The Joy of the Winter Ride

While most days Laura's winter commute is peaceful and easy, the first day of snow this year (December 1st) presented a challange for the smart commuter in Traverse City.

By: Laura Otwell 

 

As the first flakes of snow delicately drift down, it is time to put away my bike and pull out my "winter" bike. Bicycle commuting is a year round joy, not to be saved just for those mild sunny days.  It is a wonderful way to get around town. This said, there are a few challenges to winter riding, but all can be easily put to rest.

 

The route:

Traveling short distances is the key. I am able to ride year round mostly because I have chosen to live in a bike friendly town, with a good grid system. By design, I work and shop within a small area, a few square miles, where I am able to have most of my needs met. There isn't enough time to get cold hopping on my bike for less than a 15-minute ride across town. In fact, as my heart pumps blood to do the work of moving my body, I stay quite warm. This is much warmer than if I were to hop into a cold car for a five-minute trip in which there isn't enough time for the engine to warm-up and kick out any heat. Oh, and I didn't have to scrape the ice and snow off the windshield.

 

Although some winters we get a considerable amount of snowfall, the road crews do an amazing job of keeping the roads clear. In fact, most days in the winter the roads are bone dry, with just a slight dusting of salt. The sidewalks and bike trails are another matter entirely, but I'll save that discussion for another time. Choosing the best route takes a little practice. On days when there is fresh snow, biking is usually manageable if you take your time. It's easy to get off your bike and walk through an intersection that has thick loose snow and then hop back on. Sometimes it is better to take a more major arterial because it will probably just be wet. A route chosen in the morning may be great and coming home it may be a slushy mess. But there is usually an alternate route, like a quiet hidden alley with that perfect combination of hard pack white snow with just a bit of give.  It's to ride for! 

 

The bike:

Winter dirt and road salt can ruin a bike. That's why it is important to have a dependable commuter bike that you are not emotionally attached to. I saved an old English 3-speed, destined for the scrap heap. Gave it new tires, lubed the chain, put a basket and lights on it, and it serves my transportation needs well. The most critical piece of equipment on a winter commuter, or any commuter bike for that matter, is fenders. The wet dirt stripe down your back is easily avoided with fenders.

 

The clothes:

As I said earlier, with fenders to keep the spray down and blood flowing to working muscles, it's usually a warm ride. The most important quality of clothing is that it be wind proof. Leather mits, a wool hat, and a nylon jacket do the trick for me. On really cold days, it's time to pull out the long underwear or windpants.

 

I love to ride around town for many reasons. For example, it's simple, cheap and non-polluting exercise. Bicycling is a great way to be out in the environment using all our senses. The best reason for biking or walking, perhaps, is the ease and immediacy of interactions with the people and experiences that compose my community. I say good morning to the children in my neighborhood as they walk to school. I hear a swan and can look up and see it flying between the bay and Boardman Lake. I can see the frost glistening on the grassy ball fields as I cut through the Civic Center. These would all be missed traveling in my car, and for that reason I will stick to my bike, and revel in the joy of the winter ride.

 

 

Laura is the Program Coordinator for LIAA's Fresh Food Parternship Program, a mom, an engineer, and has been involved with Smart Commute week since its inception.