Snow is good.
There I’ve said it.
Snow is good and this is one of the best winters we’ve had for a while with plenty of proper winter days; snow on the ground, biting wind and a big bright blue sky above.
I get real pleasure from riding in snow, especially if I’m officially “stuck at home”. Snow riding is different, it’s an opportunity we don’t get much of so I always try to make the most of it when it comes. Why waste time diggin out the car when you can be out there playing and learning. Snow riding is skill building, there’s a certain finesse to maintaining forward progress. A subtle game of balance to main traction and control front tyre drift. I like the wrapped up warm and still out, cheek burning as hail bites, painful thawing in the shower reality of it all.
But best of all when winter hits I like the idea of heading out for a week of skiing down big mountains, because this is what snow does best. The similarities are all there; balance, technique, speed, commitment, progression and the need to stop thinking and let your body relax and get on with the job.
I think I’m addicted to another mountain sport.
I know I’m addicted to mountains.
Couldn’t agree more. Whilst everyone else in the office was standing round the coffee machine regailing stories of treacherously slippery car journeys to work, I had a lovely warm smug feeling inside from the fact that I’d cycled in. I avoided all the roads (and less-than-competent drivers) and had a blast whilst getting my lungs and legs working.
Unfortunately, smug also comes with cold ears.
ntreid, one word : Buff
Dirt for rolling, snow for sliding.
Mrs Soulwood says: I have to agree with the comparisons made between mtbing and ski-ing. This is what I’ve told Mr Soulwood and drawn comparisons of downhill riding in sand to ski-ing. The only problem now is the cost of getting four of us out t’alps for ski-ing … snow riding is therefore very welcome this year. Besides, when you’re riding a Rocky Mountain Blizzard it must be taken out in the snow!
Why do non-riding folk think you are insane because you have ridden into work on your bike and arrived high from the experience? The rest of the folk are queuing by the coffee machine to experience their ‘high’ after arriving on four wheels.
I ride in, and I’m first at the coffee machine… Does that make me super-high? 🙂
I agree about the snow sports thing too. Not been out to play on any this year. Ah well. I’ll just have to make do with the snow on t’hills here then.
I may have to go again :o)