Here we are, in the home stretch to spring, when Old Man Winter rears his head again. It seems we’ve been spared the massive snowstorm much of the East has suffered, but we still have lots of wet snow, chilly temperatures, and high winds. The weather forced us home from Philadelphia a day early (I was actually writing a post about my little foray into Center City to get a new wheel for the Steamroller, but that just isn’t happening), and I spent the day yesterday relaxing and hanging out with the boy. I did manage a quick spin up to Kraynick’s shop, however, to find some cheap bars and grips for the winter fixie. Gerry has actually cleaned up the shop a bit, as I could move around with my bag on (usually it’s a bull-in-the-china-shop situation which precariously piled boxes of parts everywhere). I did find a nice set of low-rise mountain bike bars for a mere $10, though I was very tempted to get the old school moustache bars he had (I didn’t fit the fit work well on the bike though, since it’s considerably shorter than the Steamroller).

Anyway…

I was really expecting the worst this morning when I woke up — inches of snow on the roads, high winds, blowing snow — but I soon heard the sound of tires on wet pavement and knew that it couldn’t really be that bad. And it wasn’t. The wind was blowing hard into my face once I got into the Strip District, and once or twice threatened to pull the front wheel away from me, but it was gusty, not constant. Very bearable, all things considered.

During the ride was thinking about why I do this. Since I hurt my back a few months ago (maybe more?), I think I’ve missed exactly one day of riding, and I didn’t even make it to work that day (loads of snow before I had the beater). I don’t really consider my obsessed, since I can spend a few days off the bike and not feel antsy or depressed. So what is it? Part of it, ironically, a bit of laziness. My only other option for getting to work would be the bus, and taking the bus means living according the bus schedule. I had trouble doing this before Seb was born, so with his variable thrown into the mix, making it the bus stop on time on any given morning is unlikely. So, the bike allows me to leave when I want to leave. The ride also allows me to exercise as I go to work — the perfect two for one. And, I can justify a huge dinner and beer every night.

But laziness doesn’t seem like a bulletproof reason to ride your bike everyday, rain or shine. What about stinginess? The cost to build up my Steamroller was less than a bus pass for a full year, and probably hundreds of dollars less than expensive than the costs of driving (gasoline, parking, etc). And since we don’t own a second car, we save on insurance and maintenance costs.

Still, laziness and stinginess aren’t the best reasons to subject yourself to the elements everyday. There are few days when I truly dread getting on the bike (typically due to rain or high winds). I truly enjoy being on my bike. I’ve been doing more errands on the weekends on the bike (usually when Seb is asleep), and I’m sure once Spring comes, I’ll be heading to the gym on my bike regularly as well, if I actually go to the gym). Part of this is no doubt feeling like a contrarian, riding along congested roads in terrible weather, looking at the poor folks stuck in their warm cozy cars. There’s also the satisfaction that comes from not being a slave to the weather, and just getting out there and doing it, regardless of conditions.

And now, looking out the office window, barely being able to see the opposite river bank thanks to snow, I realize I’ll be putting all this into practice very soon…

Posted on 1 March 2005