Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Not Quite Balmy

It was -24°F last night and the forecast for today was even lower. But clouds came in and it warmed up to a nice, not quite balmy -12°F this morning. Of course, I had to make yet another video. But I also had some errands to run as well so it wasn't a complete waste of gas. REI wasn't open for another half hour so I just zig zagged across town to put some miles on the rig. With all of the heated gear actually working, riding is pretty nice. The heated grips get too hot after a while and today, I just turned them off once the handlebar ends warm up. Then just the heated gloves are more than enough.

The Ural is running really nice this winter. So far, I've needed to add about 400 ml of oil to the engine. This is the much lighter 10w30 synthetic so I'm not surprise that some would get used in 1800 km. The breather hasn't frozen but I've not taken any long rides at really cold temperatures either.

The biggest gear "hassle" with these below zero temperatures has to be the rubber face mask on the BRP (Bombardier) helmet. The snaps that fasten it to the helmet are hard to use with gloves on and I feel somewhat claustrophobic initially. But after a while you get used to it but you are always aware that it's there. But it's nice not to have my glasses or visor freeze up. The only other gear hassle has been the unreliable connectors on the Gerbing gear. But I've complained about those enough times.

Two more videos are posted. The first is the ride out to the Santa Clause house where they have the Santa version of a "muffler man" that I mentioned a few posts back. I still have nine in the queue to post.




8 comments:

  1. I too don't much like using the facemask that comes with the Bombardier Skidoo M2 helmet I use when it's really cold. So far this season, I've managed to avoid it. Then again, it doesn't get that cold here as where you are.... :)

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    1. I end up using it if it's anywhere near 0°F or colder. It's nice not have glasses fogging up.

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  2. I am glad you are enjoying your balmy weather.

    As pretty as your landscapes are, I must say I prefer the torrential downpours and 55 degrees we are now experiencing (all flooding aside)

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    1. Compare to -20°F and below almost anything feels warm. Last night was above 0°F so I took the scenic route home. Today, it was back to -22°F.

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  3. I don't know if you have the nerve to strut about in your long johns for the camera ( I have- once) but I'd sure like to see what medieval get up you wear to make -12 balmy.

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    1. No long johns needed. Just the heated liner, fleece liner and Roadcrafter Light over street clothes. Same boots as summer with a pair of wool socks. I guess I have good circulation or something. There are quite a few folks out bicycling, skiing and running in the same temperatures. You just get used to it. Kind of like you get used to hot and humid...

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  4. I knew you wouldn't be able to avoid another challenge! By the way, did the folks at the parts place ever mention how many customers ride their motorcycles to the shop to pick up their snowplow parts?
    (Balmy you say! Balmy is 11 degrees C on December 11! What the El Nino kind of winter is this?)

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    1. Like I said, not quite balmy. After it is -20°F (-29°C) for a while, -12°F seems "not too bad". The owner of the shop recognized it as a Ural as he was into old BMWs. Other than that, I rarely ever get any comments.

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