Riding in a Winter Wonderland!

It looks like we're in for some real winter weather over the next few days.........just the ticket for an ICE BIKER! I decided to trade the road bike for the trusty old hybrid this morning.......it has wider tires with a bit more tread and, most important, I don't clip in......that way, if I hit a patch of ice, I have a chance to get a foot down in time.

Temp when I left home was 22 degrees.....with windchill it was closer to 10.........and the wind was right in my face the whole way. You'll think I'm nuts when I tell you that it was a very pleasant ride.....thanks to Beth and the kids, I have the right clothes that keep me just as warm as my friends are in their "boxes".

There was about an inch of snow on the bike path, but I didn't have any problem with traction......and I could see from the tire tracks that there were at least a dozen other intrepid riders who were braving the weather to ride to work today. I overtook another rider near the University......."Ah, another nut out today, eh?" I called to him, "Where're you headed?" "Battelle," he replied, "I'm a project manager there." We had a nice conversation that went like this:

Me: "Where do you commute from?"    Brian: "Near Antrim Lake."

Me: "How long have you been riding?"  Brian: "Three years."

Me: "Notice any difference?"                Brian: "Which one?"

Me: "Ha, how about your health."         Brian: "The first year I rode, I lost 17 pounds. The second year I got busy at work and couldn't ride and put all the weight back on. I started riding again right before the holidays and the weight's starting to come off again."

Me: "How many days do you ride per week?"  Brian: "I average 2-3 days per week."

Brian: "Here's where I head off."            Me: "Nice to meet you.....hope to see you again."

I had another surprise on my ride in today.......when I reached the Confluence Restaurant and looked down at the river I saw 3 pairs of hooded mergansers...........I had seen one pair in the same location last winter, but had not seen them since. They are beautiful birds.....I will try to find a photo to post for you.

When I rode through the downtown, I observed all the pedestrians huddled against the cold wind. I was warm as toast and felt great. Am I crazy for thinking that the start of my day is awesome when I can twowheel to work?

      

Comments

[Bryan]

Thanks for mentioning your website this morning, Doug. I finally found it and will have to add it to my favorites--especially since you seem to meet such interesting people!

[ScottNorthSide]

I like the peace and serenity that goes with riding in the snow. The neighborhood seems quieter with a lack of people outside. And I get a big kick when people look at me with that incredulous look when they see me riding a bike in 20 degree weather.

[ThriftyDi]

Hello,
That was me smiling at you yesterday at lane & High :-) in my big FAT SUV.... I felt guilty driving after I saw you. Also fatter... hmm, oh well.
I need a green jacket like your's...... I sure couldn't miss you. Also, I rode all summer, through December.... and now I am using up my 1 month of prepaid parking (the deposit they kept when I quit parking last year to ride my bike), so I will be back to biking February 1st! I wear carharts, ski mask, ski goggles and ski gloves - although my fingers still get cold! You were working quite hard on that bike yesterday - now you know what I feel like EVERYDAY. Working hard on my mountain bike with big tires all year long..
:-)
Namaste
Diane

[Columbusite]

Or you could have bought winter tires with metal studs. This winter they haven't been of as much use as I would have thought, but they'll last and they look cool. Not bad for $100.