Canadian Commute

Couldn't take it any longer, had to take the bike to work his morning.

 

You're a mad man Rob!

I'm going to Florida in two days and I'm hoping the snow is gone when I get back. Can you take care of that for me please.

We were just sitting in the Tim Hortons having a coffe and watch a dude ride by on his bike. I'm thinkng to myself, this guy is just asking for trouble with the ice, gravel and dirt on the roads. I has been a looong winter up here and the natives are getting restless!

 

What was the temps like this morning? I can manage cold with proper gear, but not the risk with snow/ice..

 

But I am sure it was probably worth the risk you took though

 

Rob is only 15 miles away from my place as the crow flies.

We are seeing -7C at night and around the 0C mark in the mornings so 32Ffor the morning commute. Looks like we will see a whole +4C by afternoon.

 

Not sure about the eastern side of Canada, but here on the west coast in Kelowna we started the morning at a balmy 3*C (40*F) on my back deck so definitely warm enough to ride but still a lot of areas that can hover just above or below freezing depending on elevation. There is still a bit of snow melting off the sides of the road, and coming around a corner and in to the shade with a bit of snow melt can be a recipe for disaster. In BC they also tend to use a lot of sand and gravel here versus salt to help with winter traction and they have just started to clean the main roads. This makes the main roads safer but still a lot of the slippery stuff at intersections coming off the side streets making for some interesting conditions. Road sweeping should be completed where I live in a about a week or so. Temps for the next week are hovering in the mid to high teens (50-65*F) and above freezing over night. Finally, winter has come to an end, at least here anyway. I have been for a couple of rides already but care must be taken to watch out for the corners and the sandy stuff neat the edges of the road.

With any luck the rest of my Canadian brethern will be free of the stranglehold of the Canadian winter in the next couple weeks.

 

I was cautious with the corners and the shady spots were of concern. But life is soooo much better on 2 wheels. Not much longer before I get to take the long way home and enjoy the tropical like afternoon temps.

 

I've been seeing a few bikes on the road as well....and as much as I probably can ride the bike when it's not unbearable cold, I'm afraid of the salt ruining the bike, and/or the sand causing a down.

Soon though....hopefully

 

The 1200's are so light and nimble you can drive between the grains of sand and salt

 

Hahahahaha!!!!! Salt slalom

 

I was out on Saturday and have to admit that if I had riding pants I might have considered riding to Mississauga today. Probably start next week by the look of things as I am hoping to get riding pants and boots this weekend.
More power to you for riding today.
I guess it's time to think about a coffee meet thread soon.

 

Great idea, how about lunch in Buckhorn late April. What do you think Jethro? Maybe we could round up a few as we work west.

 

Shit Robclo you made me tear up. Finally I am not the only Canuck in the saddle

 

I'm with ya Randy, the UK clan doesn't let the elements take their bikes away, why should we. I'm looking into studding the PR3's for next winter.

 

I was up at Royal Distributing in Guelph on Saturday looking at gear and saw a few crazies in there carrying their helmets. +3C overcast and breezy was a bit too much for me to make the trip on 2 wheels from Milton...but watch out this long weekend!

 

I'm heading over there (Royal Distributing) Thursday evening looking for riding pants. I was one of the crazies out on Saturday.

 

:smile: I was looking at them too while I was there but I have to drop some of this winter's fat off my fat ass first.

 

Not looking forward to trying to get into my leathers this spring at all.

 

Yah that sounds doable!

I'm also looking at the superbike double header weekend at Elkhart Lake as a possible trip. Only 851 miles! We could do it in a day if we pushed and avoided the moose on the Trans Canada. Just an idea.

 

The wife has been feeding me weeds for the last few weeks so I'm actually down 10 pounds despite my cheating ways.