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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
mgold@thejournal.canwest.com For more information: edmontonbikes.ca (Edmonton Bicycle Commuters' Society) ebc.fanweb.ca (Edmonton Nature Club)
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