I have been commuting by bicycle for most of the last 30 years.
This is the season that I get the most comments from people, who
sometimes wonder how I manage to ride in the winter weather. I am
delighted to see more bicyclists on the streets of Baltimore this
winter, which means that there are more people who are committed urban
bicycling. I ride a folding, ultra-lite, and I have posted
several new photos, including a picture of my bicycle.
I don't own a car, and I work regular hours. It is about a 20-30
minute commute on my bicycle, and hilly, so that I get adequate
exercise. I have daily incentive to do so, and wonder if I would
get any exercise at all without this regimen.
Winter riding is only a little harder than other seasons. If
there is snow, one must be mindful of the piles of snow, which commonly
narrow the road, and make passage more difficult in traffic.
Different types of snow present different problems, and possibilities
are about endless, but you get the hang of it in time. Keeping an
eye out for the occasional patch of ice is the main precaution.
There is no quicker way to fall down on the pavement than to try and
ride a bicycle on icy pavement. It feels very hard that way, especially in
winter.
I started this regimen when I was 16 years old, because my girlfriend,
Mary, lived about 5 miles away, and I did not own a car at the
time. My parents demanded a strict curfew, and I always found
myself racing home in order to beat the clock at the last minute.
Later, I served a mission for the LDS church. Perhaps you have
seen the young men in suits, riding bicycles in pairs. Maybe that
was me. After my mission, I was committed to bicycle riding for
health reasons, but also for the sake of the environment, and to save
money. I live a far more comfortable lifestyle because I do not
own a car, with its many expenses. I buy no gasoline, which makes
good sense to me. Trust me, I am a lifer.
With all of my bicycling experience, I can manage the additional winter
precautions very well. I have nice warm riding gloves, which
addresses the main problem really, cold hands.
Urban riding in general presents additional challenges, such as broken
glass, parallel storm drain gratings, railroad tracks, pot holes and
other obstacles, and how to manage a small load of groceries or
shopping items on the bicycle. Winter is just a little more to
think about. It is good for the mind to think while under the
stress of exercise, and these challenges give one plenty to think
about, to say nothing about inconsiderate drivers. I am expecting
research to show higher intelligence scores among life-long
bicyclists. There are already hints in this direction.
Think about it; no contribution to pollution, free and easy parking
near the entrance, no tedious trips to the gas station or repair shop,
with those expenses, and no car insurance. You also have the
satisfaction of knowing that you are not contributing to problems of US
foreign policy or to the green house effect. If that were not
all, you are contributing immensely to your overall health and well
being, and you will be admired by many as well for all of these reasons
and more, perhaps your great legs. Sell your car. Ride a
bicycle. Do it now.
Regards,
proclus
http://www.gnu-darwin.org/
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Michael L. Love: winter bicycling
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