This bicycle is a work of art,
a thing of beauty,
a way in which to transport thyself.
Winter Installment 11
I am not adverse to riding my beauty in cold weather.
Look at us together...
so happy.
I in my mitts, scarf, and hat,
She in her basket, lights, fenders, and skirt guard.
What I am adverse to,
is taking my beauty out in a Minnesota winter once it hits.
This is my car.
Note that it is completely covered in salt and icky snow melting chemicals.
This is Minnesota in winter.
Sometimes you drive down the roads after they have finally dried off and the chemicals they have put on the road are now dried and blowing around like white fog, still covering everything and easily inhaled.
Yuck!
I do not want all this stuff on my beautiful bicycle that I paid quite a bit of money for and can not afford to replace.
There, I said it.
Lame, but true.
Yes, she has internal components, but let's be honest, this stuff is brutal and it is going to work it's way in.
I'm not only concerned with the exterior of my bike being covered in corroding chemicals, but with the interior of my bike being covered with corroding chemicals. These icky things will move their way inside and eventually cause problems in addition to rusting out the Pash from the inside out.
There certainly is a part of me that says you got the thing to ride her, take her out and what will be will be. It is made to be used, not sit idle.
But the part of me that respects the Pash and my bank account can not with lightness of heart do that.
And so, we are content to gaze at each other,
she as she rests in the livingroom for the winter,
and I as I do a few other things to keep myself happy in this toughest of months...
What I do do is...
Ride the Trek on her trainer.
I addressed this here and here last year.
I actually do not mind doing this (once I give in to starting it),
I need exercise when it is -17F and this is one of the ways I do it.
It keeps me sane and happy,
gives me that much needed time on a bicycle,
and allows me time to watch pbs and movies I do not normally have time to watch.
I also do Bikram yoga ~ which I also mentioned here last year.
Bikram is key exercise for me in the winter,
and also creates those zen meditative moments I need so much.
Plus, it is SO great to be hot and sweaty in the dead of winter!
Shared paths are common in the winter...
Greenway to my left... Greenway to my right...
Here they come... There they go...
In the winter I am still out on the bike paths,
but for now propelling myself with my feet...
The other thing I do a lot of is walking.
I have found one of the best things to do is just get outside.
It also keeps me sane.
In the winter I feel really isolated,
you rarely see people out and about,
and I miss that.
So I head down to my favorite lake,
get a little water time,
get a little people watching time,
commune with nature,
get fresh air,
and feel like I am part of my world.
Walking is a vital part of my winter routine.
For more on being part of your winter environment,
suggested reading: On My Swedish Island, referenced here.
I encourage everyone to get out and be part of their surroundings.
Maybe like me you do not want to take your beauty out in the harsh environs,
and maybe like me you can not yet afford a winter bicycle or converting your old one.
Do not let these things be obstacles, take advantage of winter's pause
and enjoy the change to your routine.
Doing the same thing day after day is stale,
finding ways to enjoy the everyday,
definitely not.
Happy Saturday Everyone!
I am off for a walk...
9 comments:
i am totally with you on not subjecting your Pashley to road salt & chemical snow melters. i'm sure we don't get nearly as much snow as you do (although we are having quite a blizzard at the moment), but i feel like once the salt makes an appearance it tends to linger. maybe in the future i'll feel differently, but right now my Pashley still too new for me to subject her to that harshness...
glad you're finding other ways to enjoy the outdoors! one of the many, many reasons i love my beast (yoko) is that i never have the option to stay indoors - no matter what the weather she needs exercise & bathroom breaks. she is particularly energized by our current massive snowfall & would play in it for hours if i allowed her. she especially likes diving into & eating the snow :)
hey genevieve! thank you for understanding. we really do not have that much snow, it has only significantly snowed once, but it's still here and it is messy! let me know if you ever bring your Pash out in the Salt.
Bob's needs used to bring us many outdoor adventures too - like Snowshoeing in the Rocky Mountains on Christmas Day. But alas, at 13 he has slowed down and we are all content with little jaunts near the lake.
I also do a lot of walking, and will probably be getting back to that once the snow hits. We are promised a blizzard tonight. I am waiting...
The trainer idea is so mysterious, maybe I should consider that. I had gotten so used to keeping in shape with the loooong bike rides over the Summer and Fall, and I'm worried that I will become an amoeba blob by the time Spring arrives!
I like walking, too. I've been neglecting the simple walk lately, since it's so much easier to bike everywhere, but have been doing more of it now that I have a lunch break in a new part of town. Bikram yoga - I'm a big fan of that, too! I need to do more of that now that's it's freezing outside again.
I wonder if Pashley is as delicate as you think. I rode my Dutch bike all last winter with zero problems and zero maintenance. I've since had her looked over - inside and out - by the bike shop (very cheap!) and there is no corrosion at all. Nothing needed replacing or cleaning, just some good ol' fashioned oil on the chain and hub. Not sure how that compares to the Pashley, but she seems like a solid and sturdy bike.
hey Filigree. Hope you got your snow! The trainer isn't the same as being out and about, but it helps. I'm not a gym gal, but I am a gal who likes to stay in shape. I always put on a little winter weight, blah!
hey Dottie. I have to admit I am pretty skeptical about corrosives not getting inside the frame. I doubt it is something one would notice after one season, but a silent and slow moving disease. H is really skeptical ~ he rides outside all winter long. I don't doubt the Pash is solid and sturdy, but I just can not afford to test her limits right now. Glad your bike is treating you well, it's a good example for us all!
Ditto. You obviously know I'm not riding Pashley either. Internal parts... aren't going to stop the snow and salt from crunching on other parts of the pretty lady. And she's a steel bike. Steel = rust.
We'll know it's spring when Pashley comes out again! Though I did ride her last year when it was icy and now brown snowy.
S*
hey miss s! I find this all reassuring...thanks.☺ I figure Spring will come about as quickly Summer goes, I can not wait! Happy New Year!
Hello - found your blog via LC's one (Naturally Cycling: Manchester) - always nice to find another Pashley Girl blogging!
Nice blog :)
Lady Vélo.
Hey LV ~ thanks for stopping by! Yes, always nice to find another Pash Gal! I appreciate the kind comments and it's fun knowing you are riding half way around the world. Ride on...
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