Think it's time to hang up the helmet? Polar Bears say "no" to hibernation

It's 49 degrees in New York as these words are written. Fall colors are sweeping south at an alarming rate. For those of us in the northern half of the country, the riding season is behind us, right?

Not for the Polar Bears.

While most of the AMA Grand Tours are wrapping up about this time of year, the Polar Bear Grand Tour is just beginning.

The Polar Bears are 400 to 500 riders in the New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware region who take part in the winter runs. Each Sunday, the hardiest of them gather at a designated spot — usually one that offers hot food, understandably.

Participants get points for the number of events they attend and for the miles ridden to arrive at the event. There are bonus points for participating in the annual Crotona Midnight Run, another traditional Northeast event that happens in the dead of winter, and for riding to Daytona Bike Week.

And because Polar Bears are big-hearted, riders even earn bonus points for volunteering to donate blood.

Except for interruptions due to holidays, rides are scheduled every week from October 30 to April 29. Of course, sometimes weather cancels an event. But you're allowed to drive your car to a Polar Bear event up to three times per winter and still pick up a few points.

You can find the rules and more information at the Polar Bear Grand Tour website. And even in the dead of winter, you can find a few fellow motorcyclists to chow down with at the Polar Bear runs.