Editor’s Note:What appears below is a guest blog post from veteran biker Jeff Maddox, who regularly holds court over at the JMAdog blog.
Where did the summer go? As we get just that much closer to November and December I realize that most folks are putting their bikes up for the season. I’m not sure if I could take the thought of not riding and that’s probably why I keep mine out of hibernation. We all know it’s a little ridiculous to ride in 10 degree weather, but it doesn’t turn that cold overnight (at least not here in Kansas). Why is it that 40 degrees in the spring feels warmer than 40 degrees in the fall? It’s the gradual change in the temperature and the constant will to ride that keeps me going, day after day, mile after mile. Or is it the price of gas…
Either way, I bundle up and hope for the best. I should get paid to try out winter gear and write reviews. It would be hard for me to give up the stuff I use now because it has proven itself down to three degrees on my 22 mile commute. I don’t really want to know the wind-chill as that would probably be enough to make me park it right there. I hear stories of this “heated vest” and those “heated gloves” like they are something from the future, but I have yet to try them out. Uh yeah, I wouldn’t want to spoil myself.
So I grin and bear it. I complain in the heat, so it’s inevitable I’ll complain in the cold. But one thing is for sure, if I don’t ride, I always wish I did. Have you ever had that feeling? Half-way to work, I question my sanity. If I take the truck, I go insane. Go figure. I don’t think the words “I wish I wouldn’t have ridden today” have ever come out of my mouth. But you will hear “why didn’t I ride today?”
So as some of you are putting your bikes away for the winter and placing your helmet on the shelf, think about me and all of us that are out there riding through the cold. Don’t feel sorry for us as we are exactly where we want to be – riding. And when you pass us by admit it to yourself…you wish you were too!
