Winter Bike Commuting

I’ve been biking for years, first on a mountain bike and then on a road bike. When I first started about 10 years ago – I bought a cheap mountain bike – a Murray. It’s a tank, heavy steel, big fat knobby tires, cheap gears, but at the time it was fine; I loved riding through the woods and even on the road.

I finally bought a road bike when I was planning a 100 mile ride on the eastern shore of Maryland – the Seagull ride. That ride did it I got hooked on biking particularly road biking, even if I did crash at the 60 mile point and ended up in riding to the hospital in an ambulance. I was lucky I looked a lot worst than I was; the thing that I remember most vividly was how painful it was being strapped to a board for the ambulance ride. Every bump seemed like a ditch the size of a bus.

But enough of that, one of my 2011 New Year resolution was to ride to work on my bike no matter the weather. I geared up for foul weather and even got the old mountain bike in shape for the worst days. I was fairly certain I would only have to deal with cold and rain, and a little snow. Washington’s winters are generally mild; or rather they were until last year.

As usual I was wrong, the weather has been offal, but I had a resolution to fulfill – I couldn’t bale on it after less than one month. I road home in a white out the night before last – I made it all the way without getting off my bike. When I left the office there was less than 1 inch of snow on ground and the roads were wet and a little icy but not too bad; by the time I got home an additional inch and a half had fallen.

I was thrilled that I made it – it was fun, challenging, and exhausting. I’m going to keep it up – although maybe work on finding a better used mountain bike but nevertheless push on. At the same time I guess I should issue a stupidity alarm. I am tempted to say that this verges on the stupid. Granted I was prepared for the weather, I was light up like a Christmas tree – complete with flashing light, my bike was equipped with big knobby tires, and warm cloths, but you can’t control the drivers – they present the real danger. My neighborhood has more than its share of enormous pick-ups and drivers with excess macho. Don’t get me wrong so far they have been much more patient and considerate of me of the road than they are in good weather – they probably think I’m touched.

However, Washington is what it is, a transient population with a high percentage of people not accustom to foul weather driving – the unpredictability of my companions on the road and their uncertain ability to control their massive hunks of steel (more plastic these day, but you get my point) is my one fear.

Well, I will have to admit to another concern – going down hill on a snow covered road – not as much fun as when it is dry.

Despite my misgiving about the intelligence of my resolution I will continue biking to work, but for those of you that would like to join me on the road I will offer a few words of caution. Be careful, use flashing lights, keep your glasses clean, assume that the gas drivers are a hair’s breath away from being out of control, and don’t be reluctant to dismount and walk when it the weather outpaces your skills on the bike. Hell, it’s a ball riding, even in foul weather; but it is no fun being in the emergency room.

Top Photo: Decked out in my bad weather biking gear - if this doesn't embarrass my sons I give up!

Middle & Bottom Photos: Snow Storm as seen from my front porch upon arrival at home from my bike commute.