I think about you guys up north all the time.  There are so many factors working against you when riding season finally comes back around after months of being snowed in.  I think the main two are 1)  Drivers are not looking for motorcycles yet.  There haven't been any around for months.  2)  Riding skills and reactions are not back up to speed after the long layoff. 

I don't take for granted the fact that I can ride over 300 days a year.  I'll ride in anything except ice.  I purposely ride to work in rain, heavy winds, extreme heat and cold.  I don't want to wait until I'm out on a big trip to encounter extreme conditions for the first time.  I'm constantly updating my gear.  My birthday request in May will be Draggin Jeans with the SaS-Tec knee and hip armor ($160).  It blows my non-rider friends away to find out that when I get decked out to go ride, I'm wearing over $1,000 worth of gear.

Those pics of your helmet and visor are priceless.  Just imagine if.......(shudder).