I survived winter.
Not by much either. This was my second winter of bike commuting, and it was a long one. We had full or partial snow cover for about 4 months... with scatterings of snow and ice for another month. Riding on snow or ice with the right gear is a fun game here and there, but it just makes you tired and angry when you are faced with it every day for months on end.
I got back on my bike today for the first time in nearly two weeks - the longest bike commuting break that I can remember. Before I left for vacation (followed by a conference), there was snow and ice on the path and I still had to wear my winter shell. Today, I wore a pair of jeans, a t-shirt, and a spring jacket - along with a hat and gloves. That seemingly insignificant difference made my ride so much more enjoyable.
So I think I am going to use part of George Bush's gift to buy a new commuter bike. I'm going to test drive two bikes in particular in the next few weeks - and I'll try to write a post about them. The one I'm really excited about is the Breezer Uptown 8 (Joe Breeze design). I also like the Bianchi Milano Cafe Racer. I hope to be riding one of them to work by the time summer rolls around.
Happy Spring!
About Me
- Suburban Vermonter
- Married. Two kids. Live and work on the outskirts of Vermont's largest city, Burlington. In April 2006, I started commuting to work by bike. In July 2006, my wife and I made the decision to sell our second car and try life as a one-car family. I now bike to work most days (12 hilly miles round-trip) and leave the car home for my wife and kids. I thought it would be a big sacrifice, but it hasn't been a big deal at all. We're saving a bunch of money, I lost 30 pounds, and I feel great.
12 comments:
I just stumbled upon your blog completely by accident. Wow! I have a similar commute to work; I ride from Joy Drive in South Burlington to Harvest Lane in Williston. I just started riding to work last week though---your winter commute is impressive! I'm a big baby about riding on snow and ice.
Hi Laura! What route do you take from Joy Drive? I used to go to the gym near there, and then up the bike path along 189. I took a right on Spear, and then a left through those new condos - connecting over to Dorset. Then down to Kennedy Drive and up Kimball/Marshall Avenue. Is this your first season of riding, or do you do the warm-weather commute each year?
I go right up Swift Street (ugh) to Dorset. I hang a left on Dorset to Kennedy and take Kennedy to Kimball/Marshall over to Harvest Lane. I'll have to check out the routes through the condos on the ride home. The ride in the morning (around 5:30 am) is little or no traffic, but a route through condos/neighborhoods on the way home (around 5:30 pm) would be good. I ride recreationally a LOT in the warmer months and I try to ride to work in the summer from time to time too. This is my first year of colder weather commutes though. In the summer I take my road bike to work and do a longer ride (out Spear to Barstow and Cheesefactory and onto Hineburg Road to South Brownell) to and from work. For these cool weather rides, I'll stick to the short route! :)
If you want to give it a try, try jumping on the bike path that is right behind Joy Drive - and ride it up to Spear. Take a right on Spear and go under 189. Take your first left on Songbird Drive (the new condos). This road/bike path connects over to Dorset. I bet it will cut about a mile off your commute via Swift - and it's probably a safer ride. Ride safe!
Excellent! I'll try that for the ride to work tomorrow morning.
Thanks for the route tip! I went up the bike path and through those new condos over to Dorset on my ride this morning. It did cut a bit off the mileage, but the *best* part of it was not having to suffer up Swift Street this morning! I'm loving this great weather we've (finally) got. Happy riding!
Great! That road just opened up on the Spear Street side last summer/fall - so it's a pretty new route. It is the only connector from Spear to Dorset between Williston Road and Swift Street!
Hi - I live in Charlotte near Shelburne Orchards and I tried riding my bike to College Street in Burlington (10 miles). It took me an hour and a half. I made it back home in the pouring rain. My kids didn't believe me. I cannot believe I did it either since I am really out of shape and over 40. Am I crazy or should I try to do this? I am really anxious to return to being in shape.
Andrea - sounds like you are crazy in a good way! I think you should keep it up if it is giving you a sense of accomplishment. That being said, 10 miles each way is a long daily commute. Did it take you an hour and a half each way? If so, you will notice that it takes less and less time to make that trip. If you haven't yet - I recommend talking to your local bike shop to make sure you have the right bike and that it is in good shape for your ride. You can ride any old beater for a 2-mile in-town commute, but you have to be more selective with a 10-mile ride. If you do that ride regularly, you will definitely get in shape. Keep surprising your kids!
Hi again - thanks so much for the information and encouragement. I rode again today - and yes, the sense of accomplishment is keeping me coming back to this. I haven't felt like I have accomplished this much physically since I've been a mom. So, I'll go to the bike shop too. I've been riding my son's bike as it is brand new and mine is an old Trek. Thanks and enjoyed reading your posts!
Nice blog! I've been commuting from williston to hinesburg all summer 4 days a week about 21 miles round trip. It's always good to see others out there making a commitment to commuting!
That's great Seth - are you going to continue through the fall/winter? With some good lights/reflectors and some foul weather gear - you can easily ride until the snow/ice sticks to the road.
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