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Friday, 8 January 2016
Five Ways for Motorcyclists to Beat Snowy Days Winter is upon us. But it doesn’t mean the end of fun if you live in the snowbelt.
Yes, it’s that wonderful time of year for us in the flyover states. As we search for the best winterizing tips, the finest rearstands, which fuel stabilizer to use, and bemoan the oppressive chill, it’s hard not to be warmed by the sunny disposition of those in the sunny states who await us in the comment section. LOLZ WHAT’S A RIDING SEASON!? It’s hilarious, really. We haven’t heard it before. But, there is hope for us in frozen Antarmerica. There’s no need to go out and lick the closest metal pole for entertainment. Here’s five ways to survive and even thrive in the coldest of climes.
Photo: Courtesy of Polaris
1. Snowmobile Racing Snowmobiles promise the pleasantries of a wintery good time. Exploration! Beautiful sights! That’s all well and good, but as soon as there’s two sleds, well...as they say with a thick Wisconsin accent, “ Ooh ya know once dah snow drops, the golly gee BS stops.” One way to get your racing cravings in is to climb aboard the snowmobile of your choice and take on your friends, in a homologated setting, of course. Think supercross on sleds, with the jumps to match. One of the oldest and biggest races is the i-500, held in Michigan February 1-6. If you’re more the masochistic endurance type, you can try your sled at Iron Dog in Alaska. It’s only, 2,031 miles across the tundra.
Photo: Courtesy of Harley-Davidson
2. Ice Racing Ice skating, what a tranquil, peaceful hobby when water turns solid. Sure, the adrenalin is ramped up with hockey, but it’s just not fast enough. One brave, visionary soul in the dark, cold past looked out upon the ice and told himself, “I bet I could race on that.” So he went home, stuck spikes in his motorcycle tires, got a couple buddies, and played Mad Max on the lake, eh. The theory is simple: Go around a circle (or a “road” course) on your dirtbike on ice. Dragging your handlebar in corners. The execution is dicey, and tight, and made more fun because it’s like watching people in puffy jackets go at it like aggressive Michelin Men with two round hoops of spikes twirl beneath them. Safety third, indeed. It’s an AMA sanctioned championship, and we’ll be trying our hands at ice racing during Mama Tried Motorcycle show, among a couple other more hooligan-minded activities.
Photo: Courtesy of Good Spark Garage
3. Hardcore Street Riding/Sidecars This is a rider who knows no bounds. It’s not a competition against another person, but against nature itself. Yes, there exists that rider who refuses to turn it in. You’ll be driving along in your car, snow covering your field of vision as you strain to focus against the doddering traffic—you’re a hero in your mind’s eye. And then bagger will pass you ridden by Santa Claus. There is wisdom under that heated gear. Talk to them if you get the chance. And if the thought of two wheels during winter throws you, consider the three wheeled variety. Urals are ideal. Especially with a friend, as Good Spark Garage shows.
4. Dirt Bike Conversion Tracked-and-skied dirt bikes go by many names and nomenclatures, depending on who makes the kit. But whatever they’re called, they are the height of awesome. If snowmobiles are just a little bit too stodgy for you, then certainly a snowcross bike is perfect. Take a tank tread and a ski, place them on your dirt bike, attain awesomeness. Never put your dirt bike down for the winter again. Look at Timbersled and try not to smile.
5. Make Like a Snowbird. Winter in the north is gorgeous, really. But sometimes, this wonderland becomes truly unbearable. So what should you do? Make like a retiree and head for the sunshine. But why sit by the beach when you can sharpen your riding skills? Track days are still happening even as your molecules slow in the cold lull of January in Duluth. Elsewhere, people out there are still racing. In January we’re headed down to Johnny Lewis’ dirt track school for an immersive course to turn truly a ham fisted motorcyclist into something more of a proscuitto handed one. Plus, while your friends are sitting back home watching sportsball on TV, you’ll have a leg up on them come spring. And isn’t that what we all want most of all? Bonus Point: Get Trim. Take Nick Ienatsch’s advice and take the three months off to get started on your fitness. You’ll be glad you did come riding season.
5. Make Like a Snowbird. Winter in the north is gorgeous, really. But sometimes, this wonderland becomes truly unbearable. So what should you do? Make like a retiree and head for the sunshine. But why sit by the beach when you can sharpen your riding skills? Track days are still happening even as your molecules slow in the cold lull of January in Duluth. Elsewhere, people out there are still racing. In January we’re headed down to Johnny Lewis’ dirt track school for an immersive course to turn truly a ham fisted motorcyclist into something more of a proscuitto handed one. Plus, while your friends are sitting back home watching sportsball on TV, you’ll have a leg up on them come spring. And isn’t that what we all want most of all? Bonus Point: Get Trim. Take Nick Ienatsch’s advice and take the three months off to get started on your fitness. You’ll be glad you did come riding season.