Winter Blues

M7 at Night (near the Regatta Centre)

Keeping the weekly kilometer averages on your bike over winter can be difficult at times. Waking up early on a Sunday morning then jumping on a bike when the temperature hits below zero is more challenging than the ride itself, especially when you can smell pancakes and the warm maple syrup that the rest of the family is preparing for breakfast. Well, sometimes it is easier just to go and join them and eat those lovely warm pancakes. I had a similar choice to make last Sunday and chose the pancakes. However, there is a cycle story at the end of all this. Now as you may know from reading some of my other blogs, I ride several different bikes depending on what I feel like on the day. Typically, I would ride my Giant TCR along the length of the M7 as I have ridden this route countless times and it gets rather boring unless you are pushing the pace along and trying to beat your personal best. That said, it means that I rarely take my touring bike on the M7. However, I also hate changing a flat tire in the dark so when I do ride the M7, I tend to do so in the morning. This is where this week’s blog photo comes into the picture.


Killing the winter morning blues


The touring bike is a perfect choice for a late Sunday trundle in winter along the M7. The cold wind chill effect keeps a large percentage of riders off the track, especially at night, and the thicker Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires decrease the chance of a puncture.

I hit the Mp3 player and some classic Dio “Killing the Dragon” made for a very enjoyable 40km late night ride.

My MP3 Player, a neat little gadget really.

 I hope this inspires you to look at other ways to keep on the bike this winter. Ride well.