Let’s be honest — winter is a cruel joke played on some motorcycle riders. One minute you’re ripping fall twisties, leaves exploding everywhere like a Hallmark movie…The next minute you’re staring at your bike in the garage like, “You good?”

(Bike says nothing. Judgey silence.)

The roads are frozen, the salt trucks are roaring, and suddenly your pride and joy has been reduced to a very expensive, very beautiful statue. Welcome to the motorcycle winter blues. I get it. I live it. And no — telling me “it’s good for the bike” does not help my mental health.

🧠 Step 1: Accept That Winter Is Planning Season.

Yes, riding season is over for some of us. And no—scrolling summer ride photos at 2 a.m. while sulking on the couch is not a healthy coping mechanism (personal experience). Winter is planning season, where I go full mad scientist: building ride calendars, scouting worthy finds, plotting stops, and juggling it all with family time and work life. This is also prime time for watching ride videos, reading blogs, watching reels.

🔧 Step 2: Garage Therapy (A.K.A. Tinkering to Stay Sane)

When you can’t ride, you wrench. Winter turns the garage into my safe space — part workshop, part confessional. This is where I clean the bike way more than necessary – Change fluids that didn’t really need changing – Install parts I ordered at 1 a.m. during a “winter sadness shopping spree”

There’s something deeply therapeutic about turning bolts while the world outside looks like a frozen popsicle. Plus, nothing beats the confidence boost of knowing that when spring hits, your bike is ready before you are. Bonus points if you find a forgotten project and say, “Oh yeah… that.”

🧥 Step 3: Cold Riding Is Possible (But Let’s Not Be Dumb About It)

Now look — if winter throws you a random 45-degree, sunny unicorn day? Why not- You ride. But cold riding isn’t about being tough. It’s about being smart:

Layers Wind protection (Heated grips if you lucky to have). I’m not trying to prove anything. I’m just trying to feel an engine underneath me and remember what happiness feels like. Even a short winter ride beats pacing the garage like a zoo animal. And yes — coffee stops are mandatory. If my hands don’t work, the ride is over.

👥 Step 4: Stay Connected (Because Winter Sucks Alone)

One of the sneaky parts of winter blues is isolation. Winter becomes the season of: Group chats – planning and sharing old ride stories like they’re war tales Hosting or attending random get-togethers. Motorcycling has always been about more than the ride — it’s the people. Winter is when that matters most.

🎥 Step 5: Feed the Addiction (Responsibly)

Winter is peak: Motorcycle movies YouTube ride content Magazine flipping “Just browsing” gear purchases I tell myself it’s educational. Sometimes it even is. And yes — visiting motorcycle museums, shows, or dealerships “just to look” absolutely counts as therapy. No shame.

🧠 Final Thoughts: Winter Ends — Riders Don’t

Winter just tests our patience. So instead of letting the blues win:

Plan the next ride Prep the machine Stay connected Ride when it’s smart Laugh at the madness of it all. Because one random morning soon enough, the snow will melt, the salt will wash away, and that first spring ride will feel like freedom all over again.

And when it does?

I’ll be ready.

Bike will be ready.

And winter can go sit in the corner.

–MarkyMark