Since I am not working for a while, I did another Polar Bear Challenge (PBC) video this morning. It had snowed last night and snowed a bit during my ride as well. The temperature was a very pleasant 15°F due to the overcast skies and the trees looked especially nice when covered with frost. Today's ride was 50km starting from the University of Alaska Museum and ending at the Dog Musher's Field with a stop at College Coffeehouse in the middle. Sorry for the long video but I thought that I had edited out a lot of material but apparently not enough. I think maybe over ⅞ of the video was discarded. Today, I discovered that the GoPro remote actually works with the warmer temperatures. I messed up on the spoken date (wrong date). I'm just not very good at this video stuff.
The bike really ran well and the engine sounded even quieter than normal after the oil change. And I actually ended up running with 2WD engaged on the back roads at the university. Having 2WD and reverse is really a luxury!
According to the rules on the PBC site, one needs to complete three "approved" rides below freezing to qualify. I figure that every day will be below freezing for the next couple of months. I won't do a blog post for every single PBC video. Right now, I'm waiting for the video to render then have to wait for the upload to YouTube. Maybe one post per week with multiple videos per post...
It's all in having the right gear I think. I wasn't even a little cold while out riding. Though I must admit that the faring on my '83 R100RT is much warmer than the Ural windshield and lower guards. On the Beemer, I rarely needed the heated grips unless it was well below 0°F.
Sash just rode her Indian Scout through 37 F temps over the mountains without a windshield, and without a face shield. But I can't imagine 15 F even with wind protection!
Today was pretty nice, almost 30°F warmer than my PBC #2 ride on 12-24-14. Full face helmet makes a big difference. I'm using a Bombardier Modular helmet (snow machine helmet) with ducting so the shield doesn't fog up. Gerbing heated jacket liner and gloves, Roadcrafter Light one-piece riding suit, heated grips and bar end grip covers.
Your trees are so perfectly dipped in snow! And the sky looks like it's full of more snow. How much snow do you have now?
Taking all these videos must give you a new look at your routes. It's one more way for you to enjoy living where you live and I appreciate you sharing it.
It seems to be steady state at a little over a foot. As more snow falls, the older snow packs down.
When I first started riding, I used to take different routes all the time. These days, I tend to just go back and forth. I tend to do all of my running around on the way home.
Richard, a magical ride in some beautiful light. In thinking about ground clearance and "hanging up" beneath, how deep can it get before navigating is a problem?
You Alaska guys are way tougher than me, a Montana guy. I was whining today as it didn't quite hit 60* here in Yuma AZ. ....lol
ReplyDeleteIt's all in having the right gear I think. I wasn't even a little cold while out riding. Though I must admit that the faring on my '83 R100RT is much warmer than the Ural windshield and lower guards. On the Beemer, I rarely needed the heated grips unless it was well below 0°F.
DeleteSash just rode her Indian Scout through 37 F temps over the mountains without a windshield, and without a face shield. But I can't imagine 15 F even with wind protection!
ReplyDeleteToday was pretty nice, almost 30°F warmer than my PBC #2 ride on 12-24-14. Full face helmet makes a big difference. I'm using a Bombardier Modular helmet (snow machine helmet) with ducting so the shield doesn't fog up. Gerbing heated jacket liner and gloves, Roadcrafter Light one-piece riding suit, heated grips and bar end grip covers.
DeleteAlmost balmy temperatures given your location. Again nicely done with the music, Richard.
ReplyDeleteVery balmy temperatures but it didn't last long. It's back to -26°C again today. Thank you
DeleteDashing through the snow
ReplyDeleteOn a 2 wheel drive Ural
Its the only way to go
While playing in the snow
Varoom, varoom,varoom
Thanks for us taking us along on such a beautiful ride from the comfort of the Phoenix 34 degree morning
34°F in Phoenix seems pretty cold. That must mean that you have crystal clear skies!
DeleteVery imaginative lyrics. When is the recording coming out?
Love the photo!
ReplyDeleteYour trees are so perfectly dipped in snow! And the sky looks like it's full of more snow. How much snow do you have now?
Taking all these videos must give you a new look at your routes. It's one more way for you to enjoy living where you live and I appreciate you sharing it.
It seems to be steady state at a little over a foot. As more snow falls, the older snow packs down.
DeleteWhen I first started riding, I used to take different routes all the time. These days, I tend to just go back and forth. I tend to do all of my running around on the way home.
Richard, a magical ride in some beautiful light. In thinking about ground clearance and "hanging up" beneath, how deep can it get before navigating is a problem?
ReplyDeleteHow often are your trees that frosty?
The exhaust is the lowest hanging parts so once they are on packed snow, no more traction. So maybe 6" or so...
Delete