Who's still riding? Fall & Winter 2022 (& 2023!) edition!

[adri]

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I agree with LBV. We all have different standards and limits, and shouldn't be criticized for them. Despite recent efforts to the contrary, this is still a free world.

As for the conditions I ride in, I think most of you would agree that it's no more dangerous than summer driving, if you knew all the details.
First, I've never been cold. Fingers are never stiff.
Next, I have proper gear for warmth and safety, including a fog-free helmet and winter tires.
I ride a 30 minutes commute using country roads. No heavy traffic, but frequent traffic. I live on the edge of town and commute to a low-density populated city (if that makes sense).
I always make sure road conditions are good. My wife, strangely, has the same commute as I do but leaves two hours ahead of me. She warms me if the conditions are too harsh. I.e. snow-blown roads, strong winds, etc..
The only risk I see that may be higher is that other drivers are even more likely to overlook a motorcycle in winter. For this reason, I installed a Denali Soundbomb which sounds pretty close to a transport truck's horn.
My rules are: Dry roads only unless I KNOW the roads are salted, and even than I'm careful, especially on turns. No riding in snow. Always check the forecast for snow and rain.

Part of the reason I chose to ride through winter was to test my endurance and see if it can be safely done and tolerated. Turns out, I actually enjoy it! It's not as bad as you might think, and it's very enjoyable. I encourage anyone with the proper equipment to give it a go.

The thing I hate about riding in winter is the prep time for getting geared up: tape the pant legs, put on over-pants, tuck inner lining into the boots and tape that, put on jacket and zip it to the pants, buckle a strap around the waist to prevent draft. Oops, forgot the balaclava! Undo both layers of the jacket to tuck in the balaclava... Damn, l forgot to put the earbuds in. Twist the balaclava around to fit the buds in tight. Put on the helmet. Plug in the helmet. Put on the gloves. Oops, take off one glove to start the dash cam. Put on the glove. Go.

Fairweather riders can't even fathom that this is just what you do when you ride year round, and it's just normal, like doing up your shoelaces.

The having the wife do the same route ahead of you is very cool though. That's a lucky break. Definitely jealous of that.

 

[PacoT]

Question. When do you consider that the roads are "clean enough" to go for a ride?

It will be my first time riding after a Canadian winter; after reading some comments, I understood that salt and brine are no good for your motorcycle (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong). But when do you consider that they have washed out enough to go out for a ride?

 

[WestBrantKid]

Question. When do you consider that the roads are "clean enough" to go for a ride?

It will be my first time riding after a Canadian winter; after reading some comments, I understood that salt and brine are no good for your motorcycle (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong). But when do you consider that they have washed out enough to go out for a ride?

For me, it's a matter of keeping the bike clean and lubed, not how clean the roads are.
If you're concerned though, I guess you wait till you see the street sweepers have been out. It's the sandy corners that'll get you if you aren't careful.

 

[xrljoel]

Careful, grumpy grumps missing out on all the fun are going to get upset with you for not being a pansy.

Motorcyclists: I hate when people tell us "Riding motorcycles is dangerous. You're going to die. Trust me. I've never actually done it but I have a cousin's neighbour's dog walker that crashed and died so I'm an expert."

also (certain) Motorcyclists to other motorcyclists: Riding in the winter time is dangerous. You're going to die. Trust me. I've never actually done it but I have a cousin's neighbour's dog walker that crashed and died so I'm an expert.

Imagine being what you hate? That's gotta suck.

Have fun, ride safe, enjoy life

Hey,

You do you.

I rode year round back when I had to. Now I don't have to and don't want to.

Those cold but clear days when the forks would barely move because the oil was thick were bad, but the days when it snowed between when I arrived at school and started home were MUCH worse. Riding in a driving wet snow storm wasn't particularly fun (or smart really).

It doesn't make me (or anyone else) a "pansy" for not riding in winter anymore that it makes you tougher or a hero for doing it.

 

[Evoex]

Who said it wasn't more dangerous. You're making up words I didn't say.

Glad we agree.

 

[adri]

Another dangerous, dangerous, adventure. This time to Service Ontario on Dufferin St.

Come by and say hello. It looks like I'll be here for a while. The only scary part is the line up ahead of me.

 

[adri]

Hey,

You do you.

I rode year round back when I had to. Now I don't have to and don't want to.

Those cold but clear days when the forks would barely move because the oil was thick were bad, but the days when it snowed between when I arrived at school and started home were MUCH worse. Riding in a driving wet snow storm wasn't particularly fun (or smart really).

It doesn't make me (or anyone else) a "pansy" for not riding in winter anymore that it makes you tougher or a hero for doing it.

Correct. If I had big balls I'd be at the track. I am well aware of my risk aversion lol. That's the point. What I do isn't dangerous. I'm a lot safer running my errands in the city on two wheels in the winter, than I am commuting on two wheels on the highway in the summer. It just seems that this point is lost on some, who would rather point at someone else and exclaim "Danger!" then had say "I just don't like riding enough to do that, no thanks."

There's nothing wrong with saying that, but many won't.

 

[adri]

Question. When do you consider that the roads are "clean enough" to go for a ride?

It will be my first time riding after a Canadian winter; after reading some comments, I understood that salt and brine are no good for your motorcycle (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong). But when do you consider that they have washed out enough to go out for a ride?

For your safety or for your bikes well-being?

Salty stuff won't hurt you as much as it'll hurt your bike (until it starts messing with your brake calipers so if you ride year round you should service those more often).

I have a dedicated winter beater bike. Have done this since 07. Typically I'll buy a little scoot for $700-2000. Usually so cheap that you can sell them after several salty winters and not lose much if anything. I broke even on my last one, even after upgrades.

For me, as a human, if I have a fully clear tire track on my small residential streets and I know the main roads are clear and no more snow is coming, temperatures above freezing or roads completely clear (no run off from snow banks) or below freezing, why not do one of my favorite things?

I wouldn't stop having sex or eating pizza just because it's cold out, no point not riding if conditions are favorable.

 

[PrivatePilot]

I had my wife's new spyder out for a "I need to ride this thing and see what it's like" adventure earlier this week.

Got some salt on it. Good news, I just went out to the garage and looked and it's still there, has not dissolved into a pile of rust.

First time I've had the wind in my face October or something courtesy of the stupid concussion. Felt good even though it was on 3 wheels vs 2....not sure I'd trust myself on 2 wheels quite yet..

 

[Jayell]

I had my wife's new spyder out for a "I need to ride this thing and see what it's like" adventure earlier this week.

Got some salt on it. Good news, I just went out to the garage and looked and it's still there, has not dissolved into a pile of rust.

First time I've had the wind in my face October or something courtesy of the stupid concussion. Felt good even though it was on 3 wheels vs 2....not sure I'd trust myself on 2 wheels quite yet..

So, your wife is done with two wheels?

 

[justride]

Mississauga, Ontario
Wed02/15
Chance of a shower

14°
12 feels like
3° overnight low
40% pop
33SW km/hr wind
50 km/hr Wind Gust!
3hrs sunlight

 

[sburns]

Feels like winter is on the way out with how it looks today. Maybe the groundhog was right!
Saw 1 bike out while I was in my car.

 

[WestBrantKid]

Looking ahead at the weather, I would say you're right. A lot of +'s in the next 14 days. Some in the double digits!

 

[timtune]

Would have been out today but I ended up dragging toys to a Vintage sled show.

 

[V-Tom]

I got out for a little "round the block". Mainly just main roads. Rode from Port Perry, Peterborough, Madoc, Belleville, Cobourg, Port Hope then up to CR9 south of Rice Lake and worked my way home. Did about 350 km.

..Tom

 

[V-Tom]

Forgot to mention: Saw three other bikes today. A sport(ish) or neked bike on hwy 7 westbound heading towards Peterborough, a cruiser further east westbound on 7 and another cruiser but I don't recall where,

..Tom

 

[timtune]

Couldn't resist it was so nice today. Needed a Valentines card for the Squeeze so win/win.

 

[adri]

Forgot to mention: Saw three other bikes today. A sport(ish) or neked bike on hwy 7 westbound heading towards Peterborough, a cruiser further east westbound on 7 and another cruiser but I don't recall where,

..Tom

A little respect please. Based on the scientific evidence on the extensive risk of riding in the tropical winter weather we've been getting, I think it's only fair we refer to winter riders as Danger Rangers moving forward lol

Just got in from a ride about an hour ago. Was sad to see the city was resalting the roads. Seems like a unionized make-work project seeing as daytime highs aren't getting below freezing for the next 10 days.

Have fun out on two, fellow Danger Rangers!

 

[Hardwrkr13]

Wednesday looking good for anyone that wants to ride. I don’t have interest in taking the beemer out on our filthy roads but maybe a cheap used dual sport is in my future for times like this. Crusty but still a good amount of snow in my area and I was out sledding Friday Saturday and Sunday. Forecast says another 20cm of snow next week so winters not over yet.

 

[timtune]

Don't know where you are @Hardwrkr13 but I was at a vintage sled show in Dunganon on Sunday and we were displaying in a gravel parking lot. Sledding's done down here I think.

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