Wind, leaves, rain & pitch dark

[Stig / Major Tom]

Rain was around -  but this was my first chance in several days to ride.
It started raining as I rode off my driveway 2.5 hrs before sunrise this morning.
It is dark.
Like the inside of a cat.

I took the scooter with ABS and the 50W headlight  - like that will keep me safe in the wind/rain/dark/leaves!





Daughter drove us back to Yellow Springs to get a better look at the foliage -


and (Friday night!) take-home dinner from Bentino's!


The scoot perfoms flawlessly in the wet, on the Angels - and the Oxford hi-viz rain over-jacket is the best!

Stig

[Iahawk]

cool pics...but, man, looks like a scene from a horror movie! Cold, dark, wet, windy and leafy...you are one of a kind to continually ride in those conditions! Thank goodness for bright lights, ABS and good tires! (and waterproof clothing)

[Stig / Major Tom]

cool pics...but, man, looks like a scene from a horror movie! Cold, dark, wet, windy and leafy...you are one of a kind to continually ride in those conditions! Thank goodness for bright lights, ABS and good tires! (and waterproof clothing)

Been doing night rides for years....often windy - leaves every fall. Decent temps then a rain ride is a 'go'.
I don't always choose a rain ride - but if the day if free of other obligations the rain won't stop me.

I kinda like being comfortably encased and dry and listening to the rain bouncing off my helmet - like dry Cheerios hitting it.

It is a little embarrassing to be standing in Dino's making a little puddle. I try to shake off before I go in, but....
Dino is a character - gruff guy who scares my daughter.
We were leaving yesterday and I said good bye to the gal serving at the counter, Dino stuck his head out down the hall and yelled, "And STAY out!" as we walked to the door. He was laughing.
I tried to tell her he's the friendliest guy, really - with a wicked sense of humor!

She did suck up her nerve enough to talk to him at the street fair the other week. He was a gentlman. I can tell that he likes her. We've been going in there for years. When she was little she'd just get a juice.

I have to admit - there are times when I look at my watch in bed and see that it is 7:30AM - and I'll think "this time yesterday I was finishing my coffee on the Group W, miles away from this warm bed!"



Besides - night/wet shots are .....fun?

Stig

[Neil955i]

Yep, it does look a tad moist Stig!  I’ll agree with you on one point too, those Oxford Rainseal over jackets are the bees’ knees!  Got caught out in a downpour in mine and quite simply, stayed bone dry. Excellent.

On the subject of wet leaves though, I had another moment on Thursday night. Getting me to wonder if it’s a weakness in the OEM CST rubber?  I don’t expect miracles, after all wet leaves ARE slippery as heck, but I never experienced this with the Michelin City Grips?

[Stig / Major Tom]

Yep, it does look a tad moist Stig!  I’ll agree with you on one point too, those Oxford Rainseal over jackets are the bees’ knees!  Got caught out in a downpour in mine and quite simply, stayed bone dry. Excellent.

On the subject of wet leaves though, I had another moment on Thursday night. Getting me to wonder if it’s a weakness in the OEM CST rubber?  I don’t expect miracles, after all wet leaves ARE slippery as heck, but I never experienced this with the Michelin City Grips?

Yeah, wet leaves and tight downhill bends get my full attention.  Of course it helps to know my route so well. I can ride it in the dark and rain, and know where the leaves will be.
I did the mature thing and skipped going over to ride up a wicked steep and bendy road near YS...
It was still dark and raining.  I figured climbing the switchbacks would be no problem....but I'd probably lose the bike trying to get back down! Not worth it for a couple photos!
Daughter drove us later in her Scion.

I like these new Angels, and the City Grips, but then my riding style doesn't much challenge tires.
Stig