first snow

We did have a little snow in September, but this past weekend we got the first real snow -- the 6 cm of snow that stayed on the ground and probably will remain for another 4-6 months. 

I rode around town on Saturday and Sunday, trying out my two winter bikes. Yes, this year I decided to try studded tires, so I had them installed on Silver, my Trek 7.2 step-through hybrid. I am not really sold on them. They're fantastic for riding on relatively smooth ice, but if the surface is bumpy or if there is a layer of snow, it's a different story. I felt quite insecure bumping along  the trails, where the packed snow is full of footprints. It was a little better on the roads and on untrodden snow, but still not entirely comfy.

My trusty old GT Tempest, on the other hand, with its fat Table Top tires, is nothing short of superb. It rides well on all but the very smoothest ice, on bumpy snow, through a few centimeters of fresh snow -- pretty much anywhere. 

So when getting ready for Monday morning's commute, it was Miranda the GT Tempest I put in the back of the minivan. I parked in Crestwood, thinking that if the trail conditions were too prohibitive, I would walk to work, but that wasn't necessary. I hopped on the bike and rode -- albeit carefully -- down into the ravine, along the river and my tour de force: up the hill into Ezio Faraone park. When contemplating my route, I opted for this hill, telling myself that if it was too hard to ride all the way up, I would simply get off and walk -- no shame in that, after all. But I didn't have any trouble riding all the way up, and I felt so good when I reached the top that I had to stop and take a photo.

victory at the top of the hill

Unfortunately, unless you know this spot, you can't really tell that I just rode up a very steep hill. 

As I rode down into the valley, I saw a coyote run across my path and then stand in the bush to watch me pass. 

And I'm afraid I was totally guilty of this:

Twice in one day, in fact. Once when I first arrived at work and then again in the afternoon when I rode an extra 5 km each way to attend a special meeting. In my defense, they did ask, "How was your ride?"

I plan to use the studded-tire bike for errands around town this winter, and if the studs haven't grown on me by the time spring rolls around, I'll offer them for sale to someone who has a different riding style. For me, the fat tires and old mountain bike are a winning combination.

What I wore: camisole top, fine merino wool sweater, cashmere turtleneck, Icebreaker wool longjohns, J. Crew wool skinny pants, MEC Adanac tights, wool pea coat, Icebreaker merino wool scarf, bulky wool scarf, wool gloves inside warm Joe Fresh mittens, thin wool socks, thick wool socks, Merrell insulated boots, Bern winter-lined helmet. Perfect! For the ride to the meeting and back to the car, which was mostly against the wind, I added another wool pullover.  

Temperature - AM -14, windchill -21; PM -16, windchill -24.

In spite of the cold wind, when I reached my car, I was wishing I'd parked at my usual spot, 2 km farther away. Next time!

a cold start to the day

This morning before I left the house, the weather page assured me it was 12 degrees, but when I hopped on my bike I had a hard time believing it. Clad in a cotton blouse, a cardigan and a medium-weight cotton jacket (about the same thing I wore yesterday for the same temperature) by the time I reached 149 Street, I was so cold that I had decided (a) to stop and put on my water- and windproof shell, and (b) to ride on the streets instead of through the River Valley, which is always a few degrees colder  than the high ground. 

But when I stopped at the pedestrian bridge that leads to Stony Plain Road so that I could do (a) before doing (b), I saw a female cyclist come up out of the valley wearing nothing but a short-sleeved polo-type shirt and capri pants. Well, that sight stirred up my competitive nature and a little voice told me, "If she can do it, you can do it..." adding with a snicker, "You have a lot more layers on, after all."

So down, down, down I went into the valley. It was cold, no doubt, and I was glad I'd added the fourth layer. I rode through the valley and up Fortway and 107 Street without ever feeling warm, except for that warm satisfied feeling I get inside every time I reach the top of the hill.

Yes, I was glad I'd risen to the challenge.

And in the afternoon, I was glad that once again (just like yesterday) I made it back to the car before the rain began. Tomorrow's forecast is for pretty much all day rain, so I'll have to be prepared, but Friday is supposed to be sunny and decently warm, so there is something to look forward to.

cold's the word

I take great pride in saying that I rode my bike to work every day last week. It was C-O-L-D. Minus 35 wind chill a couple of mornings. On Tuesday and Wednesday (the warmer days) I rode from 165 Street (7.5 km) but on Monday and Thursday I parked closer to 149 Street, making my ride only 5 km. 

On Monday, after seeing the minus 35 windchill on the weather page, I tried a balaclava for the first time. It fit nicely under my helmet, but other than that it was a bit of a disaster. My glasses fogged up so badly I had to take them off and put them in my pocket, riding the rest of the way gözlüksüz. That's Turkish for sans lunettes, or in plain English, without glasses. It was okay, as I could still see cars and people and stuff, but it was by no means ideal. That day I learned that when you don't wear anything on the eyes, your eyelashes freeze.

I must confess that on Friday and Saturday I didn't even step outside. I've had a lot of work to do for my Teaching Standardized Test Prep course, so that -- not the cold -- is my excuse. I think I'll venture out today, if only to bring my bike inside for its weekly cleaning and chain lube. I have a feeling that once I see the bike, I won't be able to resist taking it for a bit of a spin. 

-25 C and below

This week the wind chill has been -25 or lower every day. Each morning after looking at the weather report, I briefly considered not riding my bike, but each afternoon I arrived back at the car happy that I rode!

In the mornings I head east and the wind is barely noticeable. I've worn my big bulky winter boots the last three days and although they are not the most comfortable cycling footwear, they are warm. On my hands, I wear wool gloves inside the good old Olympic mittens. My hands are fine. As for the rest of me, three merino wool layers and my L.L. Bean riding coat do the trick. Of course three scarves help, too! 

Today when I saw that the windchill was -34, I decided to park in Crestwood, thus reducing my riding distance from 7.5 to 5 kilometers. Maybe that was a good thing, but after work, when I crossed the pedestrian bridge and realized that I didn't have to ride any farther, I was kind of sad.

There is no doubt that it is cold outside, but riding is still a pleasure, and it is such a satisfying feeling to know I didn't let a little bit of windchill stop me from using my favourite method to get to work. 

And today I saw two other cyclists. 

front fenders required

I think it's time to install a front fender. I had one put on my bike when I first got it ready for winter, but the Bike Shop Guys didn't quite get the whole ride-your-bike-in-winter thing, and the fender fell off and broke the second time I rode down an icy, bumpy back alley. From that day forward, everything was frozen and white, so that fenders were not an issue. But the recent thawing has changed all that. Enough with the spattered face and glasses. 

Time for a trip to the bike shop to buy a new fender. I'll make sure they put it on properly this time!

Yesterday I rode to the library and then to Superstore. It was a fast ride on mostly clear trails. City streets are still a bit icy, but better than they have been. 

There's nothing quite like Spring in January to make a happy cyclist!

Yesterday I got the Keep Calm and Pedal On T-shirt that Son #4 ordered for me for Christmas, in my favourite pink. Now all I need is a warm sunny day so I can wear it for riding.

Speedster

Yesterday's ride back to the car was fast and fun, on clear roads and trail.

I'd almost forgotten what it's like to pedal hard and fast, with no worries about ice or slush or mounds of snow. After work, I took the Railtown Trail and 102 Avenue, and it was the winter ride of my dreams. The temperature was about +3, there was only a little wind, and traffic was light and friendly. The 100 Avenue shared pathway I ride for the last couple of kilometers was kind of icy, but that couldn't dampen my spirits.

With the mild temperatures this week, I have been wearing my new-to-me jacket -- from Banana Republic via the thrift shop. It's a cotton-polyester smooth-coated outer layer with polyester lining and a big fur collar. Mud spatters simply wipe off. The length is perfect for cycling and it is comfortable, provides just the right amount of warmth and, with its nipped-in waist, it looks stylish. [I'm afraid that yesterday I even garnered a few wolf whistles from passing vehicles as I waited at red lights. It was that kind of day; guys are obviously getting spring fever.] The jacket also has lots of pockets with snaps and zippers -- gotta love that. I think I paid about $15 for it so, as Paddington would say, it was very good value indeed.

I love shopping for cycling clothing at thrift shops for a few reasons. First and most obviously, the price. Secondly, it allows me to try various styles and determine what works and what doesn't. If something doesn't work out, it's only a few dollars down the tubes. And finally, if something gets irreparably stained or damaged, it is no great loss.

On a sadder note, I also wore my MEC Adanac tights and ripped a tiny hole in one of the legs -- it got caught in the chain as I made a hasty dismount for an unanticipated slush pile. Sigh... the hidden costs of winter commuting. [It's still worth it, though.] 

camo for bike lanes?

Camouflaged bike lanes? What next?

Today I had to stop in at our rental house, so I parked nearby and rode downtown along 106 Street, ostensibly in the bike lane. 
What bike lane? It's there, but cleverly disguised as just more of the same old snow, ice and grit. So I rode in the vehicle lane most of the way. It was still a good ride. 

The distance is just under 7 km, and when I mapped out the route on Google Maps, it said it would take 28 minutes. Well, it took me exactly 28 minutes. Considering the road conditions, I thought that was not bad! The trip back to the house took only 24 minutes.

Drivers along 106 Street are so courteous. Several times I moved as far right as I could, thinking I'd let some cars pass me, but each time the cars continued to drive behind me. No one honked or yelled or waved their hands angrily at me. My bike is well-lit and I wore my reflective sash, and I felt safe and comfortable riding there. 

I didn't see many other cyclists. There was one fatbike rider, riding on the sidewalk. Huh? I don't get it -- why spend a minimum of $1700 on a sidewalk bike? And as I approached Saskatchewan Drive, I saw one other regular cyclist heading south. 

I'm working on this selfie thing. 
I figure as an English teacher I should not only know about new words but should actively use them. And, if the Pope can endorse selfies, they must be an okay thing, right? 
Obviously, I still need some practice!

arrival at work -- I tried the "night" setting on my phone camera -- clearly NOT the thing to do

It was rather cold: -15 with wind chill of -26. I wore my new L.L. Bean riding coat over three merino sweaters. On my legs: long underwear, skinny pants and my MEC Adanac tights. On my head: a wool cap lined with fleece and my helmet. Around my neck: a small fleece scarf inside the coat and my big long alpaca scarf on the outside, wrapped around twice. On my hands: wool gloves and my Olympic mittens. (There are new ones out now for the Sochi Olympics, but they don't look quite as warm.) On my feet: thin socks, Smartwool socks and my tall boots. I was warm enough, except for the times I had to stop and wait for the light to change -- then my feet got a little bit cold.

love these extra-warm mittens

Today was our last day of classes before the Christmas break. Tomorrow we have a Christmas party. For the last three days, I've had the students speak on various topics -- sometimes they choose; sometimes I assign the topic. After each student finishes speaking, the other students can ask questions. They enjoy this immensely and did a great job. It's fun to hear what they have to say and it's heartening to see how much progress they've made after just a few months. The end of a session -- and in this case, the end of a year of teaching -- always makes me reflect on how fortunate I am to have a job I love, as well as an awesome way to get to work, even when, "Baby, it's cold outside"!

What to wear for a winter bike ride

Apparently the city of Calgary is progressive enough that the Herald features a blog about cycling. In a recent article, the author talked about how to dress for winter and the problem of overdressing, claiming that the real challenge of winter cycling is not being too cold but becoming hot and sweaty.

I've had those days, for sure. Like two weeks ago, during freezing rain, when my ride was mostly on ice and I had to walk a good part of the time. I walk fast, even when dragging a bike, and I was pretty tense, walking and riding on a virtual skating rink. I wore a leather jacket that day and arrived at work dismayed to find that my silk shirt was literally soaked with sweat. Fortunately I was wearing a cardigan as well, so I kept that on all day to cover up any nasty looking marks on the shirt.

Last week was moderately cold: mornings were about -10 to -15 C and afternoons were -5 or so. Ice was not a major problem so I was more relaxed. I also dressed appropriately and didn't have any problems with sweat.

What I wore:

• Layer 1: silky cami (polyester fabric)
• Layer 2: wool or cashmere pullover
• Layer 3: wool or cashmere cardigan OR velveteen or wool blazer
• Layer 4: wool-blend (75% wool) pea coat
• on my legs: long underwear, regular pants, MEC Adanac cycling tights (the tights are good for x-c skiing, too)
• on my hands: wool-angora-nylon blend gloves inside a cheap pair of mittens I bought years ago at Superstore -- this is by far the best combo I have found for my hands -- forget all those expensive cycling-specific mitts and gloves
• on my feet: thin bamboo socks with wool socks over top, lamb-wool lined boots
• cashmere scarf inside coat collar
• white fleece scarf tied outside coat collar
• fleece earband and bike helmet
• and the star of the show: a reflective sash

It looks like a long list of clothing, but it is pretty much what I would wear for walking. Since I walk super fast, I would probably wear only one scarf if walking. 

The great thing about this outfit is that it consists of normal clothing. I don't need to change when I arrive at work. Sometimes I need to take off Layer #3. If I want to go out for a walk at lunch time, I have a suitable jacket. The last two winters and even this past fall, concerned about visibility, I have worn cycling-specific jackets. Not only do they tend to lead to that uncomfortable sweaty feeling (they are usually not particularly breathable, even the ones that claim that property) but they look kind of funny when worn for casual wear.

The other great thing? Wool and cashmere are not only warm, they are the ultimate in breathable. Even if you do sweat a little while wearing these materials, it's not a big deal -- they dry fairly quickly and don't smell. (At least I hope not!)

For shorter rides when it is around zero, I often wear a leather jacket with just one scarf that I can loosen if I get too warm. This seems to work pretty well, and the leather is easy to wipe clean.

I did buy a new coat recently and I want to try it for cycling. Maybe this coming week. I've been wearing it for walking the dog in the evenings and it seems perfect -- lightweight and warm but not sweaty. I'm thinking it will be good for the really cold days when I want something to cover my legs. I have a down coat in a similar style, but talk about sweat-inducing!

OK, so I just reread that article, and I see that the author thinks long johns are not normal clothes. This is where he and I diverge. In the winter my long johns cover my legs from dawn to dusk, seven days a week. Thay are most definitely normal clothes. But even without long johns, if you pull on a pair of nylon pants (running pants are what I used the last two years; this year I bought the MEC tights) over your jeans, you will be warm and comfy and still look OK at the grocery store or your kid's school. In fact, despite how dumpy they look on the MEC web site, in real life the MEC tights look kind of stylish when worn with nice boots.

mercury falling

minus 12 ~ that's what the thermometer said this morning 

when I arrived at work.

I wasn't too terribly cold as I rode from my car along the shared sidewalk and into Crestwood, but on my descent into the River Valley, I felt the temp drop a few degrees. Fortunately, I was dressed in plenty of layers: my cami, a cashmere sweater, a merino wool cardigan, two Sugoi thermal cycling jackets, and my Sugoi Versa windproof jacket. I wore long underwear. On my ears I wore a fleece earband, on my feet I wore wool gloves and lined short boots, and on my hands I had angora/wool gloves inside a pair of fleece-lined mittens. I wasn't cozy, but I was warm enough, and that's how it should be on the bike. Best of all, I didn't get too hot, even after riding up the hill on Victoria Park Drive.

During rides like this, as the icy wind hits my face, I sometimes ask myself if I am crazy. But then I remember how much I dislike driving, and how good I feel after the ride is over. And of course, the ride home is almost always easier -- warmer and sunnier.

Today in my afternoon class, I taught the students how to write a diamond poem. They loved it.They worked together to compose three poems: Elephant (the Sri Lankan student's idea), River (Cambodian student) and Trees (Ukrainian student.) It was a wonderful way to use previously learned vocabulary, and the students were so pleased with their work that they all wanted to write more for homework. Something to look forward to tomorrow!

being dry is overrated

It's true. 

Last night the forecast read 
High: 3 C. Rain: 5 mm.

Even so, I knew I would rather ride my bike than drive downtown to work.

Why would I want to drive and miss out on seeing Old Man Coyote on my path as I descend into the River Valley? That's what I saw this morning. Of course, it was raining and cold; and there was no way I was going to stop for a photo shoot, 
but I have the picture to treasure in my mind as a reminder of why 

life is better on a bike.

Then there are the unexpected sights like this dazzling red tree and the contrasting yellow of a fall flower garden. In the car, I'd probably drive on past unseeing.

There are the other cyclists I encounter. We exchange nods and smiles as we pass, knowing that whatever our differences in age, bicycle style, clothing, destination, 

we have something in common.

Today I was even sort of excited about the rain, as it gave me a chance to try out my new MEC Adanac tights. I had a hard time forking over the $80 for these tights. I have two pairs of almost-waterproof pants that I've used for the last three years, and they are still in good condition. They fit over my regular pants, and most days, if the rain or snow is not too heavy, they are adequate. But they are a bit too big, and on the days when they are not adequate, I really feel it. So I finally decided to outfit myself properly. I bought a small, thinking that this way they'd be large enough to wear over my regular pants. They are large enough (even a bit loose) through the hips and thighs, but the calves are pretty narrow. Today I wore them over skinny pants and they were fine, but I'm not sure how they'd be over pants with a wider leg. But they did their job! I rode for almost half an hour in steady rain, and they kept me completely dry. 

On top, over my cashmere pullover and wool cardigan, I wore my two Sugoi jackets -- one thermal layer and one barrier layer. The Versa jacket (barrier layer) is one of my favourite pieces, as it has removable sleeves -- all one piece that attaches with magnets -- and if I find I'm getting too hot, I simply pull this part of the jacket away from my shoulders, roll it up and stuff it in the back pocket. The remaining vest still gives good visibility and wind protection, but I keep cool.

On my hands, my trusty Castelli Diluvio gloves. These were a great buy, as they are perfect for temperatures between +10 and -5 Celsius, which is what we have for a good part of the year. They are comfy and look cool, too.

Tuesday...

In anticipation of picking up Little Granddaughter's laundry after work, I parked at my Callingwood spot and rode 13.5 km, mostly on multi-use pathways. Nice! I still feel a little uncertain on the many-branched path between my parking spot and West Edmonton Mall, but seeing a line of red shopping carts ahead is a good way to know I am focused on my target: the WEM Target store. 

As I ride along 165 Street, I pass some schools with names that have pleasant associations for me. There is Afton School, bringing to mind long-ago piano lessons. A little farther along is a school named after Thomas More; in my opinion, one of history's most interesting characters. There is also a sign that I find amusing: Parent Parking Patrol. No idea what it means, but it sounds like something that would feature on Sesame Street for the Letter P.

cartons of what??

And no matter how fast or slow I ride, I always seem to hit the red light at the Foody Mart intersection. In fact, I always arrive just as the light has turned red, meaning I have lots of time to contemplate this sign and to wonder just what "By the Carton" items Foody Mart deals in. Maybe one day I'll stop in and take a look. But I doubt it. It's on the wrong side of the street, for starters. But it is clearly an up-and-coming business.

Today as I entered the River Valley, a rabbit ran across my path. Seeing wildlife along the way makes my already-enjoyable ride even more delightful. As I began my climb up the Fortway Road hill, I saw another form of wildlife: a group of about 20 men, dressed in matching athletic wear, sitting on the grass and apparently listening to a pep talk of some kind. No idea what sport or what team. 

It was a gorgeous day and a great ride, but look what I wore! I wanted to wear my peachy-coloured skinny jeans. It was a cool morning, so I threw on my hot-pink thermal cycling jacket for the ride to work. A fashion statement I was not! I did look more pulled-together once I removed the pink jacket, revealing a cute and classic black pleated top.

A Study in Clashing

By the way, I love this Sugoi RS Zero jacket. I had to buy a larger size than I normally wear, as the shop didn't have the smaller sizes, but that turned out to be a good thing, as I can layer it over almost anything. I wore it all winter for both riding my bike and cross-country skiing. It is comfortable, cozy and highly visible -- everything an urban cyclist needs.

at last...

Yesterday's commute to and from work was all a bicycle commute should be. It wasn't exactly warm, but very pleasant weather for riding, and I rode both ways through the River Valley. It was my first time riding up and down the hill on Fortway Drive and 107 Street since last December; it was definitely more pleasant with no snow and ice on the road! 

Gravel is all that remains of winter, and I'm sure that will soon be cleared away. The potholes and cracks in the pavement are another story -- I braked all the way as I went downhill, out of sheer terror that one of those bumps might unseat me.

A bunny crossed my path as I rode past the entrance to the Legislature Grounds.

The River Valley path was busy with pedestrians and cyclists, but it still beats riding in traffic, and the climbs provide just enough of a workout to make me feel that my commute isn't completely effortless.  

At lunch time I had to go to the computer shop in Oliver to get some stuff for Hubby. It's next to a sportswear shop, so I ducked in there and found a great deal on a Sugoi windbreaker in my signature pink colour -- this one is extremely lightweight and has removable sleeves (they hold on with magnets) to convert it to a vest. I wore it for the ride home, and it was just the right weight for a breezy 15 C day. Not sure how it'll be in the rain, but I have another jacket for that if I need it. My other windbreaker is too heavy for warmer days. 

I also got a pink and black thermal jacket, but haven't decide yet whether I'll keep it.

On my way back to work after my shopping trip, I saw a City of Edmonton employee (or so his shirt sleeve proclaimed) riding a bicycle. Not only was he wearing a helmet and a hi-vis fluorescent vest, but his bike was equipped with a front headlight that only a blind person could miss, it was so bright. I didn't get to see him ride on the road (he was on the Railtown path when I saw him) but I had to wonder whether he was doing a better job of obeying the traffic laws than the young women who had just passed me. She was riding a retro-style bike and had an ethnic-looking cross-body bag over her shoulder. No helmet, of course; hair hanging loose. She looked urban smart, to be sure. BUT -- she rode on the sidewalk, in the opposite direction of traffic. When the sidewalk ended abruptly, she didn't look for oncoming traffic, but blithely proceeded to ride onto the road, sort of down the middle. She then crossed the intersection on the wrong side and took a sharp right to swing around to the ramp admitting her to the Railtown path. From what I observed, she didn't look for cars at the intersection either. She's certainly not the only one, but it's a shame that cyclists like that give the rest of us a bad name. 

Girls on bikes

“Let me tell you what I think of bicycling. I think it has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world. It gives women a feeling of freedom and self-reliance. I stand and rejoice every time I see a woman ride by on a wheel…the picture of free, untrammeled womanhood.”
― Susan B. Anthony

I'd like to see her on a bike!!

More than 100 years later, women still cycle less than men. Does this surprise you? It did me. I’d never really thought about it, but if asked I would have said that cycling is an equal-opportunity activity. After all, I’ve always ridden a bike – both for transportation and for recreation.

I had a rough start to cycling, truth be told. The bike my parents had purchased for me was a bit too big, so I learned to ride on my younger brother’s bike. For some reason, neither of our bikes had training wheels. Maybe back then people didn’t use them. I started out with my dad holding the back and running alongside. When he thought I had the hang of it, he let me go on my own. I had the hang of riding, all right, but apparently I didn’t have a clue about braking, and ran smack-dab into a school bus parked down the street. You can use your imagination to finish the story. It was not pleasant. I cried, but I got right back on the bike, and I’ve been hooked ever since.

All through high school and university I rode my ten-speed almost everywhere. I had a car (a $400 1965 Dodge Polara) and I used it, too, but during the spring, summer and fall, I mostly rode my bike.

When my children were small, I continued to ride. I always had a child seat on the back of my bike, and often I carried a baby in a front carrier as well. I rode for fun and I rode to the grocery store, to the library, to church and to aerobics classes. Cycling just seemed to me the most practical and natural way to travel.

When my youngest son was in kindergarten we bought a Trail-a-Bike and until ice covered the ground, this is how we got to school. (We walked in winter.)
 
But through all these years of riding, it never occurred to me that I was almost always the only one. The only girl my age who rode a bike all the time.

Looking back, however, I realize that’s how it was.

So, I guess the results of the City of Edmonton cycling survey should not have come as a surprise: 

The largest demographic group who responded to the survey was male cyclists between the ages of 31 and 50 years old. The largest group of female cyclists consisted of the age group between 21 and 30 years old. It is noted that while the number of male cyclists who completed this survey grows or remains steady after age 30, the number of female cyclists steadily declines. (http://www.edmonton.ca/transportation/2005-2006_BicycleUserSurveyResults.pdf)

After reading this, I did some googling about women and cycling. Maybe it’s just Edmonton, I thought. But no. It seems that throughout North America, from Vancouver to Toronto, from Seattle to New York City, men on bikes outnumber women by as much as three to one.

Various explanations are posited, with fashion and safety concerns seeming to dominate. Women don’t like to wear cycling clothing and get all sweaty, and women want to feel safe. I get it on both counts.

Girls just want to look good. I do, too. Although I am fit and athletic and place a high priority on an active lifestyle, I am at heart a girly girl. I have long hair, I paint my toenails, I like fashionable clothing, and I feel a deep sense of disappointment whenever I can’t find a pink version of my favourite toothbrush.

For years I cycled without a bicycle helmet because of what it did to my hair. Then I realized the harsh truth – my hair isn’t that great, no matter what. It’s long and baby-fine and wavy, and if I wear it in a braid under my helmet, after I brush it out, it looks about the same as it would look if I carefully curled it in the morning and then drove to work. So, I decided to suck it up and accept my hair for what it is.

As for clothing, I like the idea of cycling in regular clothes. But for me, it generally doesn’t work. My ride is 7 or 8 km on dusty, often rain-slick, city streets and if I wear my work clothes, I can arrive at work looking like I was out playing in the sandbox or in the rain puddles. Sometimes I’ve looked down to see big grease marks on my pant leg. I’ve decided it’s worth it to dress for the task.

In winter I wear my regular work clothes – typically three layers: a silky cami top, a merino wool or cashmere pullover sweater, and either a blazer or a merino or cashmere cardigan. Then, depending on the temperature, I might put on my pink Sugoi “RS Zero” jacket for warmth, along with my MEC supermicroft wind-and-water proof jacket on top of everything. If it’s a little warmer, I wear just the MEC jacket.

On my legs I wear thin long underwear, either cotton or lined woolen pants, and over these a pair of reflective water-resistant running pants. When I arrive at work, I simply peel off the outer layers and I’m ready to go.

In warm dry weather, I sometimes live dangerously and cycle in my work pants. Slim-legged crops are fine as they are; wider-legged pants are secured with elasticized straps to prevent their getting caught in the chain. If I want to wear a skirt for work (as I frequently do in the summer) or on rainy days, I wear cycling shorts or tights and change at work. 

A hot summer day, hair in a bun

If it’s a cool morning, I often wear my work shirt or blouse under a lightweight cycling jacket. On my way home and on warmer mornings, I typically wear a cycling jersey and put my work top in my pannier. The cycling jersey is worth the bother for several reasons. On warm days, I sometimes get a little sweaty. Also, my normal work tops, which are fine for work activities, tend to gape at the neckline when I lean over the handlebars of a bike. I hear there are men out there who enjoy looking down women’s tops, and I try not to cater to them. And, finally, because I ride on city streets, often in heavy traffic, I strive for maximum visibility. My cycling jerseys, in colours not found in nature, ensure that drivers can’t miss seeing me.

All this might sound like a lot of bother. But, really, if you live in Edmonton and go anywhere in the winter, you have to bundle up. My co-worker wears snow pants for her 15-minute commute by car. When I take the bus, I notice people wearing as many layers as I wear for cycling – after all, they have to walk to and from the bus and often wait 15 minutes at the bus stop.

In warmer weather, it’s just a matter of changing from my cycling jersey into my work top – maybe a 30 second operation. I use the handicapped stall of the washrooms as a change room; there’s plenty of space and a large, almost full-length mirror. Sometimes I have to wash my face and reapply make-up; since I don’t wear a lot, this is not a problem. I gave up on mascara and simply curl my lashes. I’ve considered having them dyed… maybe someday. Once you become a committed bicycle commuter, I think priorities shift slightly.

Surprise!

I’ve always tried to avoid being photographed, but since I started teaching ESL, I’ve been in front of students’ cameras more than I’d like. Ironically, even though my look these days could be summarized as “bicycle commuter,” I’ve been pleasantly surprised, on viewing the photos, to find that I don’t look nearly as bad as I expect. 

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