end of a riding season for the northern states

[woofred1832]

                                  Well sad to say but its the end of the riding season for us in the northern states, Oh yes there has been exceptions in past years but not many. So the bike got fresh oil, a bath, moved to the back of the garage and covered for afew months.    I know many of the southern states will have weather good enough to ride and that is great for you, this year was far from good, rain in the so called spring crappy weekends, with rain or 90+ heat,,  Now I start plans for where to ride this coming summer.  Made it most of the way to Buffalo NY, good ride along Lake Erie, and down along the Alegain (sp) river was neat, got out for a ride but shorter than was planned, again because of weather. only got in 1300+ miles, not even close to the 4400 miles I did on last years trip. Will watch the weather for June and may think about going to Insane 2020. Never have been but have been to afew Dragon Round Ups whitch were great.    So have a great off season, I will log on during the winter for some comments  Chris

[da prez]

  Chris , I did not even see you this year. I am planning on a ride today. I'll wave as I  go thru Fox Lake.

                                    da prez

[98valk]

snow, road salt and/or temps below 30F stop my winter riding.

winter riding is great almost zero other riders I have to wave to. 

[Avanti]

Still riding here. Roads dry, plug in and go.

[Jeepster09]

Can still ride if you want to freeze your butt off! I prefer to not "freeze up" and endanger myself or others with SLOW REACTION times.

[Steve K (IA)]

Just got back from topping off my tank after adding a half can of SeaFoam.  I don't keep a record, but I'm certain I rode more miles this summer than the last 2 combined.  It's parked for the winter.  I'll need to pull the battery soon.

[Avanti]

Plug in Heated Gear

[MarkT]

Snow permitting I ride through the winter.  Sometimes I get stopped for a month or so for heavy snow that refuses to melt.  Might be somewhat easier with a Kubota to get the snow off the drive.  Used to be, just run the 4X4's so the snow gets packed down and takes even longer to melt.  Very frustrating when I could ride except I don't want to go on my long drive when it's ice - but roads clear otherwise.  That's when you see the other REAL riders out. Of course I have electric gear and all bikes wired for it.

[F6Dave]

I had a friend who used to trailer his bike out of his snowy neighborhood to a grocery store parking lot and ride from there.

[cookiedough]

snow, road salt and/or temps below 30F stop my winter riding.

winter riding is great almost zero other riders I have to wave to. 

We already got that snow crap and road salt in last week of October never had that happen before EVER.  Still waiting for some mid 40s to appear but looked at extended forecast next 2 weeks and is NOT happening unless the weather forecasters are wrong again.  UNREAL how cold and a few snow showers have happened already in October NEVER has done that EVER before.  I am SO not ready for winter in terms of house/garage stuff to do and cycles. 

I saved 2 days vacation off work just to take off on a mid 40s day but yesterday might have been the last one of 2019.  UNREAL,  suppose to be normal high of 50 right about now - what is happening? 

On that slow reaction times I agree could be dangerous.  I drove 3xs to work when 35-37 degrees in morning some 35 miles one way and first time I put my feet down was 25 miles into the ride and my knees were so stiff I could barely get my feet down was that cold nearly locking up my knees from moving down.  Man, I am getting OLD!  Also hard to use the clutch with 2 sets of gloves on and my finger tips were frostbit as well almost.   Not bad the first 10-20 miles but much past that the old body gets too darn cold to handle it when 35 or so out.

[0leman]

Thankfully Hwy Dept doesn't use salt here.  I just wait for a day or three after a the snows come, layer on the clothes and go for a ride.  If it hits 40 that is.