So I am dumb. Actually most people already know that, but occasionally I like to reiterate this fact. So at the moment Vancouver is in the grips of snow.... ekk! Actually, righ now it reminds me of Ontario. Okay, on with the story. Well yesterday, with all the compact ice covered roads, I decided to ride from Vancouver to the velodrome in Burnaby. I left early in the morning (around 7am) and let me say it was frickin' cold, slick and just a wee bit dangerous. I did NOT see a single cyclist during my time, confirming the fact that I am as mad as a hatter. That said it made for some interesting moments:
Dumb moment #1
This dude in an SUV cut me off on the ice on Francis/Union bike path. So I decided to fight back for all cyclists by passing him back, on the completely ice covered road going up hill. Through careful ballance I was able to drop the hammer and get by him, but then came a moment's lack of concentration, the rear wheel came spinning out on me and I fell, slid in circles then ended up smack in front of him as he slammed on the brakes and slide up to me on the ice.
You should have seen the look on his face.
Dumb moment #2
Comming down the Francis/Union bike path I reached Renfrew, I was not able to stop on the ice coming down the hill. I ended on my ass... it was funny!
Dumb moment #3
I had to ride in the smack dab middle of the road coming down the Barnet Hyw into the velodrome. There was no shoulder so I had no choice, but the lane still had ice in it as I was humming along as fast as I would go thinking "man if I whip-out on the ice I am screwed as the truck behind will run me over".
Cool Moment #1
In the end I made it to the velodrome. Riding board was sooo much better.
Cool Moment #2
After hitting the track I went to SFU then decided to take the skytrain home cause I was staying late. On the sky train I ran into another mad soul with a mounatin bike (he had riden in on the trails in the morning). We got chatting then he started asking me some serious questions about how much I ride. I thought it was a little odd, but I answered honestly.
He then asked me if I would be interested in being a component tester and gave me his email. Dat's cool! I fired off an email this morning but I am waiting to hear more.
The moral of the story is to ride your bike! Who knows what it may bring.
Historical Note
Also for historical interest we got a snow dump almost the exact same time last year:
Comments
Scarey stuff Wease, especially the part about falling in front of the truck.
I haven't ridden since Saturday night when it first started snowing.
I'm actually using (*GASP*) my car now.
I put my snow tires on it on Sunday and have been nestled in my cozy little german 4 cylinder cage. Of course, even with dedicated snow tires on it, its low enough that I'm 50/50 grinding it everywhere.
Next winter I'm going to be prepared though.
I'll have all the gear, and studded tires on the bike.
(..and hopefully won't have a car to fall back on.)
By the way.. what do you recommend for (non studded) Cyclocross tires? Do you have any spares?
((lyledriver))
You crazy bastage. I rode to the climbing gym yesterday after putting 'cross tires on my commuter and I got some funny looks and was only a 2 km ride. I was running 30psi which seemed to get me good grip. My classes were all canceled this week so I didn't have a reason to ride to school but I am going tomorrow so I do get one day in the snow.
It snowed here in London!
Not really news in itself but it's only the 3rd(?) time I've seen snow and first time in London so it was cool for me!
Unfortunately I was not able to ride in the whole 1" of fluffy whiteness so I suffered the almost total failure of London's train system :)
Only one night worth though as it seems to have warmed up now.