After a bunch of winter riding last week on snowy and salty roads, my gears and chain were all gunked up with dirt and salt. I finally got around to cleaning them last night so that I could bike to work today without worrying too much about damaging them.

I also bought a new bike helmet a while ago, because my old one was showing it's age (I bought it in 1998) but had been in good condition since I always treated it well and never had the occasion to need it (no falls on my head). The shell had begun to crack a little, so I figured it was time to get a new one.

Now, anyone who knows me (or has had occasion to hat shop with me) knows that I have an enormous head. Like, freakishly big, almost... okay... maybe not THAT big... but regular hats and helmets don't fit my noggin.

I eventually found a nice looking helmet that just fit me... but this morning I found out that when I'm wearing my very-cold-weather headgear (balaclava and wool hat), this new helmet does not fit.

So, I biked to work helmetless for the first time. I take a lot of sidestreets in the winter, as it's quieter and more peaceful, with less fighting with cars, and no slush and crap being sprayed by tires.

Not like helmets make a lot of difference anyways. Someone my age is over 20x more likely to suffer a head injury requiring hospitalization from being in a car during an accident than riding a bike.

Anyhow... I just went on a coffee run over to Tim Horton's, and it's BEAUTIFUL outside. While the WeatherNetwork is saying it's -8C (-18C with windchill), it feels warmer... maybe just below O... the ride home tonight is going to be great.

Labels: personal, safety

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3 Comment(s) so far:

Yeah! It's awesome out there.

I missed riding on the first 3 days of the week, but rode today. I had a dentist appointment in the morning, so my ride to work was after rush hour. Definitely noticed the lack of cars, even on the main streets that I normally ride.

I'm tempted to take the "long way" home tonight just for the hell of it.

By  Vic, at 2:05 PM  

Yeah, while I took sidestreets along the Danforth, I rode Yonge from Bloor to College because it was empty...very weird for 8 am in the morning.

I had a huge lunch, so I'm considering a long way home too.... I probably won't need dinner either. :)

By  Joe (BikingToronto), at 2:59 PM  

I ended up riding about 54km yesterday. 31 of that was after work - basically Square One to St. Clair and Yonge. That was the easy part with the tail wind...I was flying. Coming back to Etobicoke was was a bit more of a struggle into the cold wind. I was frozen by the time I got home....and very hungry.... I hardly had my shoes off before my head was stuck in the fridge.

I have also decided that I really like riding on St. Clair because of the rolling hills. Pavement sucks though.

By  Vic, at 7:20 AM