Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Peer Pressure


Because all the cool kids ride their bikes in the snow, I needed to try it myself. There have been a prolific number of bicycle-related blog posts, since about October, showing all you tough guys out in the elements. You describe the horrific conditions you endure like some kind of badge of honor. You show close-ups of your studded tires and ice hanging off your drive train. I comment on your blogs and express how impressed I am, and how I respect your machismo. And I tell all my non-cycling friends what kind of pathetic freaks you are.


So it snowed a little down here on Sunday. The temperature hasn't been above freezing since. I know what you are thinking. Why did it take me so long to get this post up? We'll actually, today was the first day to get out on the bicycle. I'm sorry. I was busy. I had a lot of laying around by a warm fire, under a blanket, with a book kind-of things to do.



But the wind died down this afternoon, so I figured I'd go out and see what the big fuss was about. But it was just cold. Which is what I figured. But now I've got pictures of my bike posed in the snow just like the cool kids. Well, except that the snow is only about two inches deep. And I guess the temperature was still a positive, two digit number. But there WAS snow for crying out loud, and I could see my breath out there. So I think it was borderline epic.

Oh yeah, one more thing. The forecast is for a low of about 14F tonight. I'd really like to get out tomorrow morning and commute the twenty miles to my office. Too bad I've got to drive to Houston tomorrow...cuz you know...I'd SO be out there.

10 comments:

  1. Dang, that's a lot of snow! We didn't get no accumulation in my neck of the woods!

    Photos look great, as usual!

    Peace :)

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  2. This is probably my favorite post of yours. We only have a little more snow than that, and my recent riding has been limited to getting around, but hey, welcome to the club. :)

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  3. Good one Chris! You are doing just fine. Believe me, it takes a real "stupidity" to get out in the cold, snowy winter. For us in Vermont, its only going to get colder and snowier from here.

    I appreciate your efforts!

    Wil

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  4. Where are the close-ups of the runny nose, frozen fingers and suffering ;-)
    I grew up in Tennessee and have reltives in the Hico, Texas area. When I was growing up I would see those National Geographic pictures of the guys in the Arctic wearing T-shirts every time it topped 20 degrees & I couldn't believe it. Amazingly though the body does adapt.
    I can guarantee you that if we came to Texas in the summer we Northern bikers would be passed out on the side of the road with heat exhaustion! This summer on one ride it was almost 90 degrees and everyone was dying!

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  5. Very. Funny.

    And it's important to have your slippers on when by the fire. Don't forget.

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  6. For a Texan, that was EPIC! It's like me going out for a ride when it gets up into the 80's. I can't take that stuff. That's when I stay inside next to the air conditioner.

    Pathetic freaks?

    That's the nicest comment I've heard in a long time.

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  7. Very funny commentary. You know, when you strip down a snow ride, ignore the cold temperatures and gnarly weather conditions, it's still just a bike ride, like many others we have come to know and love. It's just a little different. Like Doug, I would suffer terribly in the heat you guys face down there.

    I'm glad you got out in the snow ... so, did you have fun?

    Your photos are gorgeous!

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  8. Thanks for all the encouragement, fellas. I'm glad the attempt at humor was not missed.

    I enjoyed my ride, and I believe I could get used to riding in colder conditions more often. The worst part is the time it takes to layer up to go outside.

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  9. I can tell you that, while I regularly ride in the snow, I only do so because the snow is there. I just need to get where I am going, and the snow happens despite that.

    As one of the pathetic freaks, I must acknowledge that I sort of envy the warm temps you have, allw inter.

    Of course, this summer, when the humidity here is only 15 or 20 percent, I will look at all of you Southern riders and think, "No way I'd ride in that like those...pathetic freaks!"

    Good post. Every region has its weather-related challenges. The important part is that we all share that love of riding which allows us to ignore the weather in order to get out on the bike.

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