Falling in love with winter

DATE 2008 01 19
SOURCE: The Edmonton Journal

Falling in love with winter; To really survive the season here, you must do more than just live through it.

EDMONTON - We in Edmonton are in the global minority when it comes to
weather, for better or worse. Only 35 per cent of the world
experiences  true winter, according to the Liveable Winter Cities Association.

While some may question just how liveable winter makes our city,
getting outdoors is unquestionably one of the best ways to make winter
more  than a season to simply be endured. Whether it's biking, running,
birdwatching or just walking outside, plenty of Edmontonians have
chosen to  embrace, rather than bemoan, winter.

Take Molly Turnbull, for example. An avid cyclist and environmentalist,
she shuns her family's car for much of the season, using her bike to
get to work, buy some groceries, even take her twin daughters to
kindergarten. She drives her car only once or twice a week.
"It's not for everybody, but it's easier than a lot of people
perceive," says Turnbull, past-president of the Edmonton Bicycle
Commuters'  Society.

Studded tires and proper outdoor gear keep her well-grounded and warm.
And getting outside improves her physical and mental well-being, she
says. Last year, she didn't bike in the winter. "I just felt terrible,
and this year I feel so much better."

Edmonton psychologist Cory Hrushka says getting outside in the winter
is beneficial for three reasons -- light, temperature and exercise.
Daylight helps counter the effects of SAD, or seasonal affective
disorder,  which can cause mild to severe depression in some people during
winter.  Exercise, both aerobic and anaerobic, has been shown to improve mood.
And cooler temperatures motivate us to be more active, though extreme
cold can lead to hibernation, he adds.

Aaron Birch, a mechanic at Red Bike, says he notices more people each
year taking up winter cycling. He rides to work all winter, a one-hour
commute in each direction. But with the right equipment and good route
planning, it's enjoyable and great exercise. Converting a bike for
winter use isn't very expensive, he adds.

The bicycle commuters' society offers free winter-cycling seminars,
including demonstrations of how to stud your own tires and modify your
bike.

Biking isn't the only way to enjoy the extremes of Edmonton's climate.
For those who prefer to stay closer to the snowy ground, there's
cross-country skiing, Nordic walking or outdoor running to make winter
more  enjoyable.

Sales of cross country ski equipment are "through the roof" this year
at Track 'n Trail, says manager Lars Backman.
"I think people want to go outside in the winter and make the most of
it," he says. "The winters are kind of long and dark up here and I
think  people do want to try and find a way to not hibernate and feel
depressed."

Nordic ice skates and Nordic walking are two other winter activities
gaining in popularity, he adds. For the former, a cross-country-style
ski  boot and binding are mounted onto a longer blade, while the heel moves
freely. The skates work well on rough surfaces like rivers and lakes,
explains Backman.

Nordic walkers use cross-country ski poles to push off and propel
themselves forward, increasing their pace and the intensity of the
exercise.

No special equipment is needed to walk or run outside all winter, other
than warm, layered clothing. The Running Room offers walking and
running groups twice a week from their various locations.
Beto Bustos, who leads groups from the 109th Street store, says he's
been running outside all winter ever since he moved here from Mexico
more  than 20 years ago. "I love the four seasons a lot. ... A couple of
weeks ago, all the trees were so white, you're on the trails and you
feel  like you're in a postcard."

If running, biking or skiing sound too intense, try winter
birdwatching. Gerald Romanchuk of the Edmonton Nature Club says he has
participated  in six Christmas bird counts around the region since mid-December. The
Edmonton event alone attracted about 400 birders.

The club hosts field trips all winter long, like walks in Whitemud
Creek and a snowy owl prowl in St. Albert. Winter birdwatchers get to
see a  number of birds that can't be found locally at other times of the
year, like colourful winter finches, snowy owls and great grey owls,
says  Romanchuk.

http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/story.html?id=1800663d-d8f0-4e56-8079-b3b5cd1a6ce4

[e-mail]
For more information: edmontonbikes.ca
(Edmonton Bicycle Commuters' Society)
ebc.fanweb.ca (Edmonton Nature Club)