On one snowy day while out riding, I stopped for gas and was asked by someone if they could take a picture of me, next to my bike. It was OK if I kept my helmet on, she said. Needed to show it to her husband.
It turns out he had left his car running outside of a gas station, and it had been stolen. So she wanted to show him a picture of someone riding in the snow to show that people could survive the cold for longer than it took to start the car.
I bet you this backfired and her man bought a motorcycle lol.
I don’t know… someone who is so scared of the cold that they have to leave the car running to go into quiktrip isn’t going to ride in the snow.
The season certainly is, unless you’re riding on a snowmobile in the picture.
But there will be a few better days coming. Last year, we also had a cold start in early December at -8°C but 31st and Jan 1st it was super warm with 17°C, so I was riding as much as I could. Streets are also empty on Jan 1st.
The long term weather models predict a mild winter 23/24 at +2°C for central Europe compared to average temps. So I keep my eye on the forecast for a good day.
I put season plates on both my bikes 03/11 and I miss some great days like you say. The savings helps to pay for the train fares, but it’s a long wait now until spring.
You guys can register by season? Here it’s the full year or nothing (non-op).
Saves tax and insurance - forces me to use my bicycle or bus/train/tram if icy or far. It’s ok - the time goes fast.
Look, I finally got my license and bought a bike. I won’t let a little snow stop me!
I was in Minneapolis for work (coming from the UK), and it was -20C/-4F outside, with snow on the ground. Totally surprised me to see some guy on a motocross bike fueling up at a gas station. Brave young person. Once it hits 8C high for a day, my bike goes into hibernation (Now living in Finland).
I checked the outside temperature one morning, it was 37F (2.8C). I thought to myself, “Not bad. I can take the bike to work today.”
Then I opened the refrigerator and noticed the thermometer in there was also 37F. It was that moment that I realized I was going to ride to work in my refrigerator!
New rule: No riding when it’s colder outside than it is inside my fridge. :D
Because of the sled?
My other bike really is a Desert Sled. I should have been riding that.
On to trials riding season, then
Hey as long as the roads are dry. It looks like I can ride to work here towards the end of the week
