Friday, March 13, 2015

Finally, a real ride this winter.

Made a wrong turn on the way to work yesterday.  Funny how that happened on a relatively warm (~40F) sunny day.  Spent the day wandering around Maryland's eastern shore.  I chose that area of Maryland over my usual Pennsylvania haunts because the eastern shore roads get plenty of sunlight, so ice wouldn't be a problem, and they're very lightly traveled, so trucks wouldn't be a problem (this was a workday for everyone else, after all). Also weighing against PA is experience, which tells me that its back roads would be full of new potholes/broken pavement, salt/dirt/mud and lingering ice in the shady areas. It wasn't a huge ride, 205 miles, but it was sorely needed.  Since 2015 rang in, my riding had consisted of a small handful of commutes, and a few rides of barely 100 miles each.   I'm hoping the constant freeze/thaw/freeze cycle we've been in this winter is finally done, but March is a rather fickle month for the motorcyclist.


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posted by Doug Just Doug at 11:03 AM 1 comments

Thursday, March 05, 2015

It's snow-go for riding this winter.

I don't recall a winter when I've ridden fewer miles.  I doubt I've done 500 miles since Xmas. Today's pic is typical of what we've faced the last couple of months.  So sick of snow, ice and salt!  I'll be shoveling as Daytona Bike Week begins tomorrow...

If my bike were an animal, it'd be a Sad Panda.

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posted by Doug Just Doug at 5:04 PM 0 comments

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Farkling Muff-tastic!

Over the last few winters, I've tried at least four different brands of handlebar muffs, including the proprietary eponymous (and pricey) Hippo Hands.  Each kept my hands warm enough, but none allowed the ease or confidence of control accessibility I wanted, and most collapsed the leading edges at speed, pushing back into the brake and clutch levers. I was about to give up on muffs when I discovered the made-for-ATVs Klopin "Geartector Mitts." Not only are the arm openings large and extremely rigid (as in you'd have to stomp on them to deform them, maybe) but the leading edges are stiff plastic panels -- probably meant as off-road branch/rock deflectors, but on the street prevent collapsing at speed. With the Geartectors, I'm able to fiddle with my helmet visor/vents, GPS and shoot the one-fingered salute to errant cagers with confidence, knowing I'll be able to quickly get my left hand back onto the controls. Until the temps get below about 20F, I'm also able to use one-step lighter gloves than I would without the mitts, allowing greater control feel.  The insulated mitts install in minutes using zippers and drawstrings with those spring-loaded tightener thingamabobs. The only change I have to make is moving the GPS inboard on the bars for the winter. The large leading edges catch a fair amount of wind, but I'm not trying to set land-speed records on cold roads and fingers with adequate blood-supply are worth trading at least 2-3 MPG. In use, the only real issue I've had is that the left mitt tends to knock the choke lever towards the off position, so I tend to warm up the engine a little longer than usual before heading out. YMMV on all this of course, because so much depends upon the specific design and dimensions of the motorcycle upon which the mitts are used. The Klopins happen to be a steal at about $30 ($24 with Amazon Prime right now.) 
Yes, they're fugly, but at 15F everyone thinks I'm stupid anyway.

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posted by Doug Just Doug at 9:43 AM 1 comments

Saturday, February 16, 2013

10 Best Things About Riding in the Winter


1. No bugs.
2. Fewer tourists (and no squids) on back roads.
3. Frosty auto windshields provide increased opportunity to practice avoidance maneuvers.
4. Amish buggy "exhaust" is no longer slippery (it is, however, bumpy).
5. No muscle spasms from reaching around to open jacket vents on the fly.
6. Lessened danger of getting caught in your zipper (guys only).
7. Corn is harvested, providing increased sight lines for cornering or Bambi-spotting.
8. Opportunity to assess blood-flow to extremities.
9. Battery Tender?  Don't need no stinkin' Battery Tender!
10. OK, I only came up with 9. Help me out!


12/12/10 addendum: The guys at The Pace Podcast read my list on their podcast today, Episode 56. If you're not already a listener, I highly recommend The Pace -- give 'em a listen!

(This old post has been shamelessly recycled, because I care about our environment. Or I'm lazy.)

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posted by Doug Just Doug at 4:46 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

An EZ Eastern Shore ramble

Bike's thermometer read 17-24F for the first couple of hours of last Sunday morning's ride, but eventually it warmed to a balmy 34F after I'd turned north to head home. I took an easy ride on fairly open, flowing roads on Maryland's eastern shore to S. Chesapeake City, Betterton Beach, Rock Hall, & colonial Chestertown. In light of the patchy ice, salty roads and my squared-off rear tire, it wasn't a technically challenging ride by design, but at about 155 miles it was the first halfway decent ride of 2012. Those handlebar muffs look ridiculous but kept the digits warm(er).  I didn't see another bike, nor any boats in motion -- perhaps some folks believed it was too cold to be out having fun.  I actually got a couple of waves from cagers, including a cop. 








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posted by Doug Just Doug at 9:03 PM 0 comments

Friday, February 08, 2013

Winter gear/safety tips

Hardy/foolish (your choice) motorcyclists who don't stop riding at 32F or below have likely read tons of advice about proper layering, maintaining core body temperature, and the never-ending battle with helmet visor fogging, so no need to repeat much of that advice. Here are ten more items to consider, perhaps a couple are new to you. All were learned the hard way during many winters riding:


  • If your jacket's insulating liner allows it, wear it as a separate layer rather than zipped/buttoned into the outer shell. You'll be warmer and the jacket's main closure will be more wind-resistant.


  • Protect your neck: gaiters, tubes, "cozies", wraps, scarves or balaclavas are brilliant for keeping those big arteries and veins running through your neck warmer. 


  • Tape up any helmet or jacket vents that allow wind leakage. You're not going to use them in frigid temps anyway.


  • A rain suit or waterproof glove covers can extend your gear's lower temp range (every piece of gear has it's limits, now matter how hi-tech).


  • Unless you've got a heated garage, store all your gear and helmets inside.


  • At stops of more than a few minutes, don't leave your helmet, jacket or gloves on your motorcycle (even in tank bags or panniers).


  • Avoid sweating like the plague. Don't put on those final layers until you're ready to go out the door. De-layer if you stop en route to take a hike, dance a jig, etc.


  • Assist blood flow to your extremities by avoiding restrictive boots or gloves (watch those thick socks or liners), or excessive bunching of layers in the knees or elbows. Ensure your bike's clutch and brake levers are adjusted to keep your hands in line with your forearms (most are set too high, causing restriction in the wrist).


  • Keep your bladder as empty as possible. Remember that your body has to burn energy to keep all that fluid warm, and the vasoconstriction-induced "gotta pee now!" feeling is very distracting.


  • Be smarter than me, own a bike with enough spare electrical output to support heated gear, and crank up the electrons!


    • Do you have any tips to share?


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    posted by Doug Just Doug at 3:08 PM 2 comments

    Sunday, January 27, 2013

    Frozen Butt Tour vid!

    I guess the video camera finally thawed.  As a supplement to my 2010 post regarding Paul Mondor's Frozen Butt Tour, enjoy this video I just discovered.

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    posted by Doug Just Doug at 4:47 PM 0 comments

    Monday, November 05, 2012

    Season-end Ephrata ride-in

    The year's final "First Sunday" ride-in at the American Legion post in Ephrata, PA attracted few, but hardy, riders. Mid-30F temps and heavy clouds were the likely reasons that attendance was perhaps 10% of the usual 500-600 (the warmest, driest days bring over 1,000). Silver linings were the absence of tourists on the back roads -- in fact, near total absence of all piston-powered conveyances (the Amish were out in decent numbers) -- and no waiting at the buffet line. Sport and adventure-touring bikes (particularly BMWs) were in the majority, with the usual smattering of rare, unusual and home-built machinery. The event starts-up again in March 2013; hope to see some of you there. (Search this site or email me for more info if you're unfamiliar with this long-standing event).
    The Yellow Flash, and the BMW K-1300 of fellow Delawearan & ST.N'er "Rodon"
    BMW XC of ST.N member "Royal Tiger." Nice aux fuel tank!
    Ring-A-Ding!
    (Insert caption here) :^)
    The pilots of these recently did an IBA Saddlesore together.

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    posted by Doug Just Doug at 10:43 AM 0 comments

    Tuesday, March 27, 2012

    March Madness

    After a couple of weeks of unseasonably amazing weather and record high temps, this morning was in the high 20s F, as if Ma Nature was saying "don't take me for granted buddy."  I knew I shouldn't put my winter gear away quite yet (but did anyway), as evidenced by my posts from some other Marches:

    2008
    In my neck of the woods, March can be tough on the ol' motorcycling psyche.  Blacktop roads are potholed and crumbled from freezing, and won't be repaired for months.  Clumps of road salt residue and sand dot the roads.  On the back roads, gravel and mud, washed out of the gullies by heavy rains and snow melt, have a nasty habit of accumulating on blind corners.  Unlike the peak of Summer or dead of Winter, it's difficult to get into a rhythm, either on the road of off.  Just gearing up properly can be a tough decision as the weather can vary wildly.   I've ridden 5 of the 6 days of March so far, and I've already dealt with temperatures from 22F to 62F, and from snow flurries to rain showers to beautiful dry, sunny conditions.  I'm not whining (well, not much) mind you:  that which many motorcyclists consider obstacles to riding are seen as challenges to die-hard (or crazy; you choose) year-round riders.   Although, while overcoming challenges is satisfying, I'll be a lot happier in about six weeks when the challenges will be more about the broader riding experience and much less about merely surviving the weather and road conditions.

    2009
    I just re-read this post from March '08, and it's eerily accurate so far as to March '09.  Last Sunday about 8" of snow got dumped on us; tomorrow when I head out on my ride shortly after sunrise it'll already be over 50F.  I may hit some rain on the way, which ain't necessarily a bad thing as it may wash off some of the "protective coating" of salt reside and road grime my ZR-7S has accumulated this winter.









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    posted by Doug Just Doug at 9:35 AM 0 comments

    Tuesday, March 20, 2012

    Ever drag your knee...on ice?

    Take an R1. Add tires that'd make a punk rocker jealous. Get a few buds with cars and dual sports to meet you at the frozen lake and have some fun.

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    posted by Doug Just Doug at 7:53 PM 1 comments

    Tuesday, February 14, 2012

    Cold Riding Tips

    Motorcyclists who never learned their mother's lesson to come in from out in the cold have likely read tons of advice about proper layering, maintaining core body temperature, and the never-ending battle with helmet visor fogging. Here are ten more items to consider, hopefully a couple are new to you. All were learned the hard way during many winters riding:
    1. If your jacket's insulating liner allows it, wear it as a separate layer rather than zipped/buttoned into the outer jacket. You'll be warmer and the outer jacket's main closure will be more wind-resistant.
    2. Protect your neck: gaiters, tubes, "cozies", wraps, scarves or balaclavas are brilliant for keeping those big arteries and veins running through your neck warmer. (They also keep you a bit cooler in the heat through shading, plus keep rain, flying and stinging things from getting down your jacket or into your helmet. My neck is covered on nearly every ride year-round.)
    3. Tape up any helmet or jacket vents that allow wind leakage. You're not going to use them in frigid temps anyway.
    4. A rain suit or waterproof glove covers can extend your gear's lower temp range (every piece of gear has it's limits, now matter how hi-tech).
    5. Never keep any gear, including helmets, in the garage/shed overnight. Even worse, if you happen to do that with any Outlast (or similar "phase-change" gel) equipped liners or gloves, you'll stay cold for hours, perhaps all day.
    6. Similarly, never leave your helmet, jacket or gloves on your motorcycle (even in tank bags or panniers) at stops of more than a few minutes.
    7. Avoid sweating like the plague. Don't put on those final layers until you're ready to go out the door. De-layer if you  stop en route to push a motorcycle, fix a flat, take a hike, dance a jig, etc.
    8. Assist blood flow to your extremities by avoiding restrictive boots or gloves (watch those thick socks or liners), or excessive bunching of layers in the knees or elbows. Ensure your levers are adjusted to keep your wrists as straight as possible (most are set too high).
    9. Keep your bladder as empty as possible. Remember that your body has to burn energy to keep all that fluid warm, and the vasoconstriction-induced "gotta pee!" feeling is very distracting.
    10. Be smarter than me, own a bike with enough spare electrical output to support heated gear, ignore most of the above advice and crank up the electrons!
    Do you have any tips to share?

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    posted by Doug Just Doug at 2:08 PM 0 comments