Dear Winter,

Yes, it is that time of year that seems to have winter hanging on longer than it should. The holidays are a couple of months behind us and we are all collectively waiting (impatiently) for Spring to come. Although there are many aspects of winter that people enjoy, it is a motorcyclists natural nemesis... Unless you live in the southern hemisphere.

All bikers, no matter what style of motorcycle you ride, begin to get increasingly anxious for Spring to come once we hit this time of year. The excitement for the first ride, the anticipation of the freeing feeling that only a motorcycle can provide, and the desire to just be at peace on two wheels can all make the Spring feel a little farther away. However, there are some ways to help get through the late winter blues.

One of the things I start doing at this time of year is making a bucket list of where I'd like to ride. Whether it's just a couple of hours on a new stretch of highway, or a day trip to somewhere I haven't been in a number of years, any kind of ride planning helps to build some of the anticipation for the upcoming season. I also start looking ahead to ride calendars to see when some of the local charity rides are going to be taking place in the area. The Edmonton region has a few really good ones throughout the season, including the Ride for Mom, the Ride for Dad, the One Broken Biker rides, and the Christmas Toy Run. As these dates get finalized, it is a good benchmark to start planning your riding season and to ensure you have the time and availability to support these charities throughout the season.

This is also the time of year that I begin gathering all of the supplies and parts I need to do the Spring services on my bikes. My household has many two wheeled vehicles that always need some Spring maintenance, and I like to have everything in hand before the Spring rushes start and some of these supplies may be harder to find. Gathering oil change kits, air filters or air filter cleaning supplies, spark plugs, cleaning and polishing supplies, and any other maintenance items can become scarce in the Spring when everyone is looking to get their bikes ready for the season. Planning ahead and having these supplies in hand is another step towards the commencement of the riding season. When you have multiple machines in the garage and start compiling all of the supplies needed for those Spring tuneups, your garage may quickly look like a storage warehouse! However, it is a good feeling as those supplies get used and get your two wheeled machine ready for the Spring. For those of you who prefer to let a dealership do a Spring service on your personal two wheeled therapy, this is also the time of year you should look at booking the servicing appointments because the dealerships get very busy very quickly when Spring arrives.

The other thing I will do at this time of year is look at all of my riding gear. I will check when my helmets expire and see if I need to get new ones for the upcoming season. And for those of you that are reading this and are asking "Do helmets expire?", the answer is yes, they do. The foam, padding, and insulation in a helmet has a shelf life. When you are riding often, all of these materials begin to break down and do not provide the same protection as a brand new helmet. Of course, having an old helmet is better than no helmet at all, but there is no reason to increase the risk of an expired helmet than a new one. The average life of a motorcycle helmet is varying between brands, but I tend to get new helmets every three years. I will also look at my gloves. Are they starting to wear? Has some of the leather began to break down or the padding becoming thinner? If so, this is the time of year I will get new gloves. The same goes for riding boots or riding shoes if they are showing a lot of wear, and this also applies to riding jackets or vests.

All of this to say: Yes. Bikers hate winter. February and March can feel like they last an eternity, but there are things you can do in anticipation of Spring coming and to get excited about the upcoming season. Planning some rides, planning a road trip, getting ready with all of the oils, chemicals, consumables, and having a good look at your riding gear will all help pass the time as old man winter begins to lose his grip and the sweet smells of Spring begin to get closer!