Winter Biking: 10 Top Reasons

Fri December 25 2009
Posted Dec 25, 2009
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Des Moines From our good friend and bicycle advocate; Carl Voss It’s great to get outdoors on winter days. Last week, I mounted my studded bike tire on the front of my commuter bike. Can't let a little white stuff get in the away of enjoying another day in paradise, to paraphrase Dr. Bob Breedlove. Why bike in the winter? Glad you asked. Here are 10 reasons to drag that bike out of the garage and embrace winter. 10. I already own outdoor apparel for Iowa’s winters. Nothing more to buy! 9. I can bike even if the roads are not cleared. No worry about being stuck in traffic. 8. Go green when it’s white: Rather than wasting fossil fuel to run a car heater, we pedal to keep warm. 7. After most snowstorms, many of our great shared-used paths (trails) are plowed. 6. I've never had to dig my bike out of a snowbank or driveway. 5. Enjoy the new-fallen snow instead of cursing it. 4. Biking outdoors beats a spinning class at a fitness center. 3. I hate scraping windshields! 2. Let’s burn some calories this winter! I’ve never met a cookie exchange I didn’t like. And the #1 reason to enjoy winter biking: My bike engine (me) starts every time. Shameless plug: The Des Moines Bicycle Collective will sponsor a Winter Biking Clinic from 3:30-5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan.9. Details.