First Ride of the Year

[Fausto]

Just had a nice blast round my favourite route (well one of them). Just had to. I always get out on either Xmas day or NY day but 25th was so miserable it had to be today - which was fairly miserable too

Still I enjoyed it.

Good points.....

Roads were quiet.
Still kept up reasonable speeds.
Good practice.
Bike doesn't feel neglected.

Bad points....

Roads cold and wet.
Visibility poor.
Cold fingertips (even with heated grips)
Bike now very dirty.

I know I should wash it now but that would only put me off riding again in poor weather soon.

Happy New Year Y'all.

[BikerGran]

I always think that if you wash it when you come back from a riode on a damp day, then you're just putting it away even wetter than it would be if you didn't wash it!
My philosophy is that a nice coating of winter muck on top of the protective layer of WD40 protects it all winter and gets washed off in spring!

[Fausto]

Agreed - I'll only wash it if there is enough time for it to dry before storage.

Not sure about the WD40 though. Last winter I used the Scotoiler anti corrosion spray and it worked well. This winter I have just got some ACF 50 spray which I will try out. Depending on who you listen to it is either highly overpriced WD40-a-like OR wonderful stuff that rebuilds bikes no matter how tatty they have become. We shall see.