Who's still riding? (Fall & Winter 2024 Edition)

Forum Sponsor
Does riding in 22C count as fall/winter riding? Attended a day at a conference in Niagara Falls yesterday, and looking at the forecast, it was the last dry and (very) warm day, so I took the bike. Had to bomb out on the QEW, but snuck out early enough to take the long way home. Did some similar roads to the ones we took a couple weeks ago, and the best of the fall colours are definitely over in Niagara, lots of bare trees. Roads were mostly dry, but it was around five, so busier than usual.

Looking at the forecast, I have a feeling this might be the last real ride of the year for this softie. Weekends have highs of 9, which is to chilly to be fun for this fair weather rider. I look forward to the discussions on heated vests and glove warmers from the hardier folks here. 2024 has been a slice, and I can't wait for 2025 now. Will be spending the winter doing maintenance and a few upgrades on the Griso.
 
MacDoc said:
••••••

Done that many times over the decades - various bikes...most vivid was hitting 9c pea soup level fog past Sault Ste Marie looping Superior in June. It was stoopid hot when I left Toronto and only had summer gloves on. They got soaked in the thick fog and hands getting numb .....could hardly see where to pull off safely. Sat there looking like I was hugging the bike.....warmed up and then the fog cleared and back to warm weather. I'd only done Superior in August before and was not expecting that freezing fog bank.
Click to expand...
Looping Superior has some weather extremes. I remember my last trip was early July, 34c dead calm riding the south side of the lake, 5c at elevation on the north side.

My toughest ride was Toronto to Foleyet, started off a balmy 20c. Light fog and 13c when I left Sudbury for the 144. An hour in it was pouring and 7c. 3 hours later I was so cold I couldn’t talk.

Nothing beats being on a bike cold- soaked and hours from anywhere.
 
Mad Mike said:
Looping Superior has some weather extremes. I remember my last trip was early July, 34c dead calm riding the south side of the lake, 5c at elevation on the north side.

My toughest ride was Toronto to Foleyet, started off a balmy 20c. Light fog and 13c when I left Sudbury for the 144. An hour in it was pouring and 7c. 3 hours later I was so cold I couldn’t talk.

Nothing beats being on a bike cold- soaked and hours from anywhere.
Click to expand...
How about when you finally try to book into the only hotel in Wemindji, cold and wet (on the shore of James Bay) after riding there in the freezing rain only to find out the hotel has no running water. I was sooo looking forward to that hot shower......
 
Incredible weather. I can't believe it's halloween and it's 22 degrees with a humidex of 26 right now. We still have planters out front with plants with summer flowers still on them.

Looks like it cools back down to normal this evening.

I haven't been out since my IBA run last Monday.
 
QBufJdm.jpg
 
No riding today. Boo hoo. Changed to snows on my Rav and B's Ford with it's stupid disposable lug nuts. Grrr!
 
Wingboy said:
No riding today. Boo hoo. Changed to snows on my Rav and B's Ford with it's stupid disposable lug nuts. Grrr!
Click to expand...
My kid was at the hospital with my car or I would have been doing the same; after I got back. :)
 
Nothing beats being on a bike cold- soaked and hours from anywhere.
Click to expand...
Well, same 144, after dark with one turn signal to light the way on my RD400.
At least the weather was reasonable.
I finally ghosted behind a car ( there are NOT many at night on 144 ) and got into Sudbury suburbs and found a street light to change the fuse.
 
Lash said:
Never heard of disposable lug nuts. What’s up with that?
Click to expand...
I’m guessing he’s talking about the sheet metal covered nuts. Solid inside, chrome sheet metal cover.

The are not marketed as disposable, but many people have to replace them because the sheet metal cover distorts, looks rough and can slip or stick in a socket.

They can get damaged if overtorqued. This usually happens when breaking them loose with an impact gun or 12pt socket. Best to crack them loose with a 12pt impact socket on a breaker bar, retorque by hand.

If (when) they distort, replace with solid versions.
 
Well I guess the lug nuts on a Ram are disposable too. After the rust bulges them to the point where you can’t get a socket on them…you go out and buy real steel ones.
 
Ten year old Honda bolts still seem o.k., touch wood.
 
Lash said:
Well I guess the lug nuts on a Ram are disposable too. After the rust bulges them to the point where you can’t get a socket on them…you go out and buy real steel ones.
Click to expand...
Yup.
I used to replace the ones on my Dodge with Gorilla nuts:

attachment.php


until I ponied up and got these burnt titanium ones lol.
Cant be undone without an internal drive and keeps them looking pretty!

20240822_175845-jpg.1123220



20240826_190545-jpg.1123221
 
Got out for a few hours today, first ride since my biggie a few weeks back. Yay for heated seat, heated grips, and heated vest today.
 
That sunshine was too much to resist. Plugged in the e-vest and was off to travel gravel.

Reason #37 for owning a KLR: You NEVER see a speed trap on gravel roads. If a cop's on gravel he likely has bigger fish than you to fry.
Forum Sponsor
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom