If you’re reading this, that means spring has sprung and bike-fests like Pedalpalooza are just weeks away. As a lover of the Earth and all things fun, it is your ecological duty to pull your bike out of storage and get it tuned up. It’s time to ride. But come next next fall, you’re not going to put it back. Nope. This was the last winter that you were a fair weather rider. This year shall be a benchmark in your life, for you are going to become a year-round cyclist. Those people you see slogging it out in the bitter, unyielding rain that you laugh at and thank God aren’t you? You’re going to be them, and you’re going to fucking love it.
Look, I hate the term ‘commuter’. It sounds like a resignation of wage-slavery. Even the term ‘cyclist’ sounds pithy and elitist. You’re imagining yuppies covered in REI rain gear, admit it. That image of the Portland cycling commuter you just manifested always invokes a bit of eye-rolling, it’s okay. Thing is, those people are happier than pigs in mud. Think endorphins. Think liberation.
Cars are cages. Cars are coffins. You’ve heard this, you know it deep down, yet still you find excuses to drive. It’s cold, it’s wet. Who wants to be cold and wet? You do. It’s not that bad, even without any real rain gear, (I own like, none rain gear). Plus, you’re going to stay warm as long as you have layers and keep moving. And really, rain never hurt anyone – putting a dent in our climate crisis is going to make it worthwhile, I promise.