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| Photo credit: Burlington, VT waterfront trail winter plowing policy. |
As I continued on I realized how I would never feel safe riding when lanes are narrow, when paths are unplowed, when I would be subjected to riding with traffic, literally, in the lane with an automobile in front and behind, to justify riding through out the colder months, during frequent and regular snowfall.
I admire those hearty folks who can ride in all conditions, unafraid, with studded tires, on fat bikes, in heavy traffic, squeezing by cars on congested highways. It takes a special kind of gutsy determination to claim their space, however minimal, on narrow, New England roads.
As much as I would like to embrace this lifestyle, if only to support the growing winter riding culture, I realize this is beyond my comfort zone. I'm fine with occasional rides on dry pavement side roads, paths, or sidewalks - if I can link a route to work - otherwise, I'll leave the snowy roads to heartier riders.
More power to you!
Beyond mine, too. The icy roads, icy shoulders when there are shoulders and generally miserable conditions are too much for me.
ReplyDeleteWe don't get nearly the snow and ice in S.W. Missouri but, once we get some, the roads get salted and I leave my bikes in the garage. I just don't want to subject them to the corrosive effects of salt and don't have the time to wash the bike, out in the cold, at the end of each day. If the temps are above freezing, sometimes I'll go ride on the local mountain bike trails; but my commute to work is four wheeled until rains wash the roads.
ReplyDeleteI have a bike that I don't mind subjecting to salted roads, however at one point I felt exactly the way you feel - put the bike away for the winter!
DeleteThis is likely timely for many of us. I've been noting that our city (which claims to clear certain roads of snow both for automobiles and bicycle lanes), is not doing so at all (and hasn't). I notice every winter that the snow gets cleared for the cars/trucks, but they push it all into the bike lanes. Even the supposed "snow routes" that are supposed to be cleared for everyone don't get cleared, and unfortunately, when they are east-west traveling roads, the south side bike lanes never seem to clear of ice. It's very frustrating! When the snow turns to ice, that's when I'm uncomfortable riding. I figure, if I can't walk without slipping, there's no way I'm going to be able to ride without falling. The cold -- that I can deal with to a greater extent with layers, but I'm not interested in falling off my bike into fast moving traffic.
ReplyDeleteHang in there! I know we are fortunate here that despite a great deal of snow (at least typically), we tend to have a lot of sunny days that help melt the piles away.
I'm learning patience and being safe. Every winter is unique and some have lots of precipitation. And now that side roads are passable, temps are hovering near zero for another week. Sidewalk clearing has improved over the past couple years so there's at least hope for walkers.
DeleteGood for you! Knowing your own limits and being content to live within them is such a liberating thing. At the co-op, I teach a class called “How to Ride in the Streets” for beginners to transportation cycling. One of the things I always try to communicate is that a road or neighborhood is only safe if it feels safe to you. Don’t get bullied into riding where and when you don’t feel comfortable!
ReplyDeleteAs I age I'm definitely risk averse and due to injuries sustained while walking and slipping in the past 10 years, an even greater fear is riding and falling! Yoga is keeping me sane while our temps are hovering near zero.
DeleteI'm one of the lucky ones living on the coast which means we get much less snow than inland places. That allows for much more winter riding than most.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't sound like a safe or enjoyable commute at all. Don't blame you one bit.
ReplyDeleteAs the bard said discretion is the better part of valor. In Seattle I found that in wet conditions from 40 degrees and under those wide white crosswalk stripes are treacherously slick. Stay safe and Happy 2018
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