Why would you bike commute in the winter?
01-31-14, 06:07 AM
#26
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1) It is faster than walking.
2) I don't have to drive if I ride my bike.
3) It makes me feel less compliant, and in turn, less complacent.
2) I don't have to drive if I ride my bike.
3) It makes me feel less compliant, and in turn, less complacent.
01-31-14, 04:00 PM
#28
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More convenient than driving.
Shoveling the driveway can wait until the weekend.
Why drive your car in corrosive salt brine?
No worries about getting stuck overnight.
All the neat stuff -- the moon shining on snow, wild animals, birds, ice formations.
Shoveling the driveway can wait until the weekend.
Why drive your car in corrosive salt brine?
No worries about getting stuck overnight.
All the neat stuff -- the moon shining on snow, wild animals, birds, ice formations.
01-31-14, 04:39 PM
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Because Misery = Comfort, #BeastMode don't care....
01-31-14, 05:37 PM
#30
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I bike commute when I can in winter because I love riding my bike and being outside. It makes me happy to be outside if I am dressed appropriately and not cold. I do not ride all winter because I do not feel safe all the time due hills that I have to ride in the am and dark and ice do not make a good mix with hills.
01-31-14, 06:36 PM
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Riding in the winter if my favorite time to commute. It sucks because the commute is longer due to the studded tires and extra weight of all the cold weather gear, but its ridiculously peaceful riding in the winter. The trails are completely empty. No runners. No walkers. No dogs. No people with headphones on that can't hear you screaming "On Your Left." With everything covered in snow, it's like biking through a post card scene after the zombie apocalypse.
02-02-14, 12:40 AM
#32
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I bike commute in winter because I've got to do *something* halfway impressive and/or bad-ass to salve my ego and keep myself going when the demons pipe up about failure. Hey, demons, I rode my bike in a freaking snowstorm today, go away, I'm tougher than you! Seems to work so far.
Why I ride in the winter: The real truth.
Back in 2004 or so I was a periodic bike commuter but mostly took the bus. That year the new light rail line opened and all the bus routes were going to change. Though I was all for the introduction of light rail service, the downside for me is that there would no longer be a bus that took me directly downtown, it would take me to the train station instead.
So rather than wait for a bus, ride that to a station, and then wait for a train I decided just to ride my bike to the train station. This worked well and I enjoyed it. As the cold weather came that Fall I knew I'd have to figure out the new bus schedule but I kept putting it off.
Well, it's been almost 10 years and I still don't know which bus will take me to the station. In that time I figured out I could ride the entire distance by bike pretty easily and get there faster (at least for 3/4 of the year) than if I take the train.
So the reason I commute in the winter comes down to the fact that I was too lazy to look up a bus schedule.
Back in 2004 or so I was a periodic bike commuter but mostly took the bus. That year the new light rail line opened and all the bus routes were going to change. Though I was all for the introduction of light rail service, the downside for me is that there would no longer be a bus that took me directly downtown, it would take me to the train station instead.
So rather than wait for a bus, ride that to a station, and then wait for a train I decided just to ride my bike to the train station. This worked well and I enjoyed it. As the cold weather came that Fall I knew I'd have to figure out the new bus schedule but I kept putting it off.
Well, it's been almost 10 years and I still don't know which bus will take me to the station. In that time I figured out I could ride the entire distance by bike pretty easily and get there faster (at least for 3/4 of the year) than if I take the train.
So the reason I commute in the winter comes down to the fact that I was too lazy to look up a bus schedule.
Riding in the winter if my favorite time to commute. It sucks because the commute is longer due to the studded tires and extra weight of all the cold weather gear, but its ridiculously peaceful riding in the winter. The trails are completely empty. No runners. No walkers. No dogs. No people with headphones on that can't hear you screaming "On Your Left." With everything covered in snow, it's like biking through a post card scene after the zombie apocalypse.
+1; me too. I previously posted to this thread, “Does Commuting Make You “Happy”?
I'm currently in the process of applying to dietetic internships and Minneapolis is on my list. I would prefer acceptance into the Colorado internship, but I'm sure I'd be in for a winter treat if I wound up in Minnesota
Last edited by treal512; 02-02-14 at 12:44 AM.
02-02-14, 12:49 AM
#33
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
I don't even have to bike commute in the winter... I just ride in the winter because it is challenging and fun and keeps me off the roof.
02-02-14, 01:58 PM
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another reason I ride in winter is to keep that "spare tire" off my waist, and the only pounds I need to shed in spring is the extra layers of clothes
02-04-14, 06:26 AM
#36
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For me personally i will always take the bike when it snows in winter:
If i go by car im in a monster traffic jam and there is always the possibility to crash or damage the car, if i use public transport i will surely run into delays beacuse of bad weather. If i go by scooter i might fall because of the slippery road and damage the scooter and hurt myself
If i ride my bike i can walk parts of the route if i have to (too much snow), if i fall the bike wont get damaged much and is therefore IMHO the best and quickest way of getting around in the snow.
And since i dont own a car anymore the choice is obvious. I always ride on 2 wheels!
Besides all that: i just like riding my bike
If i go by car im in a monster traffic jam and there is always the possibility to crash or damage the car, if i use public transport i will surely run into delays beacuse of bad weather. If i go by scooter i might fall because of the slippery road and damage the scooter and hurt myself
If i ride my bike i can walk parts of the route if i have to (too much snow), if i fall the bike wont get damaged much and is therefore IMHO the best and quickest way of getting around in the snow.
And since i dont own a car anymore the choice is obvious. I always ride on 2 wheels!
Besides all that: i just like riding my bike
02-07-14, 10:04 PM
#37
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Thanks everyone for the great posts so far - exciting to read! I've been commuting through winter too and although part of me likes the constant "you rode today?" questions, part of me gets a little frustrated that people don't realize that it can really be adventurous, stress reducing, and all of the things you folks are mentioning.
A colleague saw me on the street one night recently while it was snowing and let me know he was very concerned for me. It seemed from his tone that he thought I was in some sort of serious disadvantage in life because I have to resort to riding. I am pretty sure I was unable to convince him that I was enjoying being out in the snow.
A colleague saw me on the street one night recently while it was snowing and let me know he was very concerned for me. It seemed from his tone that he thought I was in some sort of serious disadvantage in life because I have to resort to riding. I am pretty sure I was unable to convince him that I was enjoying being out in the snow.
02-11-14, 02:18 PM
#38
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re: "Why would you bike commute in the winter?" cuz it's amazing, the only thing that compares is the extreme opposite - gorgeous beautiful days are equally amazing
02-11-14, 03:30 PM
#39
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In the Pacific NW coastal areas, it's possible to ride every day of the year; the snow just doesn't fall that often or get that deep, like in the midwest. A fresh snowfall is usually the safest time to ride during that snowfall period, as it usually isn't deep, and the tires easily cut thru the soft snow. Days 2 and 3 get tricky, as the snow gets packed down and icy, or thaws and refreezes, making for treacherous icy spots that are hard enough to toss a front wheel around. This requires a bit more craziness to risk!
Commuting thru the snow has always had the element of elitism in it for me. Only the best, the most skillful, the toughest and hardest, can do this. Those who have to ask why just don't get it. They are the 99% of "normal" people, the fair-weather riders, the uncommitted. Not real cyclists. Sorry if you're in that 99% and offended; that's just the way I feel about it!
But then, at some point, you have to try to balance the "elitism" with the risk, especially as you get older. I'm looking forward to retirement, where I won't have to prove anything anymore, and where I can quit having the impromptu street races with young guys out to prove something! Yeah, it's competitive out there, and riding thru snow is part of the competition!
Luis
Commuting thru the snow has always had the element of elitism in it for me. Only the best, the most skillful, the toughest and hardest, can do this. Those who have to ask why just don't get it. They are the 99% of "normal" people, the fair-weather riders, the uncommitted. Not real cyclists. Sorry if you're in that 99% and offended; that's just the way I feel about it!
But then, at some point, you have to try to balance the "elitism" with the risk, especially as you get older. I'm looking forward to retirement, where I won't have to prove anything anymore, and where I can quit having the impromptu street races with young guys out to prove something! Yeah, it's competitive out there, and riding thru snow is part of the competition!
Luis
02-12-14, 03:23 PM
#40
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Because I have to get to work or they won't pay me.
02-12-14, 09:17 PM
#41
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02-14-14, 02:57 PM
#43
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if my commute to work wasn't 50 minutes to an hour long, I'd ride all year round
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