Two bicycles per person...

In the States, we have two car families. You rarely see families existing with less than two cars. In England, you will find two bike cyclists. In the States, I never had more than one "active" bike. There was no need for one. The weather there gave you more than enough days in a row of dry weather to compensate for the occasional rain shower. On those rainy days, only the truly devoted went out riding and those of us who avoid getting wet at all costs, look at these people as if they might have a little water in their brain for displaying such crazy behavior. In England, it was pointed out to me from the beginning that if you did not ride in the rain, you would not spend much time on your bike. Group rides are not cancelled due to rain here. In fact, it does not even seem to diminish the ride numbers. I know this, not because I like to turn up for rides in the rain, but because I am a ride leader now and it always seems to rain on the weeks I am slated to lead.

The rainy season is upon us as we enter the month of October. On last week's ride I noticed people have started to get out their "winter" bikes. The faster, road bikes are being hung up and the second bikes are showing up for the group rides. Winter bikes are usually built on heavy, steel touring bike frames complete with mudguards. Last week, a guy asked if I would switch bikes with him at the tea stop. Continuing the laugh, I went over to his bike and moved it off the fence where it was leaning. I immediately noticed that the bike must have weighed at least 50 lbs! I think that if I could manage to ride such a heavy bike all winter, I would be much better for it in the spring.

Despite the weight, the winter bikes serve a great purpose. They protect all the money you sink into your good road bike. After nearly a year on the road in England, my one bike shows all the reasons why people have two bikes. The damp, wet conditions corroded my brake calipers and I am replacing my rear brake caliper for the SECOND time since I got here. My bottom bracket is being replaced after only a year and a half of riding. I have to use oil the consistency of molasses to protect my chain and cassette from rust. Our training wheels are complete with slime liners, a strip of plastic that acts as a barrier between your tyre and your tube to prevent punctures. We did this after suffering several punctures a week caused by the wet pavement and sharp stones. Our heavy duty tyres have so many cuts in them that they look like we rode them over a bed of nails (but the slime liners work!!). I even have a new set of mud guards for the winter riding (I have not put them on yet because I stand the thought of adding so much weight to my bike).

Up until now, I spent my energy trying to keep my bike as light as possible for the group rides. Now my time is spent waterproofing and trying to keep all the squeaks away. One of these days I am going to have a winter bike and it will probably weigh nearly 50 pounds too. But if I make it through winter without giving up, my OTHER light, road bike will make riding up hill a cinch!!