I am not about to get all philosophical about how close we are to each other on this “vasudha” nor will I introduce new quality processes. Instead, I’m talking about ONE DEGREE CELCIUS!
Yes, that’s all it took today to begin the process of my core temperature to decline. I left just after noon and the temperature was 4-degrees C with the sun mostly out. There were clouds but until I got to Cornwall, the clouds didn’t block the sun so much. I had on a thermo Italian Riding Shirt (layer One) followed by a Rev’It Core Winter Jacket (Layer Two) and topped off with my KLIM Latitude Gore-Tex Jacket. I bet I could ride all day at 5-Degrees with the sun out.
But that is not what happened today. Instead, by 2:00 PM I was riding back on highway # 2 alone side the river. I looked down and noticed the temperature was 3-Degrees C. Not much of a difference one would say but I suddenly felt my core temperature beginning to drop. It was almost as if I had left vent open on my jacket or that my Rev’It was not zippered up the front under the KLIM. I had rode an hour or so without any issues but now I started to feel cold. Uncomfortably cold and a bit worried about getting home. I always carry an extra sweater in my saddlebag but I find that the extra layer starts to cramp my riding style and I feel like the Pillsbury man. As I was coming to the circle in Long Sault I saw a Tim Hortons so I stopped to warm up. One coffee and some warm up tricks. First I removed the KLIM and the Rev’It to allow my core to warm. I then warmed up my hands using the coffee while drinking it to begin the warm-up process from the inside out. After the coffee was half finished, I went to the bathroom (its a single bathroom) and kneeled a bit in front of the hand warmer so as to guide the hot air down the front of my Italian base layer. I stayed for about three minutes until I could feel the heat everywhere. Then I finished my second half of the coffee and returned back to the bathroom with my gloves and Rev’It jacket. In about 5-minutes I had blown enough hot air into the jacket and gloves to make them toasty. Luckily there were no line-ups for the bathroom today.
At this point I was ready to continue towards home but I was determined to start heading north off of highway # 2 to avoid the river wind. I headed north at Ingleside and after 15-minutes I noticed the temperature had risen to a whopping 4-degrees C. I was still cold but my core was loosing heat at a much slower rate than it was on highway # 2. All this time the sun was hidden behind the clouds. As I approached Chesterville the sun suddenly appeared.Let me tell you that it felt like a warm blanket was wrapped around me. I couldn’t believe it. I started thinking to myself as the sun would appear and then disappear between the clouds on how much of a difference it makes; even while travelling at 95 Km/hr. Sun means warmth regardless of what the temperature says.
I travelled 162 Kilometers today and rode for just under three hours choosing all of the curvy backroads that I know of. When I arrived home I curled up on the sofa with Butler and Porthos in front of the Gas Fireplace with a cup of HOT Coffee.
Looks like Thursday will be a high of 7-degrees C with no rain and next week is showing temperatures over 10-degrees C (but some rain is forecasted). So my riding season may continue for another week at least.
I have had many opportunities to ride in the two weeks. In fact, I have added yet another 1000 Km on the R1200R since October 18th, 2018
Sorry I missed your call today. I was home but was without access to my phone as I was working with Francis on the final touches to my kitchen cabinets. It was a good day. I wish I had heard the phone as you could have warmed up here with a couple of Nespresso shots and a hot shower!
I must say you have grit my friend. The sun was lovely today when it chose to grace us with its presence, but it was bone-chilling cold in the shade.
Please keep calling when you are in this neck of the woods …..
Vee
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One of the best motorcycle investments I made is an electric vest. Extends the comfortable season pretty much a month on each end and ends the anxiety. Heated grips are nice too; most Beemers have them, does yours? Was quite chilly de-rigging the boat today; exposed to the west breeze from Lac Deschenes, when the clouds covered it was very cold, but like you say, when the sun came out it was actually pleasant. Hope it’s decent Friday for mast removal and Monday for haul-out. THEN I’ll have time to ride.
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Sounds like a heated vest is in order. The Vespa with a tall and wide screen, heated grips and a Termoscud worked very well to keep me comfortable for the 500 kms from Montreal to Toronto at ~1C back in 2016.
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