This was a cute little illustration from an article I recently read in Avenue magazine about winter biking. It had all sorts of tips on how to stay safe and warm. But, it doesn't change the fact that the roads are absolutely treacherous right now! They haven't put any sand down yet so it's just nice, thick ice underneath a thick layer of powder.
There is also no more shoulder on the side of the road. You either ride in 1 of the 2 tire treads that are packed down by cars... or on the sidewalk. The side of the row is piled high (at least here) with huge mounds of snow.
I saw these two guys biking the other night, however, and was so jealous. They looked so pro! Not stylish, but definitely pro. Most of the cute winter biking I've seen online is where it snows... but it pretty much melts when it hits the ground or else it's just a yucky slush that a bike can plow through. I dunno... in Edmonton the roads are thickly coated. And I see people riding about, but it's with huge heavy mountain bikes and tons of fleece layers.
Nobody is riding an adorable tandem with a mini top hat on top of a balaclava like the illustration:) Love the concept, though!
4 comments:
Haha... yes well those of us who ride all year round in Edmonton do have to sacrifice fashion somewhat in the winter.... I don't much care for frostbite, or my nice shoes and pants totally ruined by ice sludge.
A lot of us switch our gear and bicycles after it snows (saying mountain bikes are heavy is somewhat comical to me... every mtb I've owned weighs less than most of the kinds of bikes featured in bike fashion blogs/sites). We don't morph until the spring again, and then bicycle fashion rebounds in Edmonton.
Hi Sam,
I definitely think I have to switch bikes, if only to avoid the constant thud of the chain against chain guard on the Pashley. Or I can just get used to the sound - there was a fair bit of off-roading for me today. I suppose I just hate mountain bikes because I find them ugly. And, the one I have isn't properly sized for me, it was a hand me down. So every time I think about riding it, I think about how I can never easily hop off and touch the ground with the fear of hurting my girl crotch! My mountain bike IS heavy. Maybe not as heavy as Pashley. But way heavier than... the road bike:)
Heh, I think I've seen these two guys. At least there was a pair of cross-country mountain bikers riding up the hill next to Hawrelak Park together on a -30 day. Go them!
The thing I hate most about winter cycling is bootie covers. I hate wearing them. That is all.
Awww.. CUTE! Love the photo and your blog.
I just started this art project for walk+bike advocacy - ShoeOnMyBike (http://shoesonmybike.com/). Anyone can submit photos of shoes on their bike.
Please submit a photo! :)
Cheers,
Christa
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