LETTER

 

Thanking Aylmer

 

I wish to express my appreciation to the citizens of Aylmer for their support this winter. For the first time, I winter-cycled to work, a distance of 11.5 km in each direction. I was limited by wanting to avoid Lucerne as it is too narrow, and I bike early in the morning in the dark.

My explorations into having the NCC maintain the Voyageurs bike path led to these replies: “We have no evidence there is an increase in winter cycling” and “with our limited resources, the Rideau Canal is our priority.”
Last summer, a breakthrough occurred in the form of Fat Bikes. I thought these were bikes that teenagers were riding for shock value, given their gigantic tires and clown-like appearance. My husband corrected me with, “Jessy, they float on snow!”

“Float” is strong. It takes significant effort to maneuver a fat bike through snow. But it goes. I cobbled together a series of connected segments that allowed me to avoid Lucerne from Parker right through until the Champlain Bridge.

My thanks to all who congratulated me on doing this. I appreciated comments like “Look at those wheels!” This was difficult.  With warmer temperatures, and as I remove outer layers, I can say to myself, “I did it. I cycled between Tunney’s Pasture and Aylmer all winter!”

 

My appreciation extends to the team at Pro Cycle Aylmer for their technical know-how and excellent service.  And a huge thanks to all the snow-mobilers. Without them, I would not have made it.

 

But no thanks to Mme Josée Lacasse, our city councillor, who never even acknowledged my enquiry into assistance for plowing trails in the winter.

 

Jessica Julius
Aylmer