OVER COMING COLD WEATHER RIDING

Biker #1 " Have you been riding this week?"
Biker #2 " No it's been too cold for me. Have you been riding?"
Biker #1 "Yes, I put on 70 miles this week!"

What biker are you?

I call biker #1 THE EVERY DAY RIDER
To be an every day rider in Northern Minnesota one needs to learn how to be a Cold Weather Rider, or as we motorcycle mutants say you need to become a CWR.

KICKSTAND ARRIVING HOME FROM WORK

What does it take to become a CWR? Well in my opinion there are at least four factors.

1. Being a motorcycle nut

2. Having proper clothing

3 .Necessity

4. Having a cold weather bike

I was born a motorcycle nut, but the first 56 years of my life I didn't have a motorcycle. I just did other nutty things. If you have several of the following traits you have the right stuff to be a motorcycle nut.

• enjoy inclement weather
• don't mind getting dirty and muddy
• not redistricted to conventional behavior
• not interested in acting your age
• not very concerned about personal appearance
• like really fresh air
• like physical challenges
• don't mind looking stupid
• if in a relationship have a significant other who does not try to shape your behavior
• have a moderate to high tolerance to pain
• don't mind the unexpected
• think Mr. Rogers was a great guy

Proper Clothing

It is a must. You need some motorcycle specific stuff; like an all weather jacket and pants beyond that you can improvise with layering clothing, choppers, thin polypropylene hat under helmet etc. I have found Sorrels (winter pack boots) to be essential.

Necessity

It helps if you do not have other transportation options. In my case, my wife and I only own one car. There are days that commuting to work together fits our schedules, but several days each week requires me to spend longer hours at work. I like my job, but I have my limits. So as soon as our winter roads are some what clear and the weather hovers around freezing, I am motivated to ride a cycle.

Cold Weather Bike

One needs a bike that will start in cold weather and that can get dirty without damaging the owners psyche. I have found the perfect bike for me. It is an older two cycle trail/sport bike. Two cycle engines start very nicely in cold weather. Since it is a 125 cc it's light and maneuverable. I like the knobby tires too!

This year I started commuting to work on March 1. This is the earliest start for me. I have been able to do this due to warmer than average temperatures, no accumulating snow and just because I'm stupid.

If you need specific counseling regarding cold weather biking email me.

MOTORCYCLING AND MARRIAGE

When discussing motorcycling and marriage, love is not usually the first word that comes to mind. Motorcycles have historically caused friction in martial relationships. Take for example the book BACKFIRED MARRIAGE where a happily married couple experience some rough relationship roads, because the husband gets interested in collecting and riding British bikes.

The Nobody Motorcycle Museum recently installed an exhibit which features a love seat in front of several motorcycles. Along with the display, the curator Flash has included a video, art exhibit and radio play that addresses issues related to marriage and motorcycling.


Display Titled LOVE AND BIKES


Flash has done an excellent job exploring the complex interplay between couples and their motorcycles. I happen to be married to a woman who enjoys riding motorcycles too. One would think that such a common interest would eliminate any tensions or troubles related to bikes. Well on the contrary, it introduced new issues into a 29 year marriage. Initially I started riding and my wife reluctantly was a passenger on occasion. She then started instructing me on how to ride; including information on increasing my speed, rolling through corners with more speed, jumping quicker a stop lights and not being such a wimp about trying a wheelie. Since my wife started riding, I am talking to her about paying attention to speed limits, weaving through traffic and why a 1000cc sport bike would be impracticable for her.



DIRTY DEEDS AND KICKSTAND AT THE LOVE SEAT DISPLAY

Flash claimed that the display would have a positive impact on motorcycling couples and I have to admit after sitting in the love seat for just a few seconds my wife and I understood each other better. Dirty Deeds will be getting a 2008 Honda CBR 1000 and I will be buying my badly needed 1997 Honda ST 1100.

NEW ZEALAND'S INTEREST IN NOBODIES

The Nobody Blog Staff have noticed over the past month or so a spike in visits from New Zealanders. Actually this should not be surprising as the Nobody Blog is the fastest growing motorcycle blog in the world* and New Zealand has a very strong motorcycle community.

Wellington New Zealand's Motorcycle Parking

The climate is great for cycling and the price of gas encourages economic motor travel. There is designated motorcycle parking in Wellington, NZ. Now Duluth Minnesota would never do that as our season in a meer 4 - 7 months depending how crazy and hard core the rider. The only thing Duluth offers bikers is motorcycle sized pot holes to deposit one's bike.
The Nobodies have been an international organization for about 2 years. It's first international member was from the UK.













* statistical methods used to support this claim use imaginary variables a and b.