When investing in outdoor adventures, one must consider carefully how committed one is to such activities. A few years ago, I ambitiously stocked up on camping and survival gear, preparing for either the apocalypse or a grand adventure in the north with my family (or maybe both). My plan was to hike and canoe into the great, untamed wilderness north of La Ronge – without washrooms, potable water, and any contact with the outside world. It would be as close to paradise as one could ever imagine... Just us alone in the woods with the mosquitoes, black flies and the bears...
It’s good to dream.
To be fair, we’ve camped a little – at designated campsites with washrooms, drinkable water and hot showers. But hey, in case of the apocalypse, we have our own water filtration system.
I feared the same would happen with my plans for winter biking. Before the snow even arrived in November, I decided to take the plunge – to be one of those daredevils who rides on snow and ice. So I invested.... In studded tires, a winter helmet, ski goggles, bike lights, thick gloves, heated gloves (for when the thick gloves fail), wool socks, and... heated socks? So far I’ve held off on those.
Then came the snowstorm. Do people actually bike in these conditions? I worried for a week about my winter biking prospects. Then came the second snowstorm. I worried some more.
It wasn’t looking good, but all that snow finally packed down and I ventured out. I’m still alive. Two months in, I have yet to have a major spill or freeze my face off. I’ve biked in minus 30 without significant frostbite. I’ve also learned there’s a fine line between freezing and getting to work drenched in sweat. This can make for a long day for my co-workers. Layers are important, but not too many.
Most of all, I was surprised how well those studded tires grip the road. Packed snow and ice are no match for fortified winter tires that cost me (gulp) $130 each. It’s when the streets turn to mush that winter biking becomes a little more treacherous. Warm weather is now my enemy. Not only does it put me at risk of wiping out, but also overheating – time to shed another layer!
Despite the risk of injury, which I believe is minimal (hey, only one concussion in the last twenty years!), biking to work has had many benefits. It forces me to exercise and reduces my risk of road rage. Don't laugh, but my drive to work is a mere eight minutes; twelve in heavy traffic. Yet strangely, even Regina traffic gets on my nerves. Why are there so many cars in this city?? My bike ride in winter is about 25 minutes, but at least I’m constantly moving.
Now I know what you’re thinking: You winter bikers aren’t helping things, clogging up the roads with your piddly winter pedaling! Trust me, I feel the same way when driving behind a biker going 10 km/h on a busy road. I stay off the main roads and, unlike in Toronto, we still have our designated bike lanes (if you can imagine them beneath the snow). We even have designated bike routes and paths that are cleared somewhat regularly by the city.
As winter bikers, we’re not asking for any special treatment. We’re just asking for you to pull over a little when you pass us, so there’s no risk of us scratching your vehicle with our handlebars. And, to my dear City of Regina: Could you clear those bike pathways all the way, not just part of the way, so I don’t have to trudge through snowdrifts and, most importantly, can shave another two minutes off my ride?
As you might have guessed, I’ve made my concerns known. As someone who’s so heavily invested, would you expect anything less?
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