THE JUXTAPOSITION OF A GUY in a red buffalo plaid stocking cap riding a motorcycle in Minnesota in mid-February struck me as photo-worthy. It’s not often bikers are out and about in winter. But it’s not often either that temps soar into the low fifties as they did here in southeastern Minnesota over the weekend and into Monday.
Randy and I were heading out of town when we happened upon the biker on the east side of Faribault on Sunday afternoon. I grabbed my camera, focused and shot through the passenger side of the windshield. One chance. One shot before the biker took off on Minnesota State Highway 60 toward the viaduct over the Straight River.
With the weather as warm as it was, people were outside in full force. Walking in groups. Riding scooters and bicycles. Walking the dog solo. Hanging laundry outside, me anyway. Washing their vehicles, although we never headed to the car wash.
When the sun shines and temps soar, we Minnesotans realize what a gift this is in the middle of winter. With dropping temps, rain and snow in the forecast for later this week, we understand that a day or three of extraordinary warmth and sunshine are to be savored, enjoyed, appreciated. We know that we still have a whole lot of winter ahead of us and that the weekend’s unseasonably warm temps are not real spring, only a tease.
© Copyright 2026 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I remember those early previews of spring. Those first days when we as young kids could swap our heavy winter boots for tennis shoes for a few days and run around, especially on the paved areas of the Norseland Church parking lot. The burden of winter temporarily lifted, we felt like we were very close to taking flight. I bet your motorcycle rider felt may have felt something like that.
I’ve seen multiple motorcycle riders out these past few days. Yes, we all feel a bit giddy in this winter respite. Thanks for sharing your childhood memories.
I saw several people on their motorcycles these past few days. At first I was shocked, it’s February! And then I was jealous. But I plan to wait a bit longer before getting on my motorcycle. 🏍️😎
Yeah, maybe keep yours in storage for a while yet. More snow coming…
Hey, bikers like buffalo plaid too. ha ha It was a beautiful weekend and start to the week. Unfortunately it sounds like fools spring is over and more snow is expected later in the week. I even saw something about a thunderstorm before the snow.
The weather certainly shifted this afternoon to blustery, cold and grey.
I think I saw this picture somewhere else…mentioned the Buffalo Plaid hat too. It’ll be hard to go back to the winter cold and ice and snow…
Huh, I’d like to know where you saw my photo of this biker in the buffalo plaid hat.
I looked
Thanks
I so get this, itt’s kind of weather tease. we get sandals on (me) shorts, (others) take off coats, and get so excited. then –
Today it’s back to winter. Snow is falling as I type with about 1.5 inches thus far.
oh, no )
Yup, about four inches here. And, way up near the Canadian border, a single snowfall record may have been broken with 38 inches. This needs to be confirmed and verified to become official.