Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1999 20:49:52 -0500 (EST)
From: "Alistair E. Campbell"
Subject: Extreme ICEBIKING
This evening's ride was quite a test of my dedication to this little piece of insanity.
When I left campus, it was merely snowing hard. It was small and stung my eyes a little,
but it was manageable. I took mostly side streets to the grocery store. By the time I got
there, the weather was a little worse, so afterwards I decided to ride on residential
streets to avoid heavy traffic.
The wind picked up a bit and the snow got thicker. Visibility was starting to decrease,
so I pulled over a few times to let following cars pass. I briefly considered taking the
Metro rail part way (they allow bikes on the trains), but decided I'd rather ride.
Main street wasn't too bad. The blowing snow hit my eyes pretty hard, causing me to
blink rapidly. Main street is very wide, so cars had plenty of room to pass. It was
evident that my NiteRider tail light was quite visible, as I was always given plenty of
room.
However, soon it got steadily worse, both in wind speed, and rate of snowfall.
Visibility was about 50 feet and I could barely see, but I wasn't too cold yet. I pulled
off and rested briefly at a bus stop shelter. And then I realized I was in a full white
out. Visibility about 20 ft.
I seriously considered taking the Metro rail from there. Thought about it for a minute
or more. Then the wind died down a little, and I was only 3 miles from home, so I figured
I'd press on.
I figured wrong. (and there was no metro station between there and
home) The headwind picked up fiercely. Cars were *crawling*. A big semi-truck had just up
and pulled off to the side, waiting it out. I opted for the following strategy. I would
ride in the center of the lane, but the moment I saw headlights behind me, I'd pull over
and allow all the cars to pass. I did this about 15 times. It wasn't too bad, but slow
going. When I was moving, I averaged 8mph into the headwind. I guess cars were moving
about 15mph. We were all moving slower than usual.
So I decided to just ride, as close to the right hand side as practicable, and to watch
out for following traffic. Everyone was very courteous. One guy in a van even stopped to
ask me directions. I thought he was going to ask if I needed a ride. I would have
declined, of course. By this point, despite the numbing of my fingertips and the formation
of ice on my balaclava, it was a point of pride for me to make it home on my bicycle. At
least I was getting good traction on the packed snow.
A few minutes later, I saw a flash! I thought it was a street light burning out, but
then I heard thunder! Okay, I thought, so this really is a big storm! I saw lightning and
heard thunder twice more before I got home. I was cold and the snow really stung my eyes,
but my spirits weren't too bad. Nearly everyone passing me did a double take. I could
barely believe it myself. But there I was, riding a bicycle in extreme winter conditions
in Buffalo.
I seriously believe in bicycle transportation as an alternative to the private
automobile. Even in the cold and snow. But it's usually not this bad. Not even close.
I made it home, entered through the basement, and took a look at my bike, *caked* with
wet heavy snow. I had my new camera in my bag, so I took a picture of it. At some point
I'll put the photo on my web page.
I don't know if they'll call this the blizzard of '99, but if they do, I want a T-shirt
saying that I cycled in it. I was cold, and very happy to be home when I got there. Having
had enough, I decided not to return a rented video due that day. I can eat a late fee for
the luxury of throwing on some sweatpants, drinking a fine beer and letting the bike melt
in the kitchen while pizza rapidly thaws and crisps in my toaster oven.
==
Alistair Campbell
Buffalo, New York
Home of the Winter Cyclist