As I write, Toronto is covered in a mess of slush and has been for several days. Even the most indefatigable cyclists are having to find other ways to get where they’re going. Like everyone else at the end of February, cyclists are starting to look forward to spring. For one thing, the thought of riding in warmer temperatures is starting to seem more and more enticing. It’s always a great feeling to be out on your bike in shorts and a T-shirt. Especially the first few times you are able to do this in the spring.
And it’ll be a happy thing when a few rains have washed the salt from the streets. My bike has taken a beating this winter. It is covered in grime, salt, and grease; I’m looking forward to a warm day when I can thoroughly wash it. In fact, it needs a bit of a tune-up as well, but I would be too embarrassed to take it into the shop this dirty.
This winter in Toronto has been a little more wintry than usual. During the last few winters, we had almost no snow, but this year we have had quite a lot. And the snowfalls we’ve had haven’t immediately melted away--a common occurrence in recent years. While Toronto does not get the snow that surrounding areas typically get, or other parts of the country for that matter, we’ve had enough this winter that cycling has been an on-again, off-again activity. Before this year, I had grown accustomed to being able to ride more or less all winter. While I am happy to see some snow for a change, the cyclist in me is waiting for spring.
