COLUMN: A warm winter has its benefits
Last Monday, I was awoken by the unfamiliar sound of a snowblower in the parking lot outside my apartment. This winter hasn’t been looking very much like winter at all. I tried to decide a reason for this. Is it the global warming I’ve heard all about to blame? Maybe it’s because 2012 is the year the world is supposed to end. One of my friends said he thinks the warm weather is because Aslan has returned to Narnia. Whatever the reason our Christmas wasn’t so white this year, we’re sort of stuck with it — at least we have been so far.
Usually, by this time of year, people have their snow gear well worn and broken in and have had their fair share of runs down the slopes. This year the resorts are barely even open. I even overheard someone mention they’ve thought about shutting down again.
Just last weekend the ORP organized a yurt trip to replace the avalanche awareness class because there was not enough snow to teach it. However warm it’s been, there are still ways to enjoy the outdoors — even if your classes have been planned around your ski days.
I’ve taken the abnormally warm weather and lack of snow as a good thing. Although it makes me slightly concerned about our global health, it means I can still comfortably commute via bicycle, which is one of my very favorite methods of transportation. It may sound tacky or lame, but biking around is a lot of fun for me, not to mention it’s faster than walking. It has a bit of a naturalist feel to it that I like. Knowing that with one of physics’ most simple designs and my own manpower I can cover an impressive amount of ground is rewarding.
Even with the snow earlier in the week, the roads have remained navigable so far and biking has continued as my main mode of transportation. As any college student knows, the cost of living coupled with tuition isn’t fun or easy. And for me, personally, the most frustrating of these expenses is gasoline. With the temperatures bearable and the roads dry, this warm weather has actually saved me money and allowed me to keep riding my new Mercier fixed-gear bike.
Now, as I sit here writing this, reflecting on how much I enjoy cycling, I’m checking the forecast for the next week and it looks like there will be snow. I can remember the first time last year that it snowed, I took off on my bike, thinking I was sticking it to Mother Nature. I was going to show her that I couldn’t be stopped.
However, that was at the end of spring, and there was very minimal snow. Since then, I’ve had a chance or two to improve my abilities at pedaling around without falling on the slippery sidewalks. I’ve even slid backwards while trying to come up 800 East when it was covered in a thin sheet of snow.
After this week, if it turns out to be as bad as the forecast makes it seem, I guess I’ll see how difficult riding in actual snowy conditions can be and whether or not it will encourage me to try other transportation options.
If snow is what you’ve been looking and hoping for, then congratulations. As for me, all I can do is enjoy the days I have left to zip through the cold air on my way to class as I mutter to myself, “Bring it on, Mother Nature.”
– dhsteiner26@gmail.comA warm winter has its benefits