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Post by surfpick on Oct 21, 2014 10:05:23 GMT -5
North Central Florida here. Last 2 Winters the low temps were in the high 20's but I've seen it drop to the teens some years. (I hope my Jacaranda trees get bigger & stronger before that happens again!)
My car is going on eBay as early as today, so this Winter the scooter will be my only transportation. I only need to leave to get groceries 10 miles away, so I'll be able to wait for the warmer days & the warm part of the day but I'm a total cold weather pussy. Brrrrr.
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Post by earlwb on Oct 21, 2014 11:04:36 GMT -5
I get less enthused about riding when it is cold nowadays as I get older and older over time. But I used to ride most everyday, rain or shine and as long as there was no ice on the roads. There were a number of times where I would be shivering and shaking from the cold on long trips. I would stop at a restaurant to warm up before heading on down the road.
Of course I don't do that now.
I used to have a Norton Commando and I had the special electric underwear, socks and gloves made for the bike. It had a couple of power plugs on the air filter box for that purpose. I used to ride the bike in the winter from TwentyninePalms California to Glendale Arizona on most four day holidays. That was when I was in the military way back then. The electric underwear, gloves and socks were awesome. They do sell electric underwear, socks and gloves for motorcyclists today still.
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Post by xyshannen on Oct 21, 2014 13:06:52 GMT -5
oldchopperguy Awesome pic Leo! One thing I'm considering is changing what time I do dialysis...Currently it's after 9PM before I get done. One night not to long ago, we had a little cold snap and I had to ride home in a pair of shorts and a T-shirt. I about froze my rear off. Your especially sensitive to cold after undergoing dialysis and it was no fun!
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Post by oldchopperguy on Oct 21, 2014 13:22:19 GMT -5
Scooter,
I thought I was the only one still up... LOL!Yeah, back in '62, in that old photo, I was sixteen... Nearly 400 pounds of "all that on a stick" or so I thought... Duh... With age comes wisdom. I think! OMG! SIXTEEN! What a bruiser! Yeah, but I was friendly! The Teddy-Bear type.
Now, if you REALLY want "BIG"... There was in our group, "Tiny". A local biker publication did an article on us back then, and the reporter didn't have a camera... Pretty small-time pub... LOL! Neither did I, that pic of me being taken by a pal's Brownie.
So, being the artsy type, I painted a picture of "Tiny" for the article! See below...
Paul "Tiny" Juncunc was a co-inventor of the max-security padlocks still used today. And at 6' 11" tall, and well over 650 pounds, he was something to behold. Thankfully, he too was most friendly... Loved kids and small animals. And bikes! He could fold a quarter like a taco between his fingers, and I've seen him remove and re-tighten lug-nuts with his bare fingers... Until they SQUEAK!
His Mom and Dad, Brother and Sister were true genetic giants. They did not have Acromegaly like many huge folks... They were just very, VERY B-I-G...
We had a quite a variety of types among our riding pals... Big, small, fat and skinny, guys, gals... But we ALL loved bikes. Those of us still alive and kicking, still do! They're just a little tamer versions today.
Just goes to show how bikes appeal to everybody!
Ride safe,
Leo
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Post by surfpick on Oct 21, 2014 13:31:25 GMT -5
I painted a picture of "Tiny"
...at 6' 11" tall, and well over 650 pounds, he was something to behold.
Just goes to show how bikes appeal to everybody!
Ride safe,
Leo
Yikes!  What a Beast. Very skilled artwork. |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Oct 21, 2014 13:47:51 GMT -5
Surfpick,
Thanks... Yeah, Tiny was a big one! Cheesh, could he EAT! I've always had a knack for art, and made a good living as an art-director for decades. I went totally broke back around 2000 while dealing with some dishonest folks in a business. Today, commercial art is all different. Lots of talented folks out there on computers. My once in-demand talent went the route of the dinosaur.
So... I make do with what I have... Social Security, a little work on the side, etc. Like most guys my age. I've got aches, pains and poverty, but on the other side, I have a wonderful wife, two fine cats, a hand-me-down Honda car that never dies and a really great scooter. And without getting into any religious arguments, I have the good Lord... That's enough for this old geezer.
Posting about "the good old days" brought back some fond memories! It's hard to believe how FAST a half-century goes by. Enjoy the time you have... It doesn't last long!
We're not all Shirley McClain... We only go round ONCE in life... LOL! Enjoy the ride, it's all too short.
Leo (closing in on the end of the trail) in Texas
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Post by oldchopperguy on Oct 21, 2014 13:54:20 GMT -5
oldchopperguy Awesome pic Leo! One thing I'm considering is changing what time I do dialysis...Currently it's after 9PM before I get done. One night not to long ago, we had a little cold snap and I had to ride home in a pair of shorts and a T-shirt. I about froze my rear off. Your especially sensitive to cold after undergoing dialysis and it was no fun! Xyshannen,
I know undergoing dialysis is no fun. It IS a life-saver though. Could be that while you are going through it, a cure will be developed so you no longer need it... With today's medical advances, it's VERY possible! The missus and I will be hoping for that to happen for you.
At least you will have a first-class ride to go on!
Hang in there... Better days are comin'... 
Leo
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Post by surfpick on Oct 21, 2014 15:18:44 GMT -5
It's hard to believe how FAST a half-century goes by. Enjoy the time you have... It doesn't last long! Leo (closing in on the end of the trail) in Texas I hear that. The older we get, the faster it flies by. |
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Post by scooter on Oct 21, 2014 16:13:27 GMT -5
The art work is excellent. The mirror finish on the helmet is amazing and well the whole thing is beautiful. Nice work, Leo.
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Post by xyshannen on Oct 21, 2014 18:34:58 GMT -5
I know undergoing dialysis is no fun. It IS a life-saver though. Could be that while you are going through it, a cure will be developed so you no longer need it... With today's medical advances, it's VERY possible! The missus and I will be hoping for that to happen for you.
At least you will have a first-class ride to go on!
Hang in there... Better days are comin'...
Leo
Oh I do! Been doing this since 07. Taking care of yourself (taking it easy) and watching your diet and fluid intake and you can do this for years and years. And it's those advances that are keeping me from wanting to undergo a transplant that's only going to last 5-15 years.....usually round 7. I'm realativly young..how many times do I want to be cut in half in one lifetime.  You have a real talent there man. One day... maybe trading some leather work for some custom art on the scoot would be a real pleasure. |
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Post by rockynv on Oct 21, 2014 20:51:57 GMT -5
Ride year round in Tampa Bay. T-Shirt with shorts on a 150? Your going to dialysis to save your life so please ride more properly attired on the ride back.
In Northern New England I rode year round with some winter gear I picked up at the Army/Navy Store. Almost made of fire hose material and really tough and warm. Looked out of place on a Mobyette 50 but it was the fuel crises and my Power Wagon with the 440 did not sip fuel to say the least.
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Post by xyshannen on Oct 21, 2014 22:50:42 GMT -5
Point well taken and heard loud and clear.. It was a poor choice and not one I plan on repeating. It was one I made because it's only a mile or so from my house....but still sheet happens and it would suck to have a spill in those clothes.
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Post by oldchopperguy on Oct 21, 2014 23:46:47 GMT -5
The art work is excellent. The mirror finish on the helmet is amazing and well the whole thing is beautiful. Nice work, Leo. Thanks! Have a bone!
I was sixteen then, and just getting started in art as more than a hobby. I graduated the American Academy of Art in Chicago, then got drafted... The Army was good, and I spent my time as an illustrator in the 15th PSYOP Battalion. Doing all the propaganda got me into advertising art later on... LOL! We DID manage to save a bunch of lives on BOTH sides of the Viet Nam war with our efforts though.
I still like art when I can do something with it.
Ride safe!
Leo
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Post by oldchopperguy on Oct 21, 2014 23:57:31 GMT -5
You have a real talent there man. One day... maybe trading some leather work for some custom art on the scoot would be a real pleasure. [/quote][/p]
That would be great, except for one thing... I have NO talent for airbrushing on bikes... Sad but true! I tried it many times, and the "gift" just was not there. I guess as Clint Eastwood said: "a man's gotta know his limitations..."
The one thing I DID figure out though, was doing art on paper, then scanning into the computer and making a graphic that way. It's sorta fun... That's how I did the banner on this website... I drew the scooter in black and white, then found a picture of a city and totally changed it. Then I added the scooter rider, color and copy with the computer. Scanners are VERY handy!
Hang in there!
Leo
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Post by scooter on Oct 22, 2014 0:00:30 GMT -5
The art work is excellent. The mirror finish on the helmet is amazing and well the whole thing is beautiful. Nice work, Leo. Thanks! Have a bone!
I was sixteen then, and just getting started in art as more than a hobby. I graduated the American Academy of Art in Chicago, then got drafted... The Army was good, and I spent my time as an illustrator in the 15th PSYOP Battalion. Doing all the propaganda got me into advertising art later on... LOL! We DID manage to save a bunch of lives on BOTH sides of the Viet Nam war with our efforts though.
I still like art when I can do something with it.
Ride safe!
Leo
You are just full of surprises, my man!   |
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