i must be out of my mind..i went in my garage and fired up the bike(it was running like crap) i let it run for 20 minutes and still ran like crap..i decided to take it for a ride to try and clear it out..got about a mile from home and it started running great. since i was out i decided to go to the local conveinence store..you should have seen all the people looking at me like i was nuts..on the way home all i could think about was my warm house and how nice its gonna be when i get there..i wont be doing that again for a while..

 

I've done that many times. Nothing like riding in a snowsuit to get people's attention. Just gotta make sure you watch out for ice, salt, and salt residue.

 

Yep, I KNOW that look. I did quite a bit of "Polar Bear" riding last week on Patriot Guard Missions.

Last Monday, I rode on an escort mission. Me and one other "nut" left the airport at 10:35pm, rode about 70 miles, all but about 3 were interstate, with a police escort speeds exceeding 90 mph at times. The temps were in the upper 20's. A couple of hours later, we made the return trip, temps in the lower 20's. The Pig got back in the barn Tues morning at 2:30.

Then on Wednesday morning, I made a solo return ride back to the same funeral home for the funeral. Temp when I left the house was 17. I took that trip a bit slower. Average speed around 70 - 75. Then returned home that evening riding solo, temps around 30.

On Friday evening, I headed out solo for another Patriot Guard mission in Birmingham, AL. Temp when I left was 25. That trip was 224 miles, all interstate. Now you want to talk about some "looks" the people at the hotel in AL couldn't believe it when I rode up to check in.

Then Saturday evening I made the return ride back to Nashville. Temps in AL when I headed out were in the low 40's, but then dropped into the low 20's after the sunset. I did have a cage running behind me as a tailgunner on that ride.

All in all, that was about 750 miles in some really cold weather.

It was in the teens here this morning. When I walked into the garage to take out the trash, I heard my bike say...."Hell no!!! I'm staying right here, in my warm barn!!" [sm=nono.gif]

I did break down and buy a full face helmet after my trip on Wed. I hate the thing, but it is much warmer in these temps than my half helmet.

 

Get out there and do it again. Winter riding can be the BEST! NO BUGS!! It was 21 when I left the house this morning for my 20 mile ride to work. i did switch to the full face instead of teh skid lid though. Maybe I'm becoming a wuss in my old age!

 

SportyPig.........my hats off to you! You are doing something so worthy and your dedication amazes me! I can only imagine how cold you must have been. My cutoff temp is 45........and I know that because I've ridden in much lower temps and this woman decided to go easy on her body from now on. My husband is itching to ride, and he probably will this week even though we're in the 20's and 30's. We might hit 40's. I'll be waiting for 45! Take care.........

 

SportyP, my hat is off to ya Bro! I rode Sunday, low 40's high 30's, saw one other "fool" hhhahahahahahaha got them strange looks too!

 

There are some great Patriots in the east TN area, you'd be welcomed in like a long lost puppy. One is another Sporty rider...He's a young guy, and bar tender...and his bike always makes me laugh.

This is a pic of his Gas Tank.

 

Yeah man ... I can take the cold originally being from LI ... but its just been TOOOOOO Cold for me to ride. You can bet once the summer comes, this kid is gonna buy some heated cloths .. brrrrr !!!

 

It was 8-10 here when I rolled them off the trailer the new 1 threw a fitand took forever to start and the 89 fired right up[8D]
to much snow and ice for a ride here right now[:'(]