Gentle Adventure is a project that aims to encourage a beautiful, ethical and sustainable lifestyle.

Winter Cycling

Amir inspired me to start cycling to school every day. He cycled to work 40 kilometers a day and I was like that’s cool I wanna do that. So I started riding my bike to school every day and when the winter came, I just didn’t stop. That was a few years ago.

You do not need a lot of expensive equipment to be able to cycle in the winter, even this up North (we live in Southern Finland). The only special equipment I have is winter tires and a headlight and of those only the latter is mandatory. I have seen some people more equipped with very wide tires and goggles and sporty outfits, but also local elder folk sliding down icy hills on old utility bikes with summer tires, shopping bags swinging on the handlebars, never falling over or even slowing down. I do not know how they do it but they still do. I ride slower during the winter, and walk my bike down the iciest hills.

You might think that winter cycling is really fucking cold, but it’s actually pretty warm, as exercise makes you feel warm. I remember when I was a kid and had to ski for hours in the woods (I’m not kidding, I remember wanting to stay inside and read but being told to go outside and ski on multiple occasions) and feeling very sweaty and having to take my coat off. Bicycling during the winter is the same, halfway through the trip I end up taking some of my clothes off. I don’t own any special cycling clothes but wear what I would if I walked or took the bus.

My point here is not that everyone should bike through ice and snow for hours every day, but that it’s very possible, and doesn’t require a lot of fancy equipment. The views can be pretty magical, and when the weather gets really bad, it can make you feel like a strong arctic adventurer to cycle through it.

Daniel

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