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Scooting in a winter wonderland
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Snow riding... not for the faint of heart.
I am sitting in my toasty little apartment in Cheesman Park, looking out the window. And despite the fact that the snow is falling and I can feel a wicked draft every once in a while come off said window, I keep hearing that distinctively summertime sound... of scooters.
So far this morning, I've counted no fewer than three heading down the snowy, treacherous road in front of my house. Heck, I've been to cold lately to even write or think about scooters (outside of my job and Tuesday's gimme-day weather) but the last of the hardcore scooterists just keep trucking down 13th in the slushy chaos outside.
Snow-time scootering may be an admirable show of gumption (or just proof that you sold your car, bought a shiny new scoot, and didn't anticipate Colorado's fickle winter weather). But it's certainly not without its safety concerns. There is no way, on a two wheeler, to shift power "from the wheels that slip to the wheels that grip." In negotiating icy patches, scooter wheels come only in the "that slip" variety, and it can be scary business.
Aside from properly suiting up (warm coat, most preferably with a layer of road-rash preventing armor, thick pants like Carharts or snowmobiler gear, boots, fullface helmet, armored gloves and the ever-important muffler), winter-weather riding involves a lot more strategy and skill. Snowy, gritty roads are tough on scooters and riders. The scooter will sustain extra wear and tear due to mag chloride residue and wet snow kicking up into the moving parts beneath the bike. And I don't think I've ever seen anyone smile as they hop off their bike encased in salty slush.
So while I salute the audacity of snowstorm scooterists, I think I'll keep the Bajaj under its cover, stay in my apartment for now, and check out the RTD website for ways to get to work.
