This winter is just not letting up. Day after day of freezing cold, so cold that the screen is turning cold just as I type this.

It’s been a slog. Everywhere the snow is piling up, without any of the warmer days that normally melt some of the snow away, making it even harder to get around. Hard to park too. All the racks are buried.

Trying to keep thumbs from freezing… Pulling off you mitts just long enough to whip out your keys and unlock your bike before putting them back on, you know what I’m talking about…

“NO!” You answer. “Quit your complainypants crying for God’s sake, it’s WINTER! Get over it! Let’s DO something!“

You’re totally right.

I am organizing a Wellington West Winter Bike Day on Sunday, March 8 starting at 11 am, rain or shine. If you’ve been biking through the winter, come on out! If you haven’t yet, it’s the first day of daylight savings time, enjoy the day, come on out! Meet at the park where Somerset St. West and Wellington St. West join, in front of the West End Well.

We want to help promote local businesses by making the area more welcoming to bike shoppers. Trying to yank your bike out of a snowbank with 40 pounds of groceries is not fun. Bike paths are blocked. We want to help, by shoveling out some of the bike parking and clearing some of the routes. Shovels will be provided, but any extra will be appreciated.

Shoveling snow isn’t your thing?

No worry!

• Come on out for a ride, as we roll down Wellington West
• Park your bike in a newly cleared spot
• Pick up some groceries and do some shopping
• Go out for brunch
• It’s all about getting on your bike

The plan is to meet up between 10:30 and 11, then clear out some spots around that end of the Wellington, which should take about 15 minutes. Next, we’ll ride West along Wellington, making occasional stops along the way until we get to Wellington and Churchill some time around noon. Jeff Leiper, the city councillor, will also be attending.

I’m contacting the BIA and local businesses, hopefully they will be willing to pitch in one way or another to make the event more interesting.

Note: Don’t attempt to ride your bike while carrying a snow shovel in your hand! Fasten it securely to the frame of your bike. There will be at least one bike trailer (mine) there to carry equipment as we go, but bringing it to / from the event is up to you.

I’ll be updating this page with new details. Meanwhile, if you have any feedback, I’d love to hear it.