This morning when I woke up it was 2 degrees Celcius. By the time I was ready to leave for work it had risen to 2.2.

I put on all the thermal gear I had - icebreaker glove liners inside thinsulate gloves, leggings under the draggin jeans, long sleeved tshirt under my shirt under my leather jacket, black wool scarf, leather face mask and helmet.

By the time I'd reached the road along the beach (about 2km) my fingers were freezing and my nose was aching. I was lucky enough to get only green lights all the way into the city (about 35km) so no chance to warm my hands on the engine. By the time I got to work I felt like an icicle - the wind chill on 2C at 60km/h is -6C apparently.

It took me a good half hour to warm up again once in the office and once I had coffee.

But, the noise my engine made in the crisp morning air was like music to my ears. I wouldn't pass it up for anything.