A Ride in the Snow

I just read a CBC article about how Toronto might get 2-4cm of snow today. Accompanying the article is a pretty picture of a cyclist in the snow.

I often see such pictures when organizations write about snow in Toronto, and I always zoom in to see if it's me on the bike. During many a Toronto snow storm I've been one of the few cyclists out there. I've actually grown to enjoy a ride in the snow, making two key modifications to my daily ride.

1. I ride a different bike. When the snow fall, my single speed road bike gets locked in the basement for either my mountain bike or, if the plows haven't been out yet, or if the snow is actively falling, an old beater in the shed with snow tires. These snow tires on a bike have studs in them so I get traction.
2. I ride differently. This might seem obvious, but you don't ride Toronto streets and trails the same way in the snow as you do in dry conditions. You ride slower, particularly on turns, and you treat streetcar tracks like black ice. Perpendicular crossing only! This is one of the first lessons I taught my kids.

If you're a photographer and spot me riding during a snow storm, please snap a picture and share it with me.