What's the problem with riding in snow, Irish? I used to have to do that to get to work a few years ago, when my bike was the ONLY form of transport I had! Public transport (i.e. buses) didn't start running til 7 in the morning, and I had to be at work by then!! Not saying it was pleasant mind you; it most definitely was NOT, but possible all the same! I remember one night coming over "The Mountain", on the Isle of Man, in a blizzard... cranked my visor open about a ½ inch (cos the snow was blowing every which way!) and trickled over all the way in 1st gear!!
In the summer, I could "do" the 15 miles Ramsey-Douglas in a shade over 7 minutes..... that night took over an hour! And yeh, I couldn't bend my fingers either, when I stopped.... my mate had to take my helmet & gloves off for me!!!
Another thing (of the many!) I don't like about todays bikers is... years ago, if you saw another biker you would acknowledge each other, either by a wave, flash of headlight, whatever - and it didn't matter if it was a Harley, scooter, moped..... EVERYONE was considered part of the "2-wheeler" brotherhood...; now, though, it seems folks just acknowledge their own "branch" of biking.... I mean, most sports-bike riders won't even admit that a scooter/Harley/ trike rider is a biker too! I find that very sad...
Aahh..... those were the days!!
DM