End of Winter Riding?

Don't let the snowfall fool you. It was 65F two days ago.

Why is the bike outside? Why did I ride in freezing temps this week?

The Saturn had an intake gasket vacuum leak that kept the rpm's in the 4000's. We had to put it in the shop. That put me riding at sunrise and sunset. The first couple mornings were right at freezing. The chaps work well. I still believe that a scarf is the most warming piece of riding gear. All wrapped up, freezing really is comfortable.


Despite my recent "mid" winter ride, the Bev didn't want to start up. Thanks to Jose for turning me on to a trickle charger. Worked like a charm, after I stopped in to Vespa to ask how to find the battery.

So why aren't we parked here?


Well, I busted the garage door. There was a 1/2" gap on one side that I tried to repair with weatherstripping. This raised the other side a 1/2". I thought I could loosen the door cables to level it all out. It did.

Then I decided I could replace the frayed cable on the opposite side. Loosening this cable released the spring tension.

I was surprised that it's impossible to lift a 16' wooden door without power assist. Too bad the vehicles were still in the garage. I spent six hours using blocks and a car jack raising the door. Just before the door was high enough to clear the truck I tried to move the truck into place.

The truck got away from me and smashed the bottom wooden panel. Now it wouldn't go up or down. I had to disassemble the door mid-raise. A week later, the wife and re-assembled the door in the down position to keep heat and our possessions in the garage.

A new door is ordered. Until then, the vehicles are parked outside, snow and all...