PILLION PASSION

The World from the back of a bike

How cold is too cold?

Share the Passion
Facebook it
Tweet it
Google+ it

July 20, 2014 by pillionpassionista Leave a Comment

Zorro was hoping to get the new bike last week. And he was keen to go on a long ride asap. “Let’s go to Mudgee”, he said. “But it’s the middle of Winter”, I moaned. “Ha, we’ll just rug up,” he says. “Besides, the new bike has heated hand grips.” Yeah, good for the rider. I’d like a heated seat, thank you. (Haven’t even got the bike and I’m already regretting that it’s not a ‘proper’ tourer.)

I have discovered that winter riding isn’t all that bad. I am talking Sydney winter, of course. Which half the world scoffs at with “That’s not winter.”

Generally for me, if the sun is shining, life is good.

My winter riding gear consists of:

  • long johns tucked into winter-weight socks (put them on before pulling on my Drayko jeans)
  • my lovely woollen Icebreaker singlet that Zorro bought me in New Zealand
  • a second light layer under a fleecy pullover, zipped up to my chin
  • the lining in my Rjays jacket, and all the vents zipped shut
  • a scarf wrapped around my neck (flapping in the wind – makes me feel very French)
  • I’ve found that I can squeeze my leather (summer) gloves over a thin pair of woollen gloves. I can barely bend my fingers, but at least they don’t freeze into claws :)

And to my surprise, that keeps me toasty and warm.  As long as I’m warm, I’m happy.

But Mudgee? In mid-July??

Zorro laid out a plan. We’d leave early Saturday to arrive by mid-afternoon. No need to leave until the day begins to warm up Sunday, around 11am. Easy.

Despite my misgivings, I found myself checking Wotif.

And researching things to see and places to go.

Ooh, one of the wineries is doing a bonfire with marshmallows! Now we’re talking…

And then the weather bit.

Hard.

Friday, when Zorro was due to pick up the new bike, was one of the coldest days in Sydney and NSW in 20-something years.

There was snow and black ice across the Blue Mountains.

The news – and Facebook – was full of images of frozen things that rarely ever freeze. Some of it looked quite pretty. From the comfort of my warm, toasty bed.

snow between bathuest and orange, July 2014

Snowfall near Bathurst in July. (Photo by the talented David Roma of https://www.facebook.com/davidromaphotography)

Zorro didn’t even collect the bike. There’s always next week. Hopefully this crazy cold snap will have passed…

 

Filed Under: Bike gear, No ride Tagged With: gear, NSW, winter

About pillionpassionista

The pillionpassionista is discovering the joy of being on the back of a motorcycle, one weekend at a time. She rides with her partner "Zorro" in Sydney, Australia - the greatest city in the world (at least when the sun is shining and the roads aren't clogged).

« Test-riding the new bike
First road-trip on the new bike »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Wanna keep up..?

Signup to get Pillion Passion posts zoomed direct to your Inbox.

Who is the Pillion Passionista?

Who am I? Probably not who you imagine. Nothing like the cliched 'bikie chick', certainly.

I grew up in the middle-class leafy north shore of Sydney, worked in the corporate world for many years, and left my mid-life crisis behind me some miles back.

When I tired of playing second fiddle to my beloved partner's beloved motorbike, I decided I wanted to be a part of his weekend road trips.

Not fancying the idea of learning how to ride, I took the easy rider option and hopped on the back.

Follow along as the pillionpassionista discovers the joy of being on the back of a motorcycle, one weekend at a time.

She rides with her partner "Zorro" in Sydney, Australia - the greatest city in the world (at least when the sun is shining and the roads aren't jammed).

Categories

  • Bike gear (7)
  • No ride (9)
  • Ride days (12)
  • Uncategorized (1)

Search

Older Posts

  • July 2016
  • October 2015
  • April 2015
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014

Copyright © 2025