Cycle Commuting (1)

The very nice benefit to living here in the “Ecotopia Triangle”-  (East coast of Vancouver island is one leg, City of Vancouver is the opposite point) -  I can cycle  360 days per year. This will probably annoy cyclists in Toronto, Winnepeg and Kelowna, but it is what it is! The key (as with most things in life) is preparation.

The first step is to know the weather.  I am much more intimately involved with and affected by the weather on a bike than I would be in a car. The weather will affect how I dress, and sometimes the route I take to work. Last night was very wet and windy, but this morning there are only a few scattered showers of a very light rain. The wind is gusty from the south east, which is to my advantage – the wind will be at my back most of the way. Bonus! The temperature is around 5 degrees.

Now that I know the weather, I can get prepared. I won’t need my water proof pants, so they get rolled up and put in a pouch on my saddle bags (I always have them with me – the weather can and often does change quickly!) I will need my water resistant pants – waterproof on the front, breathable in back. They are good for light rain. In a heavy rain, they soak through at the seams in about 20 minutes. Since they are form fitting and quite warm, I wear them   all winter. (Yes I have several pairs!) Next, a heavy long sleeve bike shirt – no need for waterproof, I have a waterproof jacket. Regular socks, waterproof socks over top. My bike shoes are designed like a running shoe with a firm sole and a metal cleat for my peddle clips. I cover them with waterproof covers. Theses see a lot of use in the winter, and are getting quite ratty. I will replace them this weekend – hello MEC! This morning, like most mornings,   I will be wearing my cycling “toque”, and  leave the waterproof cover on  my helmet. It is light enough now (7:15) that I don’t need my helmet light.   Gloves are an important consideration. With the temperature at 5 degrees, I am going to wear my water resistant heavy 5 finger gloves. If it were any colder, I would use a handwarmer packet.  If it were below about 3 degrees I would switch to the not-very- water resistant “lobster claw” gloves. Below freezing, I would wear heavy mittens, 5 fingers together, and a warmer pocket right down at the finger tips. Zip up the jacket, clip on the hemet, and we are ready to go!

I unfasten the combination lock on my bike shed. I need a hand light to see the numbers – it is not quite light enough yet in the shadow of the shed. The bike is still wet from last night – no surprise. I wheel it out, clip on the saddle bags, and turn on my flashing front and rear strobe lights, so vehicles cans see me clearly. 7:20, and it is time to go.

Since I was already out this morning for a 45 minute walk, I don’t feel the need for a warmup – I am warm, alert and ready to go.

One of the things I   am constantly aware of is my surroundings and environment. There is considerable spray from the pavement, still wet from last night. I immediately feel the effect of the wind from the southeast. It is daylight enough that I can see the houses of my neighbour hood.

Turning the corner, I ride a short downhill leg, so I shift up to 7^th gear. The internal hub gears shift smoothly. As I start up the first hill, I quickly shift down to second.( How steep? There must be a grading system for hills. I should look into that…) There is no traffic so far, but I pass awoman out walking, and another walking her dog.

As I pass through the parking lot of the real estate office, I see my first traffic light ahead. As is usually the case, I have to wait for the light, then wait on the island at the other side for the left turn.

Through the intersection (highway 19 and bowen road) I access the E and N trail, a Purpose built hard surface walking/biking trail the city built several years ago along the E and N railway right of way (tax dollars at work!) I pass the family of black rabbits by the car dealership. There are 6 now, sure to be more in the spring. I can here birds in the trees. I pass by another cylclist- one of the regulars. There are perhaps  6 of us who are regulars through the winter. I pass a man jogging.

The E and N ends at the intersection of Mostar/Rutheford and highway 19. While I wait for the light, I can see the animated digital board ahead – 6 degrees, and &:37 – right on time.

The home stretch along Metral – down to where the bridge crosses the creek, then a steep up hill, a more moderate uphill, and a final steeper stretch until the corner and down towards my school. I see I am first one in again this morning – good! The time is 7:45 – my commute took the usual 25 minutes. I arrive energized and alert, but not sweaty from exersion.

This afternoon, will take a slightly different route, 30 minutes to the gym, an hour and a half workout, then home. This evening I teach rock climbing at the Romper Room. Fun!