by Jim Davies
Edmonton Journal, January 13, 1999
Cyclists who pedal their way around the icy, snow-covered Edmonton streetsinsist they're having a wheely good time.
Whether they're pedalling for pleasure or biking for bucks as a downtowncourier, several intrepid cyclists interviewed Tuesday said they have noqualms about tackling traffic in our wicked winter weather.
"I have a blast riding my mountain bike in the winter," saidJim Garrick, 27, an ice maintenance worker at Kinsmen Arena in south Edmontonand part-time student at the University of Alberta.
"I'm doing this to stay in shape for mountain biking in the summer,"said Garrick, who's been cycling regularly in the cold and snow.
"When the snow is packed down, it's no problem," he says.But when it's fresh snow, it's more difficult getting around.
"Your biggest worry is falling under a car or a bus. I've fallendown a few times, but I haven't had any close calls. And if you're dressedfor it, you don't get cold.
"You generate so much body heat, you have to unzip your jacket.The only thing that gets cold is my toes. I know I'm warmer than pedestrians.
"I think people in cars find it a mystery why someone would beriding a bike in this weather. But I enjoy it."
Garrick's cycling buddy, Karl MacPhee, who also works at the KinsmenArena, knows some people can't understand why others would cycle in thewinter.
"I like riding in the snow, even though you can't go fast whenit's fresh. The other night, it snowed all the way home from the universityto Castle Downs. I enjoyed it. It was just like Christmas."
Couriers who cycle for a paycheque aren't complaining about the snowand cold -- although they admit being bothered by some city motorists.
Gerry Johnston, 32, of Dominion Messenger, says, "It's a nice wayto make a living. I like it. You're outside all day and, even with theweather we've been getting, it's not that bad.
"When the snow is fresh, it's a real workout -- like riding uphillall the time.
"I slid into a car the other day. That knocked me on my butt. ButI wasn't hurt. I get cut off by cars all the time, but I think people aremore cautious in the winter, so they're watching out for you more thanthey do in the summer."
Nick Stauffer, 36, of ACS Express, is philosophical about winter.
"It's just like summer, only colder," he says. And with allthe snow on the ground, it's a little less painful when you fall.
"It's fun riding in winter. When it snows, the terrain keeps changing.Ice is a problem. Two wheels and ice don't mix.
"Most motorists -- probably 95 per cent of them -- give us theleeway we need. Rarely do I get honked at or sworn at, but there are alwayssome people in cars who are upset that you're on a bike on their street."
Lorien Partridge, 24, of Scamper Delivery Service, says this winter'ssnowfall is the worst he's had to bike in during the past three years.
"It's been crazy because of the snow. It's like riding a bike onthe beach. I had my first crash today (Tuesday), slipping on some blackice.
"But even with the snow, I move faster than the traffic. I brakefaster than cars and I can turn harder than cars in this slippery stuff.
"There are some people who don't realize we have the same rightto the road as cars."
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