motorcycles. This afternoon I spent a lot of time waving a passing bikes. I think every motorcyclist in the area realized this was our last mild day. Highs for the next week are in the 40sF with numerous days of rain.

I rode a long as I could, but dark skies, increasing winds, and the impending rain chased me home after only 286 kilometers/178miles. Had I been able to ride another 248 kilometers/154 miles, I would have made my 11,000 kilometer/6835 mile season average.

Overall it has been a pleasant summer, and I thoroughly enjoyed my new CB1100 EX. But unfortunately the time has come to put my summer toys away.

 

[Rocky_imp]

My riding season has come to an end. When I left home at 10AM this morning is was a balmy 10C/52F with 32KPH/20 MPH wind gusts. I was dressed in my usual layers of cold weather clothing and wore nylon winter mitts. A little clumsy, but they kept my hands warm until lunch time, when I could change to my leather insulated gauntlets. After lunch it climbed to a scorching 18C/64F.

I have about 100 back road maps that range from 1 to 1 1/2 hours of riding, and their reverse routes. Today I used several of the reverse routes. What a pleasant surprize. It was like riding completely new roads. Although I was in cruise mode, the reverse curves were a new challenge. Because a lot of the deciduous trees have already lost their leaves, there were views of previously unseen lakes and other scenery.

I do not usually ride on weekends to avoid the tourist traffic and dang motorcycles. This afternoon I spent a lot of time waving a passing bikes. I think every motorcyclist in the area realized this was our last mild day. Highs for the next week are in the 40sF with numerous days of rain.

I rode a long as I could, but dark skies, increasing winds, and the impending rain chased me home after only 286 kilometers/178miles. Had I been able to ride another 248 kilometers/154 miles, I would have made my 11,000 kilometer/6835 mile season average.

Overall it has been a pleasant summer, and I thoroughly enjoyed my new CB1100 EX. But unfortunately the time has come to put my summer toys away.

Yes, unfortunately, the season is almost over for me too.
We've been having amazingly mild weather for this time of year, but one of these days reality will hit and it will be over.
Probably next week I'll be thinking of mothballs

 

[Mandrau_imp]

Not many bikes on the road here in Sudbury as well. My bike goes into storage Nov. 1. Might be sunny today and able to go for a spin around town.

 

[paulw_imp]

Pretty much over here but it has been a good one for a variety of reasons. I bought my CB in April during a long course of chemo. I was weak and was barely able to ride it the two hours from the dealership in Indianapolis to home here in Plymouth. A week later I dropped it in the garage. No damage to the bike or me but was starting to wonder whether I would ever be really able to ride it. I started riding it a few miles every few days.

The goal was to be able to participate with two friends in our annual (15 years and counting) West Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky trip. I continued to work at through the summer and with a change in chemo type I slowly built up strength and stamina.

The trip went without a hitch and although I only put a total of 3700 miles on the bike this year I am grateful to have had it and look forward to next year with more miles and travels. God willing and if the creeks don't rise.

 

[the Ferret]

Sorry the season is over for you gents, but at least it sounds like they were all rewarding summers for you.

Getting nippy here too. yesterday afternoons ride it was 39 F , and I am getting ready to head out on todays ride and it is 38 F. I will be dressed for it and running my electrics. I won't quit riding until ice or snow coats the roads. Hoping for a mild winter lol

 

[valkanut_imp]

Sorry the season is over for you gents, but at least it sounds like they were all rewarding summers for you.

Getting nippy here too. yesterday afternoons ride it was 39 F , and I am getting ready to head out on todays ride and it is 38 F. I will be dressed for it and running my electrics. I won't quit riding until ice or snow coats the roads. Hoping for a mild winter lol

i thing it was my last one too yesterday...hoping mother,s nature will be cuss up again for a few more week-end. lol
long winter's coming. snif,snif

 

[Cbgaz_imp]

It’s not the cold over here it’s the bloody rain, seems to always be raining, although we are due this week for cold air (artic blast)coming down from Iceland. So I think I won’t bother riding for a while. Starts warming up in about March here.

 

[emptysea]

I break my riding logs into "In Season" and "Out of Season" sections. I am able to ride year around, but even so I view the end of October as the end of the season for me. It's sunny today, but chilly. I think I may use this thread as a little inspiration to saddle up for my "last ride".

 

[Mandrau_imp]

Pretty much over here but it has been a good one for a variety of reasons. I bought my CB in April during a long course of chemo. I was weak and was barely able to ride it the two hours from the dealership in Indianapolis to home here in Plymouth. A week later I dropped it in the garage. No damage to the bike or me but was starting to wonder whether I would ever be really able to ride it. I started riding it a few miles every few days.

The goal was to be able to participate with two friends in our annual (15 years and counting) West Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky trip. I continued to work at through the summer and with a change in chemo type I slowly built up strength and stamina.

The trip went without a hitch and although I only put a total of 3700 miles on the bike this year I am grateful to have had it and look forward to next year with more miles and travels. God willing and if the creeks don't rise.

Appreciate your “Gusto.” Very inspiring. Thank you.

 

[Chris Goldson_imp]

Still a bit longer yet but definitely into hibernation once the salt arrives

Pretty much over here but it has been a good one for a variety of reasons. I bought my CB in April during a long course of chemo. I was weak and was barely able to ride it the two hours from the dealership in Indianapolis to home here in Plymouth. A week later I dropped it in the garage. No damage to the bike or me but was starting to wonder whether I would ever be really able to ride it. I started riding it a few miles every few days.

The goal was to be able to participate with two friends in our annual (15 years and counting) West Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky trip. I continued to work at through the summer and with a change in chemo type I slowly built up strength and stamina.

The trip went without a hitch and although I only put a total of 3700 miles on the bike this year I am grateful to have had it and look forward to next year with more miles and travels. God willing and if the creeks don't rise.

Appreciate your “Gusto.” Very inspiring. Thank you.

Appreciate your “Gusto.” Very inspiring. Thank you.

 

[use2b_imp]

I can see why most very nice old bikes come from up north. a cool 65 came in over night but a good week ahead . You guys should come on down for the cold months and go back home when it gets hot down here , so many do.

OCT 30 Sunny70°56° 0%
OCT 31 Sunny75°61° 0%
NOV 1 Mostly Sunny76°67° 0%
NOV 2 Partly Cloudy78°67° 0%
NOV 3 Mostly Sunny77°66° 10%
NOV 4 Sunny78°66°10%
NOV 5 Mostly Sunny79°67° 10%
NOV 6 Sunny78°66° 10%
NOV 7 Mostly Sunny78°66° 10%
NOV 8 Partly Cloudy76°63° 20%
NOV 9 Mostly Sunny75°62° 20%
NOV 10 Partly Cloudy74°61° 20%
NOV 11 AM Showers 74°62° 50%
NOV 12 PM Showers74°63° 40%

 

[Nortoon_imp]

Winter has come to Ottawa. Yesterday afternoon we had freezing rain, last night 2 inches of snow. Tomorrow the high will be -4C 25F.

Didn't stop me from grilling some lamb chops for supper, although I did have to sit in garage to stay out of the cold wind.

Time to start reading my 2017 Honda Service Manual. I better make good use out of it. By the time it reached my door it cost $140 Canadian with handling, shipping, currency exchange, and sales taxes.

 

[SportsterDoc]

You have my sympathy. I have wintered in Illinois and New Jersey (thank you, Uncle Sam), which is probably not as cold.

Just to add to the tease from use2B, 80F is forecast for Las Vegas on Turkey Day and 83F where I plan to be in Northern Arizona.

 

[flynrider]

Same here. Local forecast for Thursday is a warm 89F. Fortunately, I'll be in Southern NM where it will be a more reasonable 75F.

 

[the Ferret]

It was flurrying on my ride yesterday, but it was 37 degrees so it wasn't sticking.

 

[kennyw]

My ride to work looks a little wet today. 45*F at least.

 

[Nortoon_imp]

My ride to work looks a little wet today. 45*F at least.

You are much braver than I am. I am retired, so I only ride for pleasure. My spring and fall rides are a minimum of 55F in the morning and 60+F in the afternoon. In late October I had to wait until 10 or 11 AM to get started. But half a comfortable ride is better than long cold one.

My EX is under a dust cover in the garage, and the battery in the basement. It will be May before I can ride again. My fresh air and sunshine will be my daily walks on the local nature trail until then. Fortunately I have other hobbies that will keep me busy in the winter.

 

[Rocky_imp]

My ride to work looks a little wet today. 45*F at least.

You are much braver than I am. I am retired, so I only ride for pleasure. My spring and fall rides are a minimum of 55F in the morning and 60+F in the afternoon. In late October I had to wait until 10 or 11 AM to get started. But half a comfortable ride is better than long cold one.

My EX is under a dust cover in the garage, and the battery in the basement. It will be May before I can ride again. My fresh air and sunshine will be my daily walks on the local nature trail until then. Fortunately I have other hobbies that will keep me busy in the winter.

You are much braver than I am. I am retired, so I only ride for pleasure. My spring and fall rides are a minimum of 55F in the morning and 60+F in the afternoon. In late October I had to wait until 10 or 11 AM to get started. But half a comfortable ride is better than long cold one.

My EX is under a dust cover in the garage, and the battery in the basement. It will be May before I can ride again. My fresh air and sunshine will be my daily walks on the local nature trail until then. Fortunately I have other hobbies that will keep me busy in the winter.
That sounds a like lot me. I'm also retired and ride for pleasure when and where I like.
I'm able to wheel the CB inside my basement for the winter where it's warm and dry. That's where it is now.
If I'm lucky it will be mid-April before it's fit to ride again.
I too have other hobbies and interests that I can turn to in the winter.
I'm the secretary/treasurer of a 149 member vintage bike club and I spend quite a bit of time keeping the club on the straight and narrow all year long

 

[the Ferret]

I am also retired and ride strictly for pleasure when and where I like. It pleases me to ride every day regardless of weather * (with the exception of accumulated snow or ice). Yesterday was my 300th day of riding this year. Last year I rode 323 days. If I can run the table this year it will be 342 days. Jan and Feb can be iffy, but most of the rest of the year is passable if you can endure a bit of heat, cold or rain. I missed 13 days in January this year due to ice/snow and 3 days in February, other than that it's been a pretty good year for riding.

 

[peterbaron]

All these who still have riding opportunity should be banned from posting comments...so the others cannot be jealous...LOL...

My white horse is already winterized



pb