I went out for a ride in the snow this morning, just to get outside and play. I didn't go far, just a couple of miles that brought me up the hill to nearby woods and a quiet neighborhood. It was great fun and included a short bicycling history lesson.
The road surfaces were perfect for my tires, which are studded but not meant for deep snow (the 35 mm Schwalbe Marathon Winter tires with about 240 studs). I felt pretty safe out there. I also went through Menotomy Rocks Park, which was both a winter wonderland and a safe haven for dog walkers who are friendly and talkative.
I met several people in the park. One woman was impressed that I was riding and and though the studded tires were a great idea. It turns out she is very closely connected to cycling. She asked me if I knew about this race, really a ride that a few people did called "Boston Montreal Boston" (yes, I've heard about it although I never even thought of trying it!) that she finished and talked about riding with John Allison and knew Pamela Blalock. Her love of bicyling was passed down to her son: he rides a lot and lives near and climbs Mount Tam frequently. She said he owns a Firefly and a Moots. She didn't want the notoriety of having her picture on the web but did want a picture of me to share with her son.
I also met a guy who said he was a racer by telling me that he shaved his legs until he was forty. That allusion may not have been clear to everyone. He told me that he was a cat 4 racer and not very fast and that if I looked him up by his last name that I would find his cousin. She was the real racer in his family.
And, finally, I met a group of women who were interested in how I could ride in the snow. After checking out my tires they told me stories of cyclists in the neighborhood including a 78 year old guy who rides 300 miles a week. And they told me about another neighbor, Bob Selker, who worked at the MIT Media Lab and commuted to work in a French speedo bathing suit so people would notice him.
Not bad for a short time on my 3 speed.
 |
| I'm not sure if I have been on this street before. Just down the hill is Pleasant Street. |
 |
| The snow was deeper by the time I got to the park but still easily passable for me. |
I also met a guy who said he was a racer by telling me that he shaved his legs until he was forty. That allusion may not have been clear to everyone. He told me that he was a cat 4 racer and not very fast and that if I looked him up by his last name that I would find his cousin. She was the real racer in his family.
And, finally, I met a group of women who were interested in how I could ride in the snow. After checking out my tires they told me stories of cyclists in the neighborhood including a 78 year old guy who rides 300 miles a week. And they told me about another neighbor, Bob Selker, who worked at the MIT Media Lab and commuted to work in a French speedo bathing suit so people would notice him.
Not bad for a short time on my 3 speed.
when you're out on days like that, everybody you meet is the real thing +++
ReplyDeleteEspecially dog walkers. They can't avoid going out but enjoy it.
Delete