Dirt_Dad
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...and man, was I ill-prepared.
In my defense, I've ridden very little since getting the '15 Tenere in late June. It only clicked over to 4K miles yesterday. Not a bad number for four months over the winter, but for me in prime riding season, it's a bit pathetic. Between insane work schedules and prepping for my daughter's wedding, the bike has been put aside for other priorities. Now with the wedding in the rear view mirror, my wife, Dirt Mom (DM), suggested we go on an overnight ride. ::012::
It has been a long since time we've done a ride, but I'm an old hand at this, so I gave it almost no thought. I reattached the side cases even though I had very little to put in them. I thought I remembered the weather forecast for home was a sun from Friday through Sunday with temps in the low 60s. I had no concern leaving my goretex rain gloves at home, and with those temps no need for heated gloves or hand guards. This is just a quick two night run.
Friday morning was a lovely sunny start to the day as we departed. It was a bit cool with temps the upper 40, so I did put on the heated vest. First stop was Romney Cycles order some parts. In those 80 miles the sky had become cloudy and even menacing looking. Rain looked like it could start at any moment. I told Larry (GM at Romney) that I was starting to regret leaving my rain gloves at home. He laughed and called me a noob.
An hour later, as we crossed the top of Mt Storm with gray skies the temperature was hovering around 31 degrees. DM had her heated jacket liner and gloves safely tucked in her side case. I repeatedly ask her if she wanted to stop to get on her warm gear. She repeatedly declined and just wanted to get to our lodging as soon as possible to warm up.
Waking up at the Timberline Ski Resort the bikes were covered in a nice layer of frost.
Hard to read though the ice, but it says 26.4 degrees.
Riding for more than an hour before temps climbed to the freezing mark gave me plenty of time to think about the lousy job I did of prepping for this ride. I'm an old dog and I seem to have forgotten most of my old tricks.
Just goes to remind me, what we adventure riders do does take thoughtful preparation, and the failure to do so will not go unnoticed.
Cold weather riding is comings. Plan accordingly.
In my defense, I've ridden very little since getting the '15 Tenere in late June. It only clicked over to 4K miles yesterday. Not a bad number for four months over the winter, but for me in prime riding season, it's a bit pathetic. Between insane work schedules and prepping for my daughter's wedding, the bike has been put aside for other priorities. Now with the wedding in the rear view mirror, my wife, Dirt Mom (DM), suggested we go on an overnight ride. ::012::
It has been a long since time we've done a ride, but I'm an old hand at this, so I gave it almost no thought. I reattached the side cases even though I had very little to put in them. I thought I remembered the weather forecast for home was a sun from Friday through Sunday with temps in the low 60s. I had no concern leaving my goretex rain gloves at home, and with those temps no need for heated gloves or hand guards. This is just a quick two night run.
Friday morning was a lovely sunny start to the day as we departed. It was a bit cool with temps the upper 40, so I did put on the heated vest. First stop was Romney Cycles order some parts. In those 80 miles the sky had become cloudy and even menacing looking. Rain looked like it could start at any moment. I told Larry (GM at Romney) that I was starting to regret leaving my rain gloves at home. He laughed and called me a noob.
An hour later, as we crossed the top of Mt Storm with gray skies the temperature was hovering around 31 degrees. DM had her heated jacket liner and gloves safely tucked in her side case. I repeatedly ask her if she wanted to stop to get on her warm gear. She repeatedly declined and just wanted to get to our lodging as soon as possible to warm up.
Waking up at the Timberline Ski Resort the bikes were covered in a nice layer of frost.
Hard to read though the ice, but it says 26.4 degrees.
Riding for more than an hour before temps climbed to the freezing mark gave me plenty of time to think about the lousy job I did of prepping for this ride. I'm an old dog and I seem to have forgotten most of my old tricks.
Just goes to remind me, what we adventure riders do does take thoughtful preparation, and the failure to do so will not go unnoticed.
Cold weather riding is comings. Plan accordingly.
