This has been a difficult winter for riding. A few times, when I was climbing the Colchester Avenue Hill going into Burlington, I felt that I was pushing my physical and psychological limits, but I am a stubborn person, so I always made it to the top of the hill! I have not yet missed a day riding this winter. Luckily I have not fallen off my bike or fallen when walking on ice. On the coldest days my heated mittens and heated inner soles have really helped. Early in the season, three degrees would be something I faced with trepidation, but by February that kind of temperature was routine! When I first started riding all winter, about 40 years ago, I seldom saw anyone riding in the snow. Although I still don’t see many people during actual storms, there are many more year round riders. It is good to see them, and feel a sense of camaraderie!
I got a taste for winter challenges during the first significant snowfall of the season. It was on a Monday evening and I was on my way to the Family Room where I help out with a support group for families with children on the autism spectrum. I was riding my fat bike with studded tires. I turned from Riverside Avenue to North Winooski Avenue and discovered that I had a flat tire! Flats seldom happen in the snow, I guess I was just unlucky! It was about a 15 minute walk from where I discovered the flat to the Family Room on Allen Street. I pushed my bike through the deepening snow and although I was later than I wanted to be I was still able to participate that evening. After reading with the children, I tried to pump up my tire, to no avail. I locked my bike in the Family Room and accepted a ride home with one of the moms in the support group. I was grateful for her kindness and we got to know each other a bit better on the ride.
The next morning I decided to take the bus into Burlington. I had an 8AM swim class at the YMCA. I attached my bike helmet to the waist strap of my backpack. I thought I left plenty of time to catch the bus but it was running late. I considered getting an Uber but that would have taken just as long as waiting for the next bus. Finally the Riverside Avenue Bus came and I hopped on. When we got to Burlington I rushed to get off the bus and left my helmet behind! I got to the lesson on time and only afterwards did I realize that my helmet was missing.
I walked to work and told my friend J about my disasters. As luck would have it, J is close friends with the Director of Human Resources at Green Mountain Transit. J gave her friend a call and within half an hour the helmet had been recovered. It was a miracle! I had resigned myself to buying another helmet.
After work J drove me down to the GMT headquarters. She went in and chatted with her friend for a while. She felt she had to socialize a bit with this friend who had done me such a kindness. I had a coffee date with a friend at Kru that afternoon, and when J finished socializing and recovered the helmet she drove me back into town and I rushed to get to coffee with my friend. I made it just in the nick of time!
After coffee I walked from Kru on Church Street to the Family Room. I picked up my bike, walked it over to Old Spokes Home and got the flat fixed. Then I rode home. It was quite an adventure! It reminded me of how much I depend on the kindness of friends and strangers. When things go wrong, it can be upsetting, but things going wrong also open up new possibilities for learning and friendship.
About the Author: Peter Burns is a long-time bike enthusiast, and one of the original year-round bike riders in the greater Burlington area. In addition to writing about walking and biking, Peter teaches a variety of bike workshops. He also works at a group home for people with psychiatric disabilities, teaches classes for the Vermont Humanities Council, teaches swimming at the Burlington YMCA, and is a regular host of Storytelling VT. You can contact Peter at [email protected].