It's that time again... winter riders, make some noise!

[lds]

Winter's creeping in on schedule here in the mountains, which means, for those of us who don't winterize our bikes, that the deluges of snow are accompanied by deluges of people asking, "aren't you cold?" I suppose that's our version of you Floridians and Arizonans being asked about riding in "all that gear" in the summertime. We get to be bigger smartasses, though: when our questioners go on at length about how cold it is out there, we get to nod sagely and say, "you've made a perfect case for not riding naked."

I dusted off my old saw about a half-dozen times already today: "the leathers and extra layers keep me warm, but it's icy streets that'll put me back on four wheels. Since the streets are dry today, I have to get in as much riding as I can, while I can." I think some people just need to be reminded that we ride because it's fun and we like to do it.

It doesn't rain or snow often here, but in the winter one good layer that sticks can last for weeks because it doesn't warm up enough to melt. Consequently, I've been known to take the bike on questionable forecasts from time to time... resulting in photos like this, from last winter:



Anybody else from high altitudes or high latitudes plan on braving the cold this winter?