Ode to the Winter Cyclist

Yesterday's comments reminded me of this little essay on winter cycling from The History of Sports in Britain, 1880-1914, edited by Martin Polley (via the Bicycle Diaries). This is obviously not written by someone familiar with Winnipeg winters. Thick mud? But it's a good read nonetheless. When it says we are exactly what we are, might it mean that we are full of "boisterous health, cheerful good humour, and that ready give-and-take spirit of considerate cordiality so essential to the happiness of the home cicrle?" Maybe. At the very least, we are not butterflies.