Who's still riding? (Fall 2016 / Winter 2017 edition)

Temperatures sound good...but roads will be sloppy.

There's a video going around online right now of a guy who was out on the 401 in the snowstorm this eve. That's a whole different level of either dedicated, or a bit crazy.
 
The DRZ was parked in front of the snowblower tonight when I went out to clear the driveway. Had to move it anyways, so I went for a rip around the neighbourhood real quick before the snow plows came through. Might actually throw the helmet on tomorrow and venture a little further as long as the roads are snow covered.
 
apparently him:

[video]https://www.facebook.com/kingsbarrie/videos/1878783892403879/[/video]
 
PrivatePilot said:
Temperatures sound good...but roads will be sloppy.

There's a video going around online right now of a guy who was out on the 401 in the snowstorm this eve. That's a whole different level of either dedicated, or a bit crazy.
Click to expand...

-riding on the snowy 401 after sundown
-snow hides debris and potholes
-surrounded by drivers fiddling with cellphones
-many vehicles don't run snow tires
-driving and riding too fast for conditions is common

A generous conclusion might be that this person is displaying poor risk assessment.
 
Flywheel said:
-riding on the snowy 401 after sundown
-snow hides debris and potholes
-surrounded by drivers fiddling with cellphones
-many vehicles don't run snow tires
-driving and riding too fast for conditions is common

A generous conclusion might be that this person is displaying poor risk assessment.
Click to expand...

Personally, I think your last line sums it up, at least in my opinion. Riding is a lot about risk, and risk mitigation. There are already a ton of hazards out there for us, and I just don't see the point (personally) in taking on all the extra ones to ride in the winter, let alone on a day like yesterday/the conditions in that video. It's not even about the rider being competent or not...if a car around them has an issue and slide into them or spins out, that could be the end of the rider.
 
It is safest to stay home and watch TV. Some people are better riders than others, some can take more risk than others. Everyone makes their own decisions and lives with the rewards/consequences. I ride in winter.
 
I agree, on a day like that when it's good for all vehicles to stay off the road why ride a motorcycle? I think he probably went to work in the morning and didn't expect the snow in the evening. Some people don't have a car and if you miss the bus, well you just might take chances to get to work on time. My concern about videos like this is that they may encourage law makers to pass laws limiting motorcycles to a April 1 to November 1 riding season. That would suck, since I like to do the occasional tuttle in the country on a warm winter day.
 
conundrum said:
Personally, I think your last line sums it up, at least in my opinion. Riding is a lot about risk, and risk mitigation. There are already a ton of hazards out there for us, and I just don't see the point (personally) in taking on all the extra ones to ride in the winter, let alone on a day like yesterday/the conditions in that video. It's not even about the rider being competent or not...if a car around them has an issue and slide into them or spins out, that could be the end of the rider.
Click to expand...

I agree, it comes down to risk assessment. I ride in the winter, but by winter I mean "Cold" - not in the snow and not roads pasted in salt and sand. But when the roads clear up decent and the weather is passable, I don't care if it's January, I go out. Some people think I'm nuts for doing so, but the risk is low aside from getting cold - I ride according to conditions.

That said, the risk is definitely higher for a guy out in the snow. That guy can be the best rider in the world who might ride circles around all of us here, but it's going to do him no good when some clown catches a rut of snow and spins out in front of him, or someone behind him can't stop in time and runs into the back of him. The risk of operating around others may far outweigh the risk of the rider alone in this scenario.

Roadghost said:
My concern about videos like this is that they may encourage law makers to pass laws limiting motorcycles to a April 1 to November 1 riding season. That would suck, since I like to do the occasional tuttle in the country on a warm winter day.
Click to expand...

It'll only take one rider like that guy crashing and getting run over by a semi (with the resulting news coverage) to get the governments eyes on that, agreed. It's bad enough this video has gone viral online.
 
Roadghost said:
My concern about videos like this is that they may encourage law makers to pass laws limiting motorcycles to a April 1 to November 1 riding season. That would suck, since I like to do the occasional tuttle in the country on a warm winter day.
Click to expand...

If they adjust insurance rates accordingly I would be okay with this, but we all know that won't happen.
 
Supernam said:
If they adjust insurance rates accordingly I would be okay with this, but we all know that won't happen.
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We already pay basically nothing for the winter months of insurance coverage here in Ontario. The payments you make in the winter go towards what would otherwise be higher payments for the actual riding season months.
 
Went out for a bit today. Inside of my visor started to ice over, turned into a real sh*t show.

[video]https://youtu.be/txX0TjSmDTY[/video]
 
sundayforecast.jpg


Eyeballing Sunday....the lead up to it looks like the roads might clear up enough to make a prospect for a scoot.
 
Holy crap....the long weekend forecast is spectacular. 11 degrees Saturday and sunny, 9 degrees Sunday and sunny, and still 9 degrees on the holiday Monday, but cloudy.

Will definately be getting a scoot in.
 
PrivatePilot said:
Holy crap....the long weekend forecast is spectacular. 11 degrees Saturday and sunny, 9 degrees Sunday and sunny, and still 9 degrees on the holiday Monday, but cloudy.

Will definately be getting a scoot in.
Click to expand...

11 on Sat? Would be nice...but in Oshawa shows only 5 for Sat and 6 for Sunday.
Are you sure you live in Durham?:D
 
I'm showing 9 degrees both days

https://www.theweathernetwork.com/ca/14-day-weather-trend/ontario/mississauga

But as I mentioned before S Ontario is right on the border of the southern warm air mass that was pushing insane high temps further south and the the northern cool air mass out of Alberta so could swing either way....

Looking at it on radar tho I'd tend to think cooler but it's still a ways off.
 
I'm using the Environment Canada Toronto forecast which is showing a warmer outlook vs The Weather Network.

Considering the nature of long-term forecasts I'll opt to believe the rosier one at this point. ;)
 
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