Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Weather, just a bit of perspective.

Humans are funny creatures. At least in the north they are. Yet, from what I have heard on this forum, the argument could be made across the spectrum.

Perspective, here is my example; around here, when it's 65 degrees F in the winter months, we go, "Man it's cold in here!" and we throw on a sweater. In the summer when it's 65 F we run around in a T shirt (that can be a warm day up here!)

Likewise today. I got home from work this morning and decided I was going to spend the day riding when the high was supposed to 50F, well, I never registered more than 48F on the thermometer and most of the way it was 42F. Clear Blue and 42 and grand day in the north for a November bike ride. Seems I wasn't the only one. Passed four others, bundled up and out for what we all expect may be the last one of the year.

There again, in July we would likely be complaining, "It's 52 out, it's too cold for a ride!" But today, we embrace the moment, endure the cold and think it is worth it when on a summer day of the same temperature we would likley complain it was too cold! Perspective.

For me, I looked at it as a warm day compared to the day last week when I went for a 31 mile ride when it was 36F. All I can say is I must be twisted sister!

Yep, it was a good day for a ride. A cold day of riding is better than a warm day stuck at work. Don't get me wrong, I would rather have the warm day, but ...well you know what I mean?

Funny thing Eddy, I was thinking the exact same thing today as we rode around in the 40-something temps. The sun was shining and it was cold, but I was darn glad to be out riding.

Ed,

I've done an number of these "last ride of the year" deals. Once in you're part of the world I made an October ride from Mineral Point to Eagle River and back. The "way back" part it was chilly, but sunny. I remember pulling over by the roadside periodically, laying in the sun to soak/store up thermal units then carry on . Another fall I visted some friends in Stevens Point and headed home late afternoon. Stopping for gas, my face was so cold I literally couldn't form words with the attendant. Wisely I reversed course, spent the night and completed my pilgrimmage the next day.

I've always felt that late season 55dF is 'thinner' than mid season 55dF. As driving into a deep shadow takes my breath away. Must have something to do with ground temperature, angle of the sun or something. BTW, I have never learned from experience, I'm sure it will happen again, and again .

jh

Post deleted by Grump

I love to scuba dive and have made dives in water as cold as 38 degrees (I don't ice dive!) Hypothermia can be life threatening whether it comes from cold air and wind, ice and snow, or water. If you get to the point where shivering ceases, and words (or thoughts) are hard to form, it's past time to seek warmth. Reaction time and judgment can be impaired, along with motor skills and the ability to physically complete necessary actions. Protecting your skin, and preventing heat loss, especially from your head (where alot of body heat dissipates) is essential. Once you are chilled, stopping to warm up is the only safe move. Of course, some of us have taken preventative measures to make sure that hypothermia never becomes a problem again. We live in the deep south, and ride whenever we want to! Steve Perry once said it nicely in a song: "Nyah, Nyah, Nyah, Nyahhh, Nyahhh!!!"

I headed out this morning with the temp hovering around 32. By the time I made it to Skyline drive the valley temp was probably 40ish... it was probably in the 20's at Skyland (highest point of Skyline Drive). Ice everywhere... I never saw another bike on the road... had it all to myself. Stopped several times to warm my hands on the engine but other than that it was a pretty nice ride. In fact, I think it may have been one of my more enjoyable rides this year. Must have been the solitude and empty roads.

Dress was... silk long johns, cotton thermals over those, over the calf heavy socks, t-shirt, thermal turtle neck, baqalava (sp?), heavy long sleeve shirt, wool sweater, fleece neck gaiter, jeans, chaps, riding jacket, heavy gloves (that weren't heavy enough) and a good pair of boots. If I continue to ride in this weather I'm going to ditch my 3/4 with a face shield for a full face.

The difference between the feel of 65 F in the summer and 65 F in the winter is humidity. Dry winter air promotes evaporative cooling to make us lose heat faster, so it's not only perception but actually makes us colder.

Is it like the Ice Age or something up there in the frigid north?



Only reason I ask is it's supposed to be 87 tomorrow here in Tucson. Man I love riding this time of the year!

Is there a certain number of times I can gloat about the weather before I get banned?

I think the morning rides will be tolerable down here in Southern Az. Just a matter of taking a few more minutes to bundle up. I rode this morning to the gym and left at 0420 in the AM probably about 48 degrees or so. Not bad at all. Any day now we will see those over night lows start to slip occasionally to near the freezing mark ....especially out here in the desert some 15-20 miles out of Tucson. I'll need to put on the chaps or overpants for those days.

But by noon on lots of those days......UV nirvana.

Jeez Phil, and here I thought I was getting close to my limit. Are you sure that number is correct? I think the cabin fever crowd would meet their boiling point looong before then.

Leaving Thursday for Rocky Point, Mexico. Sure hope the weather holds.

Last I heard the weather is supposed to hold and supposed to be high 70's to 80's in Rocky Point this weekend.
Wooooo Hooooo!
Course its suppose to be 69 here tomorrow - thats a heat wave this time of year!
B

But.....I bet you'd ride if it were not for snow on the roads or slush or ice or otherwise impassable streets?


I am originally from Rapid City and Belle Fourche South Dakota. There are days one could ride even though very cold if it were not for iced over or snow covered streets.

My brother pretty much garages his Harley from October to March he lives in Piedmont between Sturgis and Rapid City.

Its not worth the effort to get the bike ready for a ride on those infrequent periods in the winter when there is no snow on the streets.

Hey I'm orginally from Spearfish, SD. It's a really great part of the country. A little too cold during the winter for me.

It is nice ....in season. Its weird ...I have been back there in mid June and it was still cold enough to need a jacket. Strange weather patterns occur up there in those parts.

Same here in Austin-best riding time of the year-except the deer are every where. They do tend to scatter when people shoot at them.

As tomorrow is election day, I'm enjoyng a trout slayer ale as I speak Derek . Don't fret taxpayers, I worked straight through the traditional "weekend".

BTW I officially bagged the Flathead move contemplated long and hard in earlier posts. In the end I decided living in a friendly rural county with great scenery and no stop lights fits my demeaner better than a place with 25+% growth rates and home prices requiring another $60-80K mortgage cost-of-living increase just to stay even. It was a very personal educational experience to say the least. I am happy and finally sleeping again.

"Don't it always seemed to be that you don't know what you got till it's gone......."

Back to your regular thread programming, I spent enough years in the 4 corners rimrock, red rock country to gain a great appreciation and love for the desert Derek, greenery not needed. One of these days, I'll point the Triumph south for a long spin & take you up on the offer

JH

"Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what ya got,
'till it's gone. They paved paradise, and put up a parking lot."

"Late last night, I heard the screen door slam, then a big
yellow taxi came and took away my old man."

One of my all time favs,
Uncle Charlie

unclecharlie, you must be near my 50 years here on this dirtball. I remember that tune well although my memory fails me on the artist.

I'll be 50 in April.
Joni Mitchell
"Big Yellow Taxi"
For years I thought the title was "Paradise".