Abv.

[DDT (12)]

ABV.
 
Yeah, we all know about abbreviations… and, we all use them, too! I know I surely do… like today, for instance… I just don’t remember it being this tough in years past! Is it really that stinking cold, or is it just me? Heck, everything else is showing signs of wear & tear, neglect and abuse… I reckon it’s only logical that my tolerance for inclement weather is showing the effects of age, too…
 
I awoke and proceeded to do my usual early morning look-see at the weather… outside for a firsthand assessment… Only afterward do I then check The Weather Channel for their take on things. Now there’s a problem right there! Unless Jim Cantore is standing in your front yard, you get scant little info on your particular area!
 
They focus on wherever the ‘drama’ is and largely skip over the rest… for the most part. They do give just enough now and then, so they can deny they completely ignore other areas, but… perhaps we should just think of it as 'abbreviated coverage'! The drama was in the midwest and northeast, so I had to wait patiently for the miniscule amount of info on where we happened to be and where we were headed… It didn’t sound inviting…
 
No precip being called for, but cold for sure! And, a brisk wind from the northwest would be in our face all day! One thing I did notice right off… it was easily 30 degrees colder that morning than it had been the evening before when I’d bid ALI sweet dreams…
 
I pulled away anyhow, not-so-early, hoping for the best and confident my gear and years of experience would see us through… I was off a bit on that… Just before departure, I was sitting astride our girl letting her warm up a bit, when a guy exited the office with a cup of coffee in each hand… He walked by looking at us, and he had one of those half smile/half smirk looks on his face, as he non-verbally communicated, “You’re a real dumb-ass, ya know that?” Truthfully, I couldn’t argue with him…
 
We rode northwest to Montgomery, and all the way there I kept saying to myself, we’ve got until then to decide whether or not to continue the desired back road longcut ride, or just stay on the slab and knock out some miles… I was still toying with that choice when I made the exit from the slab at our last best exit to resume that anticipated ride (I usually take the slab through Montgomery on any ride to avoid traffic!)… I needed people fuel anyway, so I sought a biscuit under the Golden Arches… I pondered considerably… then pulled the trigger… It would be the abbreviation ride!
 
We only saved 80- or 90-miles total distance, but, critically, we saved more than a couple of hours timewise, plus a similar amount of each for the next day's ride, too.. And, as we continued on with our less than spectacular slab run, it became obvious I’d still made the better choice for that day!
 
No singing or yodeling at all throughout the entire day, but I did take moaning and groaning to previously unknown levels! It reminded me of my experience in Korea way back when, but I know it was no where near those extremes…

Still, I’d already had enough by the time we’d barely reached the halfway point, but I soldiered on anyway… I remembered O2S’s admonishment sometime ago, “Suck it up, buttercup.” I felt like the Kamikaze pilot who had flown a dozen combat missions… I participated, but I wasn’t really committed…
 
We finally reached a suitable target for the day, and I called it quits. I entered the room, set the thermostat on ‘tropical, mid-summertime’, and then proceeded to put our girl to bed for the night. She did not complain… never does.

She can take all of this stuff far better than I can… but… some of the things I put her/us through are simply over the top. Even with the ‘abbreviation’ this day, it was still a bit too much… Oh well… Tomorrow holds the prospect of more of the same, once it warms up from the even colder starting temps!!!
 
DDT

[The emperor has no clothes]

Hang in there, Kamikaze.  (I don't think you are a dumbass, just different from the masses) 

[hubcapsc]

I awoke and proceeded to do my usual early morning look-see at the weather… outside for a firsthand assessment… Only afterward do I then check The Weather Channel for their take on things. Now there’s a problem right there! Unless Jim Cantore is standing in your front yard, you get scant little info on your particular area!

On the theme of abbreviations plus weather... I've taken to typing "weather town-name" into
google and using their little seven-day weather report which is always at the top of the screen...
instant pretty-reliable temp/wind/precipitation for each of the seven days...

-Mike "I think they need to change weather-channel's name to advertisement-channel   "

[DirtyDan]

U.N.A..... use no abbreviations

Yeah it’s cold hope it warms up soon

Dan

[Hook#3287]

https://www.ventusky.com/

Bruce, no way you can be considered a "buttercup" in relation to motorcycle riding.

You're pretty good at that chair napping thing also.

That weather site link above is pretty good.  You can pull it in to local or world wide and change it from temp to precipitation.  You can also pull up wind speeds, cloud cover, wind gusts, etc.

I've found it to be spot on for the present weather and the forecast always excellent.  

-5 here this morning.

[Oss]

yeah you dont need to abbreviate when its

2

degrees

Oss

Think I wont ride today  winds are steady 30 blowing to 60  it is getting so the dog wont go out lol

[DDT (12)]

Hang in there, Kamikaze.  (I don't think you are a dumbass, just different from the masses) 

Rob,

Yeah, I'm going to hang in there alright... Funny, in practically no time I'll be fondly remembering this adventure and thinking about how good my lifestyle is, and especially how well it is suited to this happy wanderer... My perpetual gypsy-hood causes me to nearly always be a stranger. My predilections cause me to always appear to be stranger than most! As for the dumbass thing... Like with my whiskers, opinions are sharply divided on that!!! Thanks for the reply... as always!

DDT

I awoke and proceeded to do my usual early morning look-see at the weather… outside for a firsthand assessment… Only afterward do I then check The Weather Channel for their take on things. Now there’s a problem right there! Unless Jim Cantore is standing in your front yard, you get scant little info on your particular area!

On the theme of abbreviations plus weather... I've taken to typing "weather town-name" into
google and using their little seven-day weather report which is always at the top of the screen...
instant pretty-reliable temp/wind/precipitation for each of the seven days...

-Mike "I think they need to change weather-channel's name to advertisement-channel  "

Mike,

Thanks for the suggestion! I did that just now, and your are right... as you so often are... About the 'advertisement channel' thing, I again completely agree! If they do anything at all more than drama, it would be advertising!!! Any more, I give the mute button on the remote a serious workout when watching TV, especially TWC!!! Thanks again for the suggestion and for the reply!

DDT

U.N.A..... use no abbreviations

Yeah it’s cold hope it warms up soon

Dan

Dan,

Thanks for TR (the reply)... Yeah, I got my fingers crossed for some modest upward movement of the mercury in the ol' glass tube... But, all the forecasters are stubbornly refusing to help me out with any positive indications of that happening!

Oh well, once I make it through today, I'll have a couple of days to let the feeling return to my extrimities and the memory of all this to fade just a bit... Dang, I still have to leave central Tennessee, aboard ALI, and get to someplace else! Long time 'til Spring, too... sigh...

DDT

https://www.ventusky.com/

Bruce, no way you can be considered a "buttercup" in relation to motorcycle riding.

You're pretty good at that chair napping thing also.

That weather site link above is pretty good.  You can pull it in to local or world wide and change it from temp to precipitation.  You can also pull up wind speeds, cloud cover, wind gusts, etc.

I've found it to be spot on for the present weather and the forecast always excellent. 

-5 here this morning.

Bill,

Thanks, my friend, for the reply and the positive words. Thanks, too, for the website suggestion! I tried that, and I was impressed... I even bookmarked it for future use! Yeah, chair napping has become a specialty of mine, and the more I do it, the better I seem get at it!!! I'm thinking I may take a little nap this morning before hitting the road! As for your current temp... I can only say, "Thank God I ain't visiting you right now!!!"

DDT

yeah you dont need to abbreviate when its

2

degrees

Oss

Think I wont ride today  winds are steady 30 blowing to 60  it is getting so the dog wont go out lol

Oss,

Holy excrement!!! The weather down here is too blustery for this puny rider to relish the thought of being out 'n about, so up your way it would be totally out of the question! Heck, I think the dog is showing some good sense, and you should be most forgiving when you have to... you know...

I checked into the motel, and the counter person inquired if I had any pets... "No," I replied, "I traveling on a motorcycle, so you're going to have to loan me one..."

DDT

[Moonshot_1]

Nice write up. I was expecting a dissertation on Alcohol by Volume though. 

[DDT (12)]

MS_1,

Thanks for the compliment and for the reply! Nah, when it comes to alcohol, I'm not an expert at all... Heck, I wouldn't even qualify as a talented amateur... novice, perhaps, but that's about it... Anyway, I did have to 'abbreviate' the ride the last couple of days; and, although it usually pains me to do so, in this case it was both necessary and wise... no remorse either!!! I'll have a hard time convincing myself to ever undertake such again under similar circumstances. Again, thanks for joining the thread!

DDT

[Wizzard]

DDT you are a brave man. I hate cold. You ride into conditions that I will not. More power to ya. I get enough out of your descriptions that I do not need to do it. Thanks for that. Cannot wait for warm weather. -2 here this morning.
BTW,, I like moonshot was expecting something about alcohol. ABV means something totally different to us that brew. 

[DDT (12)]

DDT you are a brave man. I hate cold. You ride into conditions that I will not. More power to ya. I get enough out of your descriptions that I do not need to do it. Thanks for that. Cannot wait for warm weather. -2 here this morning.
BTW,, I like moonshot was expecting something about alcohol. ABV means something totally different to us that brew.  

Randy,


See? I told you I didn't know much about alcohol! Brewing? Way too technical for this simple guy, so... I have done a bit of consumption, mind you, but as for actually producing the stuff... I don't have a clue!

Thanks for your comments, my friend! I don't know how much of what I do should be credited to bravery, and how much is the result of that low IQ I've mentioned!!! I'm leaning more towards the latter...!

At any rate, it was even colder the third day than it had been on either of the first two! Driving head-on into a stiff northerly wind at highway speeds on the slab... with the temps below freezing... Well, if you think that ain't pleasant, your are right on the money!!! I imagine I was much better off with my heated gear on full-blast, but, frankly, I couldn't tell if it was even working! Like I said, this will be a hard one to ever talk myself into doing again!!!


I took this shot just southeast of Nashville yesterday... A graphic illustration of... Well, 'they' say a picture is worth a thousand words, and in this case I think 'they' are spot-on...



I hope all y'all appreciate the fact that I paid a stiff price for that photo! I stopped, dismounted (which meant I also had to disconnect my Gerbings), removed my gloves, fumbled around with the phone, then had to reverse the process after taking the shot... Man, I never fully recovered from that brief pause, either, so I had to make an unplanned warm-up stop before reaching my destination!

DDT

[The emperor has no clothes]

DDT you are a brave man. I hate cold. You ride into conditions that I will not. More power to ya. I get enough out of your descriptions that I do not need to do it. Thanks for that. Cannot wait for warm weather. -2 here this morning.
BTW,, I like moonshot was expecting something about alcohol. ABV means something totally different to us that brew. 

Randy,


See? I told you I didn't know much about alcohol! Brewing? Way too technical for this simple guy, so... I have done a bit of consumption, mind you, but as for actually producing the stuff... I don't have a clue!

Thanks for your comments, my friend! I don't know how much of what I do should be credited to bravery, and how much is the result of that low IQ I've mentioned!!! I'm leaning more towards the latter...!

At any rate, it was even colder the third day than it had been on either of the first two! Driving head-on into a stiff northern wind at highway speeds on the slab... with the temps below freezing... Well, if you think that ain't pleasant, your are right on the money!!! I imagine I was much better off with my heated gear on full-blast, but, frankly, I couldn't tell if it was even working! Like I said, this will be a hard one to ever talk myself into doing again!!!


I took this shot just southeast of Nashville yesterday... A graphic illustration of... Well, 'they' say a picture is worth a thousand words, and in this case I think 'they' are spot-on...



DDT

They say "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" . But people sitting in a recliner in a 74* house can say just about anything.  Be safe Bruce  (I wimped out from a ride today because it was 60* and windy)  (do I ever feel like a pussy)

[DDT (12)]

Rob,

From my vantage point right this minute, you're looking pretty doggone smart, my friend! I have to say, IMHO, 60* ain't bad at all to me, provided I do have appropriate gear... Indeed, I really like temps in that range, and I much prefer them to, say, temps above 85*. To each his own, though, so you just do what fills your cup, and I'll do the same... and next time drinks are on me!

DDT

[The emperor has no clothes]

Rob,

From my vantage point right this minute, you're looking pretty doggone smart, my friend! I have to say, IMHO, 60* ain't bad at all to me, provided I do have appropriate gear... Indeed, I really like temps in that range, and I much prefer them to, say, temps above 85*. To each his own, though, so you just do what fills your cup, and I'll do the same... and next time drinks are on me!

DDT

60* is about perfect in my book also. The wind was gusting to 40 and I wimped out.

[DDT (12)]

Rob,

I hear ya, man! Strong winds can really take the edge off an otherwise nice ride... Strong winds are frequent in certain parts of the country, and those of us who venture there... well, we all soon enough learn of the implications and the adjustments necessary... However, winds above 40mph from any direction create much unpleasantness, so it's no wonder some choose to just skip the whole thing... There will be other days!!!

DDT

[Wizzard]

Bruce, like I said,, you are the stuff legacy's are made of. Thanks for taking that picture as it does give a very respectable perspective of the ride. I have never owned a heated suit, and doubt I will as if I get cold I just hole up. I am a wimp, but I do not get cold easily. Growing up I rode all winter in zero temps and snow,and did not care if my hands got numb. I just enjoyed it so much I pushed through the pain. I remember coming in from riding and my toes and and fingers would THROB as the circulation came back but I did not care. Those days are distant memories for me but not distant enough that I would repeat them at this age. Ride safe Bruce.

[DDT (12)]

Randy,

Thank you for the nice words. You have a rather impressive riding resume yourself, so your words carry with them special meaning and value! I enjoyed reading about your riding 'in the early days' and of your working through the discomfort and even pain to just be out there... Those who don't grasp it will never understand... Those of us who do, however, can only shake our heads and smile as we remember our own experiences during those times when the jury was very much 'still out' on rendering a verdict about our sanity!!! Thanks for the memories your triggered for this fellow rider... and kindred spirit.

DDT

[t-man403]

Like a Champ!! 

[DDT (12)]

Terry,

Thanks, man! I owe it all to so many people, but to none more than you!!! What you did has made all that has followed possible, and I am deeply grateful! Champ? I dunno... Chump? Yeah, now I think we're edging closer to the nub of the issue!!! Hope all is well in Calgary, and that your new life is all you wanted it to be... My best regards to you both, my friend!

DDT

[..]

When I had the ST1300 I rode from Punishers home in Hattiesburg MS back to north Atlanta.

It was so cold the radiator temp gauge never got above 2 bars instead of the normal 3.

Air temp for most of the ride was about 25F.

I was tough.

The bikes fairing and windshield in raised position gave me some protection from wind chill.

It was this ride that pushed me over the edge.

I realized I was stoopid and tough. 

Getting cold slows reaction time.

Heated gloves and a jacket liner are worth every penny. 

[msb]

Geez Bruce, you're just puttin' around in the wrong part of the continent. Up to 52 F here this week and we haven't seen snow on the ground all Winter yet... all staying up in the mountains where it belongs. Unlike the past 2 Winters, looks like I'll get some local riding in this January and February

Here's a shot of my neighbourhood this afternoon... just to help you feel warm and cozy

[DDT (12)]

Paul,

Yeah, you are one tough dude for sure! The riding you've done over the years has been most impressive, but... like with all of us, some of it brings into question our judgement!!! Slowed reaction time is but one of the distractions and/or hazards of riding beyond our 'zone', and although we've all done it, for the most part only good fortune or divine grace has allowed us to survive... Glad to have the memories, but actually making those memories... Well, you know, it ain't near as much fun doing at the time as it is later reminiscing about it... Glad you're here to share your exploits and give us the benefit of your vast experience...

DDT

[DDT (12)]

Mike,

WOW! 52* sounds like a heatwave to me right now!!! Man, that picture makes me long for a scoot through your neck of the woods again, and with weather like that, it's obvious I'd be better off out there than I've been here lately... Oh well, this too shall pass. Glad you are getting a respite from your 'typical' winter out there, and that you're able to get some riding in... Looking forward to hearing about some of your excursions! And, to seeing about them, too! You do take some awesome pictures!!!

DDT

[..]

Bruce, please don't fail to note the phrase tough and stupid! 
.

[DDT (12)]

Paul,

Duly noted, mate!!!

DDT