Modern Vespa

This is where I am at in my scooting status at the moment. The only days it is clear and sunny, there are salt, ice and it is 10-20f degrees. Then comes spring with the foot deep potholes everywhere.... I am itching to get out there but not to end up off in the bushes on the side of the road. Sticking with my Mini until conditions improve.

Amy err Froggie

Lucky enough for me I only ride for pleasure these days and riding in the rain isn't a pleasurable For me it's core and best avoided.

Bill x

Pleasure rider here too. (That sounds dirty). I get flack for my lower miles on my scoot but if I am not riding with a smile on my face, there is no point. I am the type that I won't ride if I am not feeling spot on. I have almost as good of a time in my car, with our back road twisties around here.

Forgive those that know but I dispatch rode for 3 years on a Hodna CX500 with Avon Road Runners - not renowned for their grip and in the rain they were lethal.
I know this because I came off numerous times due to the lack of traction between them and a road with any amount of moisture on it.
This is where my fear probably comes from.

Bill xxx

That has to be so scary. Thank god I haven't had any moments like this on my scoot, my road bike (actual pedal power) I had some pretty big scares. Coming down a hill about 30-40mph hit a pot hole and both tires fish tailed, of course panic set in. I grabbed breaks making the dual fish tailing worse, car right behind me too. I released break and somehow, I have no idea how, was able to recover. I had to sit next to my bike on the side of the road in my spandex outfit and tiny foam helmet and reevaluate my life for a bit. If the conditions and motivation aren't exactly right on, best to not ride and there is nothing wrong with that.

From your first paragraph, I thought you lot were starting to obsess over studying yourselves and worrying about every change in the wind direction, as is done over here.

From your second para, I see that they really don't take it all that seriously.

It's obvious but everyone must ride within their comfort zone. I commute every day in all weather but I wouldn't tell anyone else to do the same. I would however advise my fellow riders to prioritise their safety above everything else and ride within your limits.
To quote my fav line from Hill Street Blues, 'Lets be careful out there'
Ash

I'm no fan of bad weather riding either, powered or unpowered. I've commuted on a scooter and a motorbike through winter with snow and all and it wasn't much fun so now I'm happy to restrict my riding to when I know I'll enjoy it.

I also think that my problem may lie with the way I ride which doesn't doesn't lend itself to wet roads.
In a straight line it's not to bad but for the corners you need a surface you can rely on.
Plus riding in the rain means you have to clean and polish the BV all over again like I had to today.
When the CX would go down it would land on the crash bars and radiator grille so you'd lick it up, kick the grille back into place to stop it hitting the fan and carry on riding.
The CX was top heavy which also didn't contribute to an enjoyable riding experience but it clocked 120,000 miles before I sold it so it wasn't all bad.

Bill x

Have not heard Hill Street Blues in a while. My Brother in law was a camera man on that show. They gave out cast and crew jackets. His wife gave hers to me, lucky guy. My luck ended when I went back to the restaurant to reclaim it in Las Vegas after forgetting it, stupid guy. I commuted for 20+ years in any weather! now severed from my job I choose to be a fair weather rider. Good thing I live in So Cal. Hurray it is raining now, we really need it.

TBall, Hill St. was my favorite show for as long as it was on.... well that and St. Elsewhere.

Don't like winter, don't like rain......will ride if I have to but prefer nice dry conditions. Can ride like a right knob at times too......best avoid rain when doing so.

And no riding like a knob with yanks as pillion

If you say Yanks as pillion very quickly it sounds like a planet in the Dagobah System.

Yankzasbillion.

Pepy is a true gentleman and wouldn't attempt to " shat you up good" while delivering you to the venue. Of that I'm sure.

Anyway, it's me you shouldn't get on the back of - checks medication dispenser.

Bill xxx

Okay......

Well, I managed it and kept the inside of my trousers clean! Admittedly just under a mile from Scootech to the tube station! Thanks for the lift Bill!

I will...but I'm guessing that it would be one that they wouldn't advertise. Plus with a van to replace this year I doubt I'll be queuing at the new bike counter to find out for some time. I had 2 in the 80s that I clocked up some obscene mileages on too. Avons were actually the best tyre at the time for them. All the tyres at the time were a bit "Teflon" in the wet including Dunflop TT100s.

My W800 has TT100s on it. The compounds are much improved these days.

Sounds like a challenge. Only the toughest shall survive. (Sort of like a rodeo bull riding)

Ahhh! So we have a survivor! The challenge arises...

You should all ask Genie what I'm like when riding with a pillion.

I'm in a little bit of discomfort today as my job has given me a repetitive strain injury across both shoulders and lower back so yesterday my Chiropractor basically beat me up in a very stylish fashion and now most of the discomfort has gone but it's been replaced with bruising where he worked me into his plaything.

Usually the banter flows between us but yesterday the treatment hurt so much I couldn't talk which provided a few comedy moments.

I can't even be motivated to run anywhere. Bum.

Bill x

I feel an article coming on about the joys of riding in the rain Sure, my preference is for dry and sunny, but there are lots of pleasures to be found when the weather's rubbish. There's the camaraderie - I get loads more nods from other bikers on horrible days, because we're all in it together - the cosy feeling of being snug inside the warm, dry bubble of helmet and waterproofs, how great it feels when you stop for a hot drink, and, of course, the childish thrill of going through puddles with an almighty GOOSH!!

No that I'm wishing you ill, but isn't it about time you had another weird and wonderful affliction Bill?

I mean, we're into the 3rd month of the year already...

I've just added some more info and flyers onto this thread -> UK Rallies and Events 2014

Gonna be a big year.... 8)

You are so right Alice. I even like the feeling I get of visibility gratification every time I wipe my visor in the rain.

Yeah, I was thinking that but be careful what you wish for eh ?

It would be nice to go through this entire year without any medical assistance.

Bill x

My wife had cat scratch fever last month. Tough to top. I didn't know it was a real thing. I thought it was just a song alluding to love...or venereal disease.

Sorry to hear that El Guapo. I hope you feel better soon so you can get back to the witty banter we have become accustomed to. Running is overrated anyhow.

we love our weekend runs along the lea river we usually do 10-11 miles along the canal path - it's lovely.

can everybody please keep their fingers and toes crossed for me today. I'll tell you the reason later

two complete sets crossed here.

I admire those who run. I have tried and tried to enjoy it myself but my brain says... Nope.

Fingers and eyes crossed!

Consider it done!

Fingers, toes and eyes all crossed.

Sending lucky vibes Something to do with the work promotion maybe?

I've had my new role confirmed, but then had the most demotivating performance conversation in a long time, simply because our head of dept likes to play fast and loose with end of year performance gradings, which is absolutely not on. I can feel a showdown coming on. Corporate life, ugh. I definitely need a long term escape plan.

Finished assignments at 2.30am this morning and submitted at 11.30am, all 86 pages and 15697 words of 'em. Early night for me....zzzzzz Back to the fun stuff from tomorrow....I'll be like a convict released...

Everything crossed

Well I think that may have been winter...

11 degrees today, sunny blue skies, birdsong, daffodils sprouting on roundabouts...

Eyes, toes, fingers, legs all crossed........face planted in the carpet as a result.

Nope. I got into the car this morning, started it, turned on the quick-clear screen and heated rear windows. I spent the next two minutes removing ice from the side windows.

I then drove to the airport got on a plane and flew back from Belfast to London.

On my way home I got soaked by torrential rain that had nowhere to go; the puddles were huge.

i've just conducted a PhD viva. myself and the other examiner rode roughshod over the image of the 'nice Canadian' by thoroughly trashing the poor candidate. We didn't set out to do so but it became evident pretty early on that his analysis was 'on the weak side', so we were obliged to do a bit of probing to find out how wobbly it actually was. not irrecoverable, as it turns out, but he's going to have to spend a few months on revisions.

carry on with the crossing for another day or two please. anyone who is actually rendering themselves incapable of movement is permitted to uncross for short periods to allow them to get to their place of work, etc.

I think I may have crossed something inadvertently by jumping on my scoot too quickly!
In other news I am close to finishing the de-chroming of Ruby. Just waiting for the seat to be upholstered.....

Thanks for that, I need a pee!