Image by Shutterhack via Flickr
While riding in a vehicle you are protected from the elements and will never notice the subtle changes in temperature that you can while riding a motorcycle. When standing, walking or running the changes are generally to slow to notice. There is nothing better while riding on a hot day than to take slight dip in elevation and feel a pocket of cooler breeze against your skin. I think that is one of my favorite things that I enjoy about riding.
If you ride on a regular basis you will pick up on patterns of temperature changes while you ride. This is because hot air rises and cold air sinks. If the road you are traveling suddenly takes a drop in elevation you generally can actually feel the drop in temperature as you descend. Since cold air seeks lower elevations, naturally you will find it along creeks and rivers. Of course, the opposite of this is true as well. In Texas you can sometimes feel these temperature changes on longer bridges and overpasses.
Another factor that comes into play is the location of cover. Trees and buildings also block the wind and as the day warms up they will hold the cooler air at bay. There is a small wooded area with a creek in it by my house and usually on a hot day I will feel a nice cool section of the road while riding through the area. I don’t know why it feels so invigorating but I guess it just makes you more cognisant that you are alive.
Some temperatures are just not comfortable and you better have the correct riding gear to compensate for it. Hot weather gear for summer, cold weather gear for winter and rain gear for the rain. It is fun to race a storm to your destination before it starts to rain, or to stay out in front of a storm. Tornadoes, lightning or hail is not something you wish to tangle with on the back of a motorcycle.
Having your senses bombarded with information is just one of the things that make riding a motorcycle so exciting and enjoyable. Feeling the temperatures change as you ride is quite exhilarating and is definitely one of the reasons I prefer to ride.
Ride on,
Torch
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Very well said! You make me want to get out and find one of those pockets of colder air.
ReplyDeleteThat's a fantastic image Torch!
ReplyDeleteWonderful post, I couldn't agree more. I especially love those cool pockets riding downtown on a hot summer night :) Normally the temp is drastic enough for me to feel it thru my summer riding jacket
ReplyDeleteAwesome essay, Torch! Reminds me of the sudden chill you feel when you ride in the shadow of a mountain on a warm day, or the thickening dampness of the air as a sudden thunderstorm gathers, or the waves of searing heat that rise from the midsummer pavement. Thanks for the great reminder that riding sharpens all your senses and keeps you close to the elements. I know that makes me feel more alive.
ReplyDeleteReminds me of coming down off the Cascade Mountain range late in the day. I couldn't wait to lose elevation so I could warm up!
ReplyDeleteReminds me of coming down off the Cascade Mountain range late in the day. I couldn't wait to lose elevation so I could warm up!
ReplyDeleteInteresting post, it's often difficult to identify just what it is that makes riding so addictive and you've put your finger on one aspect alright. I raced a building storm riding through the "Karoo" on one of my trips and what a day that was, unforgettable!
ReplyDeleteTorch:
ReplyDeleteYou must have changed the Login procedure. As Jack "r" I could never figure out how to leave a comment, until now. Yes, that picture is stunning. Right you are about your senses. Last year while riding into the interior of British Columbia on the Coquihalla Highway through the mountains it went down to around 16c (61F). I almost had to put on my liners, then when we came down the mountain 15 mins later the temps soared to the mid 80's. I notice it more in the fall when riding from sunlight into the shade.
For some reason climate change has made our area much warmer during the summer and it is refreshing to take an evening ride when it is much cooler.
bob
<A HREF="bobskoot">http://www.wetcoastscootin.blogspot.com">bobskoot: wet coast scootin
excellent post torch!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the great comments and compliments. Speaking of comments, I'm still experimenting with this JSkit commenting stuff....
ReplyDeleteRide on,
Torch