FINALLY...she gets to stretch her legs a bit

[msb]

This has been a crazy Winter here...almost 7 weeks since the roads have been free of snow or ice, or temperatures above freezing...a rare extended stretch of real Winter weather for us usually smug West-coasters. 2016 was the first year in at least 8 that I can remember that I never got out for at least one good ride each month of the year...that being December. This is what it looked like most of December and into January, and last Sunday when I left for Toronto for the week...

One thing about the BC South West coast...when our usual warmer temps and good old rain return, any Winter weather can disappear in an awful hurry, which is what it so graciously did while I was back East...so Saturday, the old girl was finally given a chance to get out and stretch her legs a little, having had to settle with just being wheeled out of the garage once a week and fired up in the driveway for a few minutes and being tinkered with, petted and cleaned incesently by her obviously frusterated owner.
Funny, even after 15+ years with this bike, it just feels so good to break what is for me, a long non-riding spell, so with temperatures almost reaching 8 degrees (C), I was able to take her out for a good 2 hour run...avoiding residual icy patches and gravel by sticking mostly to Hwy 7 going East, except this little detour into Hatzic Valley







Have you ever noticed that after not riding for a while, these bikes seem to perform even better than you're used to when they finally get a chance to get out from hibernation? Today she just had so much snap and ran as smooth as ever.... proof that they are just made to run, and hate sitting around in the garage as much as we hate seeing them sit there. It was a good day...a rare bit of Winter weather was kinda fun for a change, but it can stay away from here now...it's time to ride!!
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[Oss]

thanks for sharing the ride   

and its great to see 4 ride reports on the 1st page

(5 if you count Serk's )

[Beardo]

Jealous buddy. So jealous. We're a ways from that yet.

Glad you got to get out and clear the mind. Has probably been a busy month for you, with a lot more work to come in the next couple.

And yeah, those 6 carbs love breathing in that cool air, don't they.   

[The emperor has no clothes]

Glad you were able to ride. The area looks just as beautiful in winter as summer. 

[Valkorado]

Hoping for June!

Got a new winter ride, a Husqvarna ST-224 snow blower.  Not nearly as much fun as the Valkyries, but pretty badass in its own right!

Before:
After:


Up to a foot more coming in tonight.  

[97BLKVALK]

Mike,

Thanks for the ride report.  Looking forward to seeing you in Billings. 

Great pictures.

Michael

[BobB]

It's nice to see a Northern ride report.  I would have to outfit my Valk's tires as an ice racer in order to get her out of the driveway.  Waiting for April...

[cookiedough]

Yah,  April cannot come soon enough, ONLY 2 more months or so to go right??  

In Canada, etc., do not they use plow trucks dumping TONS of road salt down making your vehicles turn white as a ghost in a few short miles??  I would never, ever think of taking my VAlk out until 3-4 good spring rain showers in late March, early April.  

Judging my Valkorado pic in Gunnison Colorado,  a snowmobile is well past due for basic means of transportation.  I have not seen too many drifts that tall ever, just a few is all up to say 4-5 feet tall.  I feel so sorry for the snowmobilers in southern WI not able to take their sleds out for more than about 2 weeks tops so far all winter long.  Never have seen so many above normal temps and ALL RAIN/FREEZING RAIN with TONS of fog/no sun in January EVER in WI that I can remember like have had so far this winter.   

[msb]

In Canada, etc., do not they use plow trucks dumping TONS of road salt down making your vehicles turn white as a ghost in a few short miles??  I would never, ever think of taking my VAlk out until 3-4 good spring rain showers in late March, early April.  

...obviously you've never been to this region, and experienced our rain "showers" (or if you have, perhaps you missed 'em). Rest assured, a single week of SW BC rainfall will wash away all traces of whatever road salt was used in these parts as well as any winter conditions that may have persisted past what is the norm.... fully agree with you, with respect to riding on salted roads.

[Thespian]

Got out at least once a month here in Seattle, but not for long, and too dam cold for fun.

[scooperhsd]

Got out this afternoon for about a 10-15 mile ride. Just enough to get the engine warmed up nice and enough to get me cold ( temperature in the upper 40's ) .