So thanks to many brickers I find myself headache free if for just a moment. On a cold morning recently I sent my wife off to work, uncovered the 94 K75s, put in fresh plugs and oil, gave her a non water based cleaning so her red was shining bright, loaded Miles Davis' Bitches Brew into the headphones and took off map-less for a day of 22 degree riding. 50 miles later found me at the non ethanol mecca after seeing only one other bike on the road, ( a rare Moto Guzzi sighting actually). Warming my hands around a cup of delicious dark roast with a full tank and a coffin nail I hear the sounds of Harley Rider on the horizon. Expecting a chrome laden quick entrance I looked across the tarmac and waited, and waited and waited. Here comes the Michelin Man, no leather in sight, but a bright pink snow onesie, with black snow boarder boots, yet still rocking the open faced helmet with a beard hanging out from under a couple of scarves. I watch the cumbersome dismount and clumsy at best stumbling on boots never designed for walking. Then I witness the unzippering of the pinkness to reveal layers of jackets and thermals as Harley dude searches for his wallet. Five minutes later, my coffin nail extinguished, coffee drained he has still not found his wallet, so I wander over to chat. Amidst expletives and what not he tells a woeful story of home troubles and his icing on the cake he can not locate his wallet. In a Christmas mood I offer to fill his tank, during which time I get the skinny on the home troubles. Seems that Rick forgot the two year anniversary with his girlfriend and brought home new chrome on the said date. Girlfriend outraged that bike-love superseded girl love threatened to burn bike in HER garage if he and said bike were still there by sundown. Rick begged for forgiveness or at least a stay of execution since "Baby its cold outside" but she was pissed and had grabbed the gas can to show her intent. Rick's gear was lacking so he had borrowed the pinkness from his mom and the boots from his brother and had been out looking for a safe place to store his bike. Several friends had balked since girlfriends and wives tend to chat and form alliances against "wrong doers". Further chatting revealed that Rick was unable to ride more than 10 miles at under 35mph before the cold would get to him. When he asked me what I was doing out on such a cold day, I replied "Its not raining so I'm just riding" and went back to the Red Shiny to get lost on Tennessee back roads and dark jazz....
Moral of this story: Love your bike, Yes; Love the lady that lets you love the bike, without question!
So my questions: I have great gear(although renegade) for cold riding with the exception of keeping my hands warm. I have little desire to go the heated grip route since electricity seems to baffle me, but would love proven suggestions for gloves and/or grip covers. Recent updates in gear have pushed my limit down to the high teens for moderate rides (1+ hours), but would love to have full day rides when the sun is shining.
p.s. Tell your wife/girlfriend/husband/bike you love them, they like that kind of stuff....
