An Urban Guide to Winter Cycling
Gruttz recently co-hosted a free winter cycling workshop for other Calgarians who aren't willing to park their bikes just because the going gets cold. The workshop focused on bicycle selection, maintenance and outfitting, winter cycling techniques, choosing a route and how to stay warm, dry and visible. The workshop, based on similar ones held in Ottawa, Toronto, Alaska an Wisconsin, will run annually and Gruttz hopes to offer more cycling workshops in the future. Gruttz is enthusiastic about riding to work because he enjoys the exercise, finds it easier to run a few errands on his way home, public transit would take longer and he wants to reduce his environmental impacts. Indeed, commuting by bike is a highly effective way to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, driving a car is typically a person's most polluting daily activity. But most people can hardly bear the short journey from the front door to the car on a chilly winter's day, let alone riding a bicycle all the way to work. Not so for Gruttz who says he feels sorry for "others in their tin overcoats who don't get to experience weather in all its forms." Gruttz says that cycling in the winter enables him to avert winter doldrums and experience the full range of climate Calgary has to offer. He's also learned how to avert the potential pitfalls of winter weather by employing some simple measures. Having ridden in temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius, Gruttz finds so long as he dresses properly and keeps moving he can avoid frostbite. In dealing with ice and snowy conditions, he chooses alternate routes and applies some extra technique. He primarily rides on residential roads finding them easier to contend with, less congested and faster. Along with layering on the mitts and socks, he equips his bike with studded tires and both low and high power lights. The low power lights allow cars to see him and the high power lights allow him to see where he's going - especially important since riding in the winter tends to be dark. Gruttz sites www.icebike.org for being a plethora of information online for winter cyclists. He's also quick to mention the City of Calgary's website, which lists off areas of the pathway that get cleared - approximately 20 per cent. As an avid cyclist, Gruttz is involved with numerous groups committed to the environment, alternative transportation and cycling advocacy. He's also been recognized by several organizations including his coveted 2003 Trail Blazer Award from Alberta TrailNet. Gruttz is blazing a trail that's becoming well travelled as cycling grows in popularity around the world. Just recently, the city of Seattle announced $32-million USD for the city's 10 year Bicycle Master Plan. Top tips from long-time cycle commuter Tim Davis:
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As Jeff Gruttz attaches his panniers and clips on his helmet, he says his bicycle is the best purchase he's ever made besides his home in St. Andrew's Heights. Gruttz, the Outdoor Recreation Coordinator for the City of Calgary, has been commuting to work year-round by way of his bicycle for 17 years.