a fresh spin on city cycling
Imagine having to steal your own bike.
That’s what I was thinking about when my heavy-duty U lock seized up over the weekend. Despite a smooth turn of the key, the shackle refused to budge from the bar, leaving my bike virtually welded to a “No Parking” sign in front of a restaurant on Lafayette Street. I wondered, Whom would I call to break the lock? A bike shop, a locksmith…a bicycle thief? And where would I find one of those, anyway?
Maybe because it’s awards season, I was thinking that swag bags — you know, the freebie totes that accumulate in the closet — make pretty good bike basket liners.
Ready-made liners are great, but their bright patterns and cotton fabrics often seem to me to be better suited to sunny Southern California cruising (no disrespect — wish I was there today!) than to urban riding, especially in messy weather. Why not give a shot to a reasonably attractive, but languishing item that’s yearning for a useful life?
Over the winter, the faux-python vinyl tote above has done double duty for me as a basket liner and a carryall. I thought I’d post it today because people have asked me about it on the street and because I just found out that the gift-with-purchase offer that netted me the bag at a cosmetics counter last fall has come around again this week for spring.
Desperate times call for desperate measures, so when the thermometer plunged to a beastly 6 degrees F in New York City last week, I liberated these gargantuan Swedish gloves from the back of the coat closet. My husband had received them as a holiday gift a few years ago. He wore them exactly once on a frigid day, to the dog run, where his canine pals immediately mistook his hands for large plush toys. Channeling Chewbacca helped keep my hands cozy in the bike lane, but in the end these mitts turned out to be no better suited to cycling than to dog-walking. Dexterity for shifting gears or ringing a bike bell? Forget about it. And, they shed all over my brake hoods. Still the best fit: The road cycling gloves in last week’s post on must-have winter cycling accessories.
With 19 inches of heavy, wet snow recorded in Central Park on Thursday morning, I thought I’d continue with my theme of keeping warm and comfortable during winter cycling. I came across this excellent video on the basics of cold-weather commuting, recently posted by streetfilms. The 4-minute primer covers how to dress, what bike accessories you’ll need and how to ride safely. Those new to winter commuting may be surprised to learn that overheating tends to be a bigger problem than under-dressing, so layer accordingly.
photo: velojoy
In general, I follow the philosophy that regular clothes should suffice for city riding. After all, if cycling is an ordinary part of one’s day, then why should it require special apparel? However, when temperatures plummet, there’s no denying that the technical fibers used for road cycling gear can provide superior protection and comfort — especially to vulnerable extremities. In short, some cross-dressing may be in order.
So I thought I’d share the three “performance” pieces that I rely upon to block wind and lock in warmth during the winter months. The good news for New York City commuters: They come in basic black, so they coordinate with everything we own. Although the following aren’t the least expensive of their kind, I consider the fact that I’ve owned them for several years a testament to their durability and value. Read more…
photo: velojoy
Why ride a bicycle on New York City streets in the slushy aftermath of a blizzard? For starters, it feels great to get outdoors after hunkering down during the storm. Fewer riders mean the bike lanes (those unblocked by snow, at least) are relatively empty. Finally, cycling is an efficient way to travel around town as the city digs out. Here are eight quick tips to help you stay warm, dry and safe:
Read more about bike commuter safety here.
photos: velojoy
What always surprises me on waking to the aftermath of a blizzard in the city is the splendid hush that a deep blanket of snow imparts. Cars sidelined. Construction halted. Trucks? Only if they’ve got plows attached. This almost innocent absence of ambient sound belies the chaos that two feet of snow imposes on the urban transportation system. And yet, the quiet, mingled with the temporary primacy of pedestrians, makes it possible to contemplate, in a very real way, the potential pleasures of a city less burdened by motor vehicle congestion.
______________
And speaking of sustainable transportation, on Christmas Day I was lucky enough to be invited to a lovely open house at my friend Jamie’s apartment. How fun is the festively lit commuter bike that cast a warm and welcoming glow over her entry hall?
Warmest wishes to you and yours for happy holidays and a JOYous New Year! Thanks for reading along.
