Summer in Winter

    
As all of you East coasters have probably noticed by now, we have somehow skipped Spring to jump straight into Summer. Crazy!
Of course, this is not gonna last, next week we'll be down into the 10 degrees again. Yet, we've hit the 23 degrees, top record for a day in March!

So this weekend, we went out and as expected, all the fair weather cyclists were out and about, along with anyone fed up with winter coats, gloves, hats, scarves etc.

Some images.

Once past McGill University campus, onto Parc Avenue up to the Tam-Tams where a community of Montreal's drumming folks gather every Sunday morning.

On the East side of the road, the bike path, crowded with everything except cyclists.

My bicycle, getting some sun, enjoying the weather (Yeah, that's Po Campo bag right there along with a sucky Nantucket basket that I do not recommend).

Hubby's old love transportation bike.

 Drummers at it.

Then back to serious business...

Which means rounding off the day with nice sandwiches (forgot to take pictures) and lovely mango-lychee smoothies.

Who said you can't ride AND eat all at the same time?
With a basket, yes you can!

First "ride" of the year

  
Sunday was the first weekend with both sunshine and nice temperature. We we fortunate enough to have a beautiful bright day with up to 11 degrees.
We hopped onto our bikes and pedaled off to our first brunch of the season.

The so called "Réseau Blanc" or White Network was totally disgusting, full of litter, junk as well as all kinds of poo. On some sections, blocks of unmelted (and disgusting) snow blocked the way.

Solution? Well, on residential areas we took the street, and on busy roads, we rode shamelessly on the sidewalk. End of story.

Finally we got to L'Avenue around 9h30 which allowed us to beat the crazy 1h lineup that starts around 10h.
Once seated, tradition being what it is, we ordered the same old routine we've been having since forever.

Delicious oeufs bénédictines of course!

Freshly squeezed orange juice.

An entrée of fruits.

My oeufs bénédictines à la Bretonne.

My husband's oeufs bénédictines chorizo II. As you can see, this is how a roadie prepares for a hard upcoming season.

And then, after a two hours respite walking around to digest a bit, we finished off the orgy with some cupcakes and expresso.

What's not to love about cycling?

Winter

     

Now, now, now...
I don't *hate* winter, what makes you think that? I really don't. I could do without it of course, like most people, but while it lasts, I have learned to live with it.
I do not have any problem with winter cycling either, nor do I have have any problem with those who practice it. It's just not for me.

Why?
It's hard enough dealing with sucky slushy or icy sidewalks

Well, actually it looks like they might get salted a bit more this year...

In any case, the roads do go through this phase for a long while before becoming slushy, then "cleared".

 

And as for the so-called "white network" cleaning, there you go!

Some people are totally satisfied with that, I am not.

As I do not have the guts yet to cycle in the middle of the roads on big arteries (I do it just fine on secondary streets but they are too disgusting for my comfort level), I'll save my bike and pants from all that slush and wait for spring.
Unless we have a dry winter, in which case I'll reconsider...

It's official!

     
Bike season ended today... For me at least!!
First real snow of the season...



I am not a practitioner of winter biking. Given my skill level, equipment level and experience of winter urban traffic, I find it highly irresponsible to cycle in Montreal's conditions. People simple do not see you and expect you even less. And the amount of clothing and gear (regular winter gear, NOT cycling gear) makes it too unpleasant, hauling it around, for me.

Mind you, the *real* official closure of bike season was earlier this month (on the 1st or 15th?) and cars have already moved into bike lanes for parking. And the city does NOT clean out the lanes that matter, i.e. the protected ones. Ah yeah, we have a so called "white network" which is essentially bullshit: they kind of clean the main downtown path on de Maisonneuve Blvd. That's it.
All the on road "lanes" will host major snow banks in no time and if anyone needs a mud bath, you're very welcome to hang in the slushy side of the road where the snowplows accumulate all the shit.

Not for me. But, it reminds me that I need to get those skate blades sharpened and those skis farted... The Old Montreal rink opens on December 3rd!