What does all of this have to do with "Winter Bike Commuting" you may be asking right now?
First a picture!
I guarantee that you do not get to see this if you are driving down an interstate at 60-70 mph because if you did you would cause a chain reaction accident after you slammed on your brakes, jumped out of your car, and just stared at the glory that this picture reveals!
Once again what does that have to do with Winter Bike Commuting? Well to me winter bike commuting is about the views that you get and the lack of stress that you have because you are not sitting in traffic because it snowed 1" last night and people don't know how to drive when it snows - even though we live in Buffalo, NY where we are on pace for an easy 100" of snow this year. Some local ski areas already have 192" of snow and that seems about right for my neck of the woods!
If you drive to work you also miss sights like this in the late night or early morning. I will be honest I don't ride to work every day because this time of the year it just requires a lot more energy with the cold, wind, clothing, and work schedule requirements. We are working 50 hour weeks because it is tax season so I show up at the office at 7 or 7:30 and leave at 5:30 so that makes for a 14 hour day just with work and commuting. If I drive it cuts it down to 11 and sometimes I need to be home earlier than other times - like today when we have basketball practice at 6:00pm.
The sun shines periodically in the winter time around Buffalo as well. I love riding my bike when the sun is out because I will just lift my face towards the warming rays and soak them all in. It is so relaxing and rejuvenating at the same time!
I know I posted this yesterday and I made it my desktop picture as well because it is all about the hope at the end of the day. Yes I took this when I drove to work but I have a 10 minute walk to my car because it is free and I am cheap, so I saw the sun doing it's thing and knew I had to snap some photos.
Some new ones might be on tap tonight because I get to have an adjustment at the Chiropractor's office this afternoon and need to leave work early. Then it is basketball practice, meeting time, and then basketball playing time so no bike time today. Tomorrow I hope to ride to work again though.
I gain so much out of it - why don't you give it a try. Drop a question about clothing or bikes that can handle the winter crud and I will get back to you. Have a great day and go ride your bike!
Wow, these are amazing pictures! Almost makes me want to come out to NY and ride down that beautiful, wide, snowy street. This really shows what's so great about winter bike commuting.
ReplyDeleteAlso - you have a Pugsly! Jealous. :)