Most of us can remember the day that we rode a bicycle for the first time. For some of us, it was a long, long, time ago, & for others, well, just the other day.
Many Canadian children started with the trainer's wheels at the back & it wasn't long before we asked our father to remove them. We were no longer insecure & afraid to lose our balance, we were little kids & ready for action! Our first solo ride on a bicycle & we were amazed that it went so smoothly. It seems to be second nature to a Canadian to ride a bicycle.
Cycling has become a national sport & favorite pastime for many Canadians & with the high cost of gasoline, bicycles are now being reborn again! In fact, Canadians no longer only cycle in the summer months. Many are continuing all through the winter months as is the case of this Author.
There are some things that are very important about cycling in Canadian winters & that is...STAY WARM & BE AWARE! Be aware that when the radio says -5 with a windchill factor of -10, that can easily be -30 or -40 when you are soaring down a hill at 30 or 40 miles per hour! Frostbite can be very painful so cover your skin as much as possible!
A winter jacket or coat & winter shoes, that expensive cycling gear can come in very handy in the winter months. Cycling shoes & lots of layers of clothing are what you need to be comfortable & safe while bicycling in cold weather.
If you are older, you may find that you tire a lot quicker in the cold than normal weather. Pace yourself & take frequent rests when you feel it is necessary. If you go on a long journey, bring a thermos with tea or coffee & enough to eat, because you will be expending a lot of energy. And careful with those black spots on the bike trails, that's ice! It's always a good plan to check your bicycle before leaving home. You wouldn't want to be stuck on some bicycle path because of some silly breakdown!
Winter rentals are available for bicycles in some areas so if you don't have a cycle, you have another option.
Cycling in Canadian winters can be a lot of fun, the freedom, the beautiful bicycle trails that we have, our incredible scenery in Canada, & of course, the wildlife, can all add up up to one incredible winter vacation!
So, to all my fellow Canadian Winter Cyclists, Happy & Safe Bicycling!
