Making plans to do a ride is kinda like shooting dice, these days.. When the plan is made . the sun is shining and not a cloud to be seen.. The forecasters give us rosy predictions and all is well.. Come the day.. look out.. sheesh.. the temps fall into the twenties and the chill factor falls through the bottom.. Clouds move in and it just gets nasty as all get out.. Due to the cold.. the motorcycles get all grouchy and hard to start.. they cough, splutter and do all sorts of strange things .. Dang, better get this puppy in the shop, somewhere.. It's got all kinds of symptoms of serious problems.. Just relax a bit.. tomorrow the temps will rise, those clouds will disappear and everything will clear up.. Including all those "serious problems" that have caused such concern.. It's winter time in Texas, boys and girls.. Unpredictable.. sometimes savage and always a problem.. From the blistering summer heat .. to the frigid air that comes down here from the north pole or someplace .. there is just a few months of the year that anyone can experience ideal conditions for man, motorcycle or beast.. It could be worse.. we could be blanketed with snow and ice for so many months, like our neighbors in Canada and Alaska.. hmmmm.. some of our other neighbors like Minnesota, New York and Wyoming also have to endure those long winter months.. Months where their motorcycles sit .. packaged for protection against that cold .. Our snow and ice blankets only last for a couple of days at a time and are sporadic, at their worst.. Then we venture back out and continue our crusade against those elements.. We layer up our clothing and experiment with the latest gadgets to make our rides a bit more comfortable.. Now, by golly.. that is hardship.. With all the belly aching, we actually don't miss too many more days of riding in the bad stuff, than we'd ordinarily miss out on, because of other responsibilities, anyway.. The old thin bloodied bikers, just kind of hunker down to wait out these bad days while some of the more enthusiastic amongst us, brave these low temperatures, to demonstrate their dedication to riding.. Hey guys.. just remember.. these old thin bloodied veterans have been there and done that.. Many of us have been caught in conditions that are unimaginable on a motorcycle.. We made that ride and got back home in one piece.. We've skated on that black ice, and won.. Some of us have ridden through blizzards when the visibility was limited to highway lines next to our bikes.. Your enthusiasm and dedication to riding your bikes in extreme cold and heat is a delight to us all and we want to read and hear about those experiences that you have on the highways.. Just remember.. you are not the first.. and you want be the last to make these kinds of adventures.. There will more to follow in your footsteps as you join the ranks of these thin blooded old hands, who are waiting for the weather to warm up a bit.. Most importantly.. be safe when you make these cold rides.. and get back to the house in one piece.. Us old thin blooded ones enjoy your company when you sit beside us, and listen to the tales of past rides and close calls.. Regards to you all .. Bill Walker Irving
