Biking Through a Boston Winter

I am happy to know that I have biked every day since returning to Boston. January can be a depressing month because I don’t like being cooped up inside. I need to be outside and I need to be active. I feel so lucky that there has not been any snow this winter, because the bike lanes in Boston are clear! Biking is the best way for me to get outside during the winter, and it reminds me during the dark and dreary months that life is still awesome and exciting.

Without snow, I am learning that the cold presents its own unique set of challenges. My ride over the Mass Ave bridge in single digit temperatures this week was not one of my favorite experiences. Wearing ear muffs, a beanie, and my hood meant that I couldn’t fit my helmet on. My wool gloves proved to be fallible. Over the bridge, I had to alternate holding the handle bar with one hand, and breathing warm air on the fingers of the other hand. The wind was threatening, especially being over a river in freezing temperatures. My hood gave me tunnel vision, and my scarf tightened all of my zipped up jackets, which disabled me from being able to turn my head. So in making my way back to my dorm I had to switch lanes and make turns all while hoping no cars were in my way.

But a rose follows the thorn. I felt so much nostalgia biking down Longwood Ave. This street has a clearly defined bike lane on one lane, and the other lane has visual reminders that bikes can use the entire lane. The rolling hills make for an easy commute. I remember commuting between my old apartment and school via the Longwood Ave bike lane, and it was always my favorite part of the ride. I’m not the only one though. A typical weekday at 7:30 am on Longwood Ave looks like a monthly Critical Mass bike ride. So many bike commuters swell Longwood Ave on their way to the Longwood Medical Area. It’s really quite inspiring – what would rush hour traffic look like entirely on bikes?

Anyway, I don’t see any reason to stop biking in the winter. I can bulk up in layers, learn from mistakes, and wish for a snowless winter. I wouldn’t mind a no-snow one bit. Hopefully I haven’t jinxed myself.