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All Season Riding
Do You? Will You?
Living in Puget Sound leaves you with a choice to make each fall.
When the sun hides its head and the rain begins to fall, will you ride, or will
you park the bike and use another means of transportation to get from point 'a'
to point 'b'?
I remember the first fall/winter I rode here in the Northwest. It was
indeed a lesson in how to keep dry, warm and ride safe in not-so-safe
conditions. Rain or shine you know you're a sitting duck on a motorcycle,
but being a cold, wet duck just adds to the extra skill needed to be an all
season rider. And yet, it's possible to keep warm and dry on a 40 degree
day of rain.
Commuters know what it's like. Over the years they master the art of
keeping dry, keeping warm and keeping the senses keen every second of the
ride. Today I ride 99% of the time. It wasn't always like that and
it wasn't always fun getting to that point, but today I take a little pleasure
in being an all season rider. It took three years of riding on chilly, wet
days before I overcame many of the obstacles nature lies on the
road during the dark months. No one masters this art in one season.
So, if you're thinking about riding your bike this fall or winter, perhaps for
the first time, you'll be glad to know that Sound RIDER! has you in mind as you
take that journey. Already, our archive has a few features on products and
tips you may be interested in reading. Digging through the archive
you will find features on electric
clothing, what to wear when, and
some general safety tips that come in
handy rain or shine.
In the coming months, we will be publishing features on new products
available, wet weather safety tips, waterproofing what you have and the latest
in all season riding accessories. Stay tuned, enjoy what's in the archive
now and maybe when the Seattle International Motorcycle Show comes around in
December, you just might show up on your bike - rain or shine. Did you know
that bikes park for free at the event?
Ice and snow is another gamble we won't even take a shot at. If it's
snowing or icy, please stay off your bike.
Patrick Thomas/Fall 00
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