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CANADIAN
EPICENTER
By Jeff Gruttz
HERE THERE BE SMALL WHEELS
RAIN, HAIL, SNOW, AVALANCHE: A PERFECT DAY FOR A RIDE.
Jeff Gruttz ([email protected],
member of Elbow Valley Cycle Club www.elbowvalleycc.org),
our Mover and Shaker in Canada
After several years of relatively mild winters we finally
have weather that approximates a 'real' winter: dark mornings,
-25 C with regular dustings of dry, light snow. Everything
moves more slowly: waking, donning extra layers of clothing,
adding the neoprene face mask, extra time for switching
the front wheel / tire from knobby to studs and cranking
the pedals with cold quads. As frigid and daunting as
a winter cycle commute may be it's choosing the safest
and most efficient route in poor weather conditions and
maintaining stability on less-than-optimal roads that
contributes most to a day's requisite adventure factor.
At day's end, should deteriorating weather stretch my
clothing's capabilities to keep me comfortable I have
found that my New
World Tourist with a homemade lightweight 'stealth'
travel bag gives me a broadened range of transportation
options. I can carry my bike on board light rail even
during non-bike permissive rush periods or our transit
buses anytime.
One reason often expressed for not cycling in winter is
to reserve this as an activity for when mild weather returns.
"Delaying", an activity for future gratification,
has never had credibility with me. Cycling through all
seasons enables one to look forward to new experiences
and opportunities everyday. The bicycle is simply the
vehicle to enable us to enjoy the out-of-doors rather
than it being an end in itself. |
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