The Most Exciting Cycling Day of the Year
The Gregorian Calendar does not designate an official date for The Most Exciting Day of the Year because, historically, it tends to fall on a different day every year. In that way, it’s kind of like Easter — except it can’t be predicted by the phase of the moon. Some years, we don’t even know when it’s coming until a day or two in advance and, depending on where you live, it might occur well before or after it does in MY Town. In fact, people who live in some states and countries don’t even get to celebrate The Most Exciting Cycling Day of the Year at all. #SAD
As you’ve probably guessed already, the cycling holiday I’m referring to is the first significant snowfall of winter. It came to Minnesota a little earlier than normal this year, but TODAY is the big day. #EXCITEMENT
There is something adventurous about those first few pedal strokes onto a slippery white surface after many months of carefree cycling on pavement and gravel. With the right attitude (and the right clothing), a little cold air and frozen precipitation can be a welcome change of pace. #DANGER
A blanket of snow can change the landscape in just a couple of hours and, unlike a tornado or hurricane or wildfire, it does so without destroying the landscape. #BEAUTY: TWO DIFFERENT KINDS
Pretty cool, huh? Here’s another comparison from just up the hill:
At the time of publishing this load of amazing pictures, videos and wordery, we had only received about two inches of snow. Three more inches are predicted. I expect it will all be melted in the next few days though. Then I can go back to riding on cement, blacktop, and gravel until the REAL fun starts. That would be in December when the snow is ever-present, the temperatures rarely get above freezing, and the ice doesn’t thaw until March. #FOUR DISTINCT SEASONS #WHY AM I HASHTAGGING #I’M NOT EVEN ON TWITTER
gregblood
Hi. My name is Greg and I ride my bike a lot. That is to say, I ride my bike almost every day. I go on long rides and short rides. Sunny rides, cloudy rides, and rainy rides. I like commuting, errand-running, day-tripping, overnighting, and touring on my bike. I ride on city streets, highways, gravel, single track, and snow with equal enthusiasm. Sometimes I ride fast and sometimes I ride slow. I try to keep my feet on the pedals at stop lights and I do not dismount when I hop up on a curb. I have a roadie bike, a mountain bike and a touring bike. I try to accept any challenge a bike ride can throw at me without complaint. But I don't like bugs.
10 response to "The Most Exciting Cycling Day of the Year"
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How on earth can you have snow in October!!
That makes for a mighty long winter.
Alas I’ll never have an exciting day like that here with lots of snow, I’ll just have to be happy with sunshine and warm temperatures. Loved the ‘snow on eyebrows’ look.
Good that YOU in YOUR town love life better with challenging (cold, snowy) weather!! I would not be as happy with that and maybe that is one reason for me to not live in Minnesota ;’-0. NIce video of your slipping around on the new snow. Wordery is good too ;’-).
I always love it when the first snowfall happens before Halloween. Doesn’t happen very often here. By the way, riding on a slippery surface AND doing a video at the same time! Very impressive Storm Chaser Greg!
Twin Cities report nearly 8 inches of snow!
Great videos and before and after photos, though I prefer the before ones.
Biking in the snow and shooting a selfie video. Impressive is one word for it, alright. Others come to mind too though.
Like, “SUPERSMART?”
Wow! I’m beginning to believe that, like some big mountains, you create your own weather conditions.
PS: With the right attitude (and the right clothing)…. Is this the day you switch from your summer riding shorts to your winter riding shorts?
You’ve probably heard the famous phrase, “all good shorts-wearing streaks must come to an end.” Well, sadly, today was the day.
I saw on the news that you had some early white stuff up there today.