After the Ural engine rebuild last winter, I told myself to stop riding when it got cold. For now, my rather arbitrary definition of "cold" is 0°F (-18°F). In the past when I used to go x-country skiing a lot, I used that same temperature. Below that point, I had to switch to a really hard wax and you needed to carefully consider what trails you took if you were on your own. Trails where you were apt to run into other people were prefered.
By mid-afternoon, it had warmed up to +12°F but the sunshine was still providing enough heat to melt the snow. Most of the snow has melted from the south facing roofs as well as from our deck railing (as shown in the photo).
The cold temperature made soup sound pretty good. Here is what I came up with today. Carrots, onions, celery, cauliflower, mushrooms, tomatoes, barley and orzo. Seasoned with some basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. It was just what this day needed and very filling...
Mmm, cold weather and soup. I frequent several different pho places in town, and I've noticed that they're always packed at the first chill in the air.
ReplyDeleteI really spoiled myself last week with two visits to my favorite Korean BBQ joint here: The first night I had the bulgogi combo--it comes with one's choice of a soft tofu soup. The second night my parents joined me (their first Korean BBQ experience), and I had the bibimbap combo. My favorite of the soft tofu soups is with ramen...
Yep, nothing like a great soup--pho (with tendon and tripe, of course) or spicy soft tofu--to stave off the chill. The soup you made looks and sounds like it--too--would do a mighty fine job of keeping cold temps at bay.
I had looked up several times how to make pho. The number of ingredients required just to make the broth is sufficient to make me stick to the Korean places in town. Did the Korean BBQ have charcoal or a gas burner in the middle of the table? I was surprised in Ann Arbor when they brought out a smoking hot charcoal burner and set it on the table. I think I like the flavor that it brought to the grilled items. Spicy, soft tofu soup. I haven't had that since we were in Korea-town in downtown Los Angeles last year.
DeleteI would love to try Korean BBQ from over hot coals. That also sounds like a great way to amplify the already social experience of dining out.
DeleteSadly, my Korean BBQ joint does all the cooking in the kitchen, over a spread of gas burners. Of course, everything arrives boiling hot to one's table...
"Too cold to ride"....words I thought would never be uttered by you. ;)
ReplyDeleteKidding of course, as my personal best is only -14F and that only for a short while. I think you're on track with the temperatures causing undue wear on our Ural engines.
That soup looks delicious!
I was thinking that both "incidents" occurred in the coldest part of the year. So it's easy to just not ride the Ural...
DeleteDefinitely too cold to ride (or for any outdoor activity, really), Richard. Stay warm and indoors! I am sure that your wife will see to you not getting bored.
ReplyDeleteNot too cold for skiing. And you'd be surprised at the number of people that keep running.
DeleteBored?
What? Too cold? I thought you Alaskans were tough. So disappointed. 😂
ReplyDeleteSay's the girl who now opts for a trainer indoors instead of riding in the rain ... in 60 degree weather.
Maybe I'm just getting old...
DeleteRollers or stationary bike?
All I gotta say is if you opt for rollers, you need to video it and share. Roller vids are almost always entertaining for the rest of us! :)
DeleteI suppose one could rig a oversize roller set up for a motorcycle. Also video worthy! ;)
I used to ride rollers a lot during the winter. After you get used to them and get back on the road, you can ride on the white line for miles and miles.
DeleteSunshine on snow is always pretty. And the soup looks pretty tasty too.
ReplyDeleteThe sunshine is nice on the snow. It feels more like Spring than Fall. I think the soup came out pretty good. Especially when the wind was blowing...
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