New years day ride!

[Rick G]

I joined my friend Joel for the New Years day ride with HOG and CMA.   I may not be able to go next year . It was 24 deg. f,  and even with  my hippo hands and my heaviest gloves , it was rough  I had my Tour Master Jacket  w/ liner  a flannel shirt and  a sweat shirt  as well as my insulated overalls and while I wasn't  cold , I felt like the kid brother in "Christmas Story " in his snow suit . If I fell down I couldn't get up!! LOL  Part of the problem is that I put on 15 lbs and all My gear is too tight ( dieting now!)  We were headed to the Avie  casino m but at my request we stopped at the Aquarius to enjoy the buffet. This shortened the ride  to 80 miles from  120 . My left knee that was operated on in '07 is acting up again , I'm having a problem with my sciatic nerve in my right hip  as well as both joints in my left thumb . I'm going to dig out my  clutch easy and install it on the VX , maybe it will help.
I enjoyed the ride  , but wish it were longer .  I may have to become a "fair weather rider"

[fret not]

Rick, you are a glutton for punishment!  Riding in such weather and all.  I think we had better weather here in Northern Calif. as it got to 40 today and didn't leave frost in the morning for the first time in weeks.  The beer stays cold outside as long as it stays in the shade, and no electricity is killed in the process.

Your joints are likely responding to the weather, too cool for good circulation, you know.  I been doing stretching and flexing exercises for my sciatica and it has helped a lot and the result is worth the effort.

[PHM]

Yes the cold winter blues,,nice you stuck it out Rick,,but it seems the more the experienced the rider,or the machine the harder it is to keep warm.
I find it comfortable in my work winter coveralls to about -7C but any lower I do a lot of layering and wishing for spring.

[Rikugun]

Yikes, you guys are making me feel quite the wimp  :(  I find I'm comfortable down to the high 50's. That's assuming the sun is out.  ;D

[Rick G]

We are at 3500 feet ,so it can get cold even though we are down south.  At least Laughlin NV is at 500 feet , and a bit warmer., We will see about next year!