The winter months...what do you do?

**Streetwise** · 26th March 2006, 17:00

Originally Posted by Jackrat

I don't really think about seasons and riding,ya' just get cold an wet sometimes is all.
As for winter,that's deer stalking time for me.I don't hunt during the summer months but once the leaves start to fall I'm out there getting rained/snowed on.
I also do a lot of beach combing for Ambergriss during winter.I average $5000pa collecting ambergriss and have done a LOT better than that some years.
Hell yeah winter rocks!!

What do you search the beach for??

**Streetwise** · 26th March 2006, 17:03

aaaaa got it dont worry, cheers

**Gremlin** · 26th March 2006, 17:28

Winter... my gear is not going to be dry immediately, bike will get filthy. Oh well.

Only annoying thing is getting more kitted up for the rain. Warehouse pants over your pants, gloves inside your sleeves etc.

And I just got a bloody summer jacket 2 weeks ago. Drat. Back to the other one. If this winter is colder than last, I might even have to put the liner more than twice.

Life goes on. Oh, must stop riding on the lane markers. Inside of the bike going nuts, I'll be sliding down the road

**Swoop** · 26th March 2006, 17:33

Originally Posted by Jantar

Is that skiing? or motorcycling? The only place I know of with public roads where it can get as low as -20 is just up the road from here at Ophir. They hold the New Zealand record at -21.2.

I reckon I do some pretty hard winter riding, but at anything less than -6 the bike stays in the shed until it warms slightly. Of course there are times that I'll head to work at -5, but when I return home it has cooled to -8 or there abouts.

Neither.
I have been standing first in line waiting for the lifts to open at the skifield and it is only -5 degrees.
-20 is in Auckland in winter - only if you think upwards. Thermals are your friend.

**Swoop** · 26th March 2006, 17:47

Originally Posted by Lazy7

because its just not fun.

apart from being wet and miserable. you have to add a whole bunch more awareness to your riding (on top of the way you already have to watch for every bloody thing on the bike as it is)

so as well as watching all the cagers and the stupid shit they do - you have to start watching the road more as well, painted lines, steel man hole covers, leaves and debris that turn to slimely slick stuff. It all adds to one big headache that removes that feeling of freedom you get from riding in more or less a carefree way.

This is a troll, right??? Has to be.

All those who abandon 2 wheels for 4 during winter are adding to the road congestion.
This is the BEST time to be on 2 wheels!!! I have a voice in the helmet who seems to laugh at the traffic congestion during summer, but screams with hysterics during winter!
Please put a KB sticker on your cage rear-windscreen so I can laugh even harder when I pass you.

**Jantar** · 26th March 2006, 18:11

Originally Posted by Swoop

Neither.
I have been standing first in line waiting for the lifts to open at the skifield and it is only -5 degrees.
-20 is in Auckland in winter - only if you think upwards. Thermals are your friend.

Umm, I guess I'm a bit thick. Are you saying that Auckland gets to -20 degrees?, or by "think upwards" are you meaning that the - is actually a +?

In that case you certainly don't need thermals.

**riffer** · 26th March 2006, 20:03

Like some of you, the bike is the only transport. So for me its ride, or take the train.

And I only take the train if I'm going to watch the Hurricanes play.

So for the winter months, what do I do? - pull the tank off the bike and get some RTV all over the coils and plug leads, change the oil, get some new tyres if needed, and get used to riding in wet gear.

The gloves have only just dried today and I guess they'll be wet all week again (both pairs), and the cordura has a new home next to the fire (much better than that nasty cold gargre).

I don't mind the wet - even in the traffic. It's the ice on the road that gives me the shits.

**kiwifruit** · 26th March 2006, 20:12

Riding a big bike on the road in the pissing rain is less enjoyable than riding the same bike on a sunny day, sure.
Riding in the wet does require more care, sure, but its still great fun IMHO.
As long as you stay warm and pretty much dry its all good!
Riding a dirt bike in the wet is HEAPS of fun too.

**Big Dave** · 26th March 2006, 20:40

Mind you all you rainy day hardarses - I've been hunkered in front of the puter, box or playstation all day.

I must admit I don't often set out in the rain for a pleasure ride - if it's business or a trip somewhere then it's on with the dririders and no dramas.

but for pleasure....welll.....

**skelstar** · 26th March 2006, 20:55

I learnt to ride in the winter. I remember Uncle_B saying 'woo hoo summer...you cant ride all you want!'. I dont remember thinking that I couldnt rie when I wanted then!?!?
I think the weather is more settled in the winter.

**fishb8nz** · 26th March 2006, 23:15

Commute daily Hamilton to Huntly, for shiftwork. Still not keen on really heavy rain but still manage about 80% biking. Our heavy fogs are worse than the rain, especially when it's just above freezing, it gets very cold and wet and difficult to see possums and pukekes and other road-kill, in the dark.

**Dafe** · 27th March 2006, 06:21

Originally Posted by Uncle B

I love a crisp morning ride, wakes you up and makes you feel alive.....cold but alive.

Uncle B........ Winter is not the time for those nudist antics!

**buellbabe** · 27th March 2006, 06:49

Great to see that the general response is " what d'ya mean? I ride all year round..." DITTO to that infact I love Autum/Winter riding, the air temp is brisk and I'm not sweltering in a heat wave... the bike loves the cooler temps too... there plenty of winter gear on the market... ya just got harden up abit ;-)