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Fri Dec 16, 2005 7:47 am

Both my bikes are down with starter issues. The new starter for one and the new brushes for the other should be here either today or tomorrow.

Up till a week ago I was riding. I stop when teh roads are iced over and take a bit to soap down the bike and reapply a layer of WD-40 knowing that more road salt is on the way. (I recommend a good pair of jersey gloves under a pair of those long rubber cleaning gloves. You don't feel the cold and the bike loves being clean)

#12 Unread post by **sv-wolf** » Fri Dec 16, 2005 3:00 pm

Until today the roads round here have been very greasy/icy - much worse than last year. I've had a couple of rear wheel skids in the last month - nothing drastic - just enough to scare me into being extra careful and make me concentrate on riding smoothly. The bike feels all over the place whenever there is any slight irregularity in the road.

For some reason, I got into the habit of using the rear brake more often at slow speeds this summer. The frosty Novemeber/December weather has quickly broken me of that one

Today was different though. It was very mild and the roads were good, so I made the most of it and had some fun on the corners. I probably won't be able to do that again for a while.

No snow yet, just a lot of frost and some ice. Fog has been very thick on occasion, making for some more scary moments at night. Loads of muck on the roads too - there's lots of building work going on all round here.

Joe Mc · #13 Unread post by **Joe Mc** » Fri Dec 16, 2005 4:49 pm

I've taken short <1hr rides the last couple of days. It's fairly cold at 5C (40F) but as long as I stay in the sun it's not too bad.

I desperately need some sort of riding pants if I'm going to go for a long ride. I've only been wearing jeans with track pants underneath and the inside of my thighs and crotch get cold pretty fast!

BuzZz · #14 Unread post by **BuzZz** » Fri Dec 16, 2005 10:45 pm

We don't have much snow, but it's below 0* on either scale.

Bit frosty too....

Cold enough that I found a owl freezing to death.....

When the wildlife is dying, I'm keeping the bike inside the garage.

I'm bummed.....

Enjoy your ride.... mutter, mumble, mutter, grumble......

ronboskz650sr · Sat Dec 17, 2005 4:28 am

We haven't had it that cold yet this year. It usually will hit 15-20 below for a few days in January...not looking forward to that. So far, it's only gotten to 2 above. Still, I guess I'm getting old. ...not feeling thaty motivated to ride in the cold. Sad about the owl, eh?

#16 Unread post by **cb360** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 5:41 am

I've been riding at least once a week - usually for just an hour or two but it's still fun. Of course Seattle - even being as far north as it is - is fairly temperate compared to what the canadians have to deal with. It's only snowed once this year and it didn't last. Currently there's frost on the ground every morning and you have to watch it on the bridges but that's about it.

BobMielke · Sat Dec 17, 2005 7:56 am

I'm riding but I'm afraid it's strictly for economy. Temp here now is around 55 for a high and 30 for a low. Got laid off from my textile job of 14 years just two weeks ago and must cut corners to survive. Rotten time to lose my job. It was a RIF. At 56 who will want me? (weaping uncontrollably at this point) am I yesterday's news? (pulling at my hair & gnashing of my teeth)

Who knows!

Gummiente · Sat Dec 17, 2005 9:35 am

Taken this afternoon at The Lighthouse gas bar approx 20m east of where I live. The snowmobile rider came outside just after I took the pic, but when I said "hi" he just looked at me like I was nuts, hopped on his machine and took off in a cloud of snow. Some people just don't like bikers, I guess.

CentralOzzy · Sat Dec 17, 2005 10:51 am

Gummiente wrote:Taken this afternoon at The Lighthouse gas bar approx 20m east of where I live. The snowmobile rider came outside just after I took the pic, but when I said "hi" he just looked at me like I was nuts, hopped on his machine and took off in a cloud of snow. Some people just don't like bikers, I guess.

He was a RED Neck!

& BuZzZ....I suppose you Rescued the Owl & placed her in your nice warm Barn, just like the 'Virgin Mary' scenario....right?
Good will etc etc....

BuzZz · #20 Unread post by **BuzZz** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 8:30 pm

I like that pic of your Ural and that Skud at the pumps.....

Al, it is never a good idea to try to pick-up a live Great Horned Owl. In fact, it's considered rather stupid. He's either sick or hurt, probably dying, and he knows it. And he ain't happy about it. And he don't want nuthin' to do with you, and is willing to prove it.

That shack in the first pic is mouse-infested, so I caught a couple live ones and tossed them at Hooty. He watched them, but made no move to catch one himself. I followed him halfway across the field, 2 steps at a time. I'd take 2 steps toward him and stop. He'd take 2 hops away and stop. If I took 3 steps, he would fly/glide 5 feet away and stop. Poor bastid. I walked him into some bushes so he was at least out of the wind and left him be. I was back at the same place the next day and there was no sign of him, so maybe he was just lazy and taking his time going home.

But when I first came walking around the corner of that shack and almost kicked him the first day, we both dam near chit. If he was healthy, he would have been gone right then, but he wanted to play follow the leader..... that ain't right.