With the start of winter, the commute turns into more of a slog. Path, trail and road conditions worsen. There is packed snow and ice. Cities are using less salt and sand to mitigate against dangerously slippery roads.
The commute becomes survivalistic. One starts riding outside the box or breaking rules to get by.
We might stop wiping down the drivetrain to keep components from rusting. We’re worn down as its the end of the calendar year. There are very few riders out meaning isolation, loneliness and little support.
Swapping in winter tires takes up time and energy. Some tires require great strength to pull over the wheel’ s rim.
As I was riding home from a commitment on Friday afternoon, I was reminded of the mistaken city policy that currently allows for oversized vehicles to drive up and down the city’s utility paths and trails causing asphalt to be crushed into rubble.
Repairs are lengthy and expensive with corresponding closures and inconvenient detours. I think vehicles should be miniaturized and electric to correspond appropriately with the needs of this green microclimate.
Riding with emotions helps one cope with the winter ride of loneliness and isolation. Greeting riders we see along the way with a head bob, waving or saying an appropriate salutation, e.g., good morning or good afternoon raises spirits on both sides of the greeting.
Exercising with faster rhythms in music creates emotion to start one’s ride. Clapping one’s hands together several times very hard and riding intervals with sprints or higher safe speeds in winter also help improve ones thinking and hence one’s emotions.