I started riding again about 18 months ago. I ride year round. The late fall to late spring are utilitarian miles.

Today I was on the phone with a fair weather biking friend of mine and he mentioned that as he traveled, by car, around our small city of 15K today in 30F weather, he saw at least 10 cyclist out there. He noted that he would expect to see riders in Madison or the Minnesota Twin cities, but not in our small northern Wisconsin town.

My point is that as more of us ride, and ride all year long it begins to give permission to others to ride. Then, it becomes cool. (No pun intended.)

I also took a decade or three off of riding and am so glad to have rediscovered this thing.