Winter is here for real. It bears repeating that appropriate clothing and especially footwear is key to enjoyable and safe walks. If it feels safe enough, let’s meet at the usual for the usual.
Here is updated reprise of an older post relating to safe winter walks.
Winter is here and with it slippery conditions. As we know from our walking friends, there is a real risk of injury as we are outside for a longer than usual time compared to many other people. Here are things to keep in mind to minimize the risk.
-Watch the weather forecast carefully, particularly for days where a freeze follows a warmer day
-Sidewalks at the end of driveways are especially prone to icy patches from the runoff
-Walk with a buddy
-Have your phone with you at all times (and health card!)
-Consider indoor walks (PATH, treadmill, Variety Village) when conditions outside are treacherous
-Anti-slip footwear is also a big help. There are a few choices and approaches:
Add-on chains/cleats, such as Yak-Traks. Pros are cheap, easy to find (Shoppers) and fairly effective. Cons is they can slip off and get lost, and not as accommodating when conditions go from snow and ice to bare asphalt.
Embedded anti-slip treads, such as Vibram’s Arctic Grip and Mark’s IceFX. These are more versatile for various surfaces, including wearable indoors, and provide some enhanced grippage, depending on the surface. However, this type of shoe can be more expensive and harder to find. For running shoes, Saucony seems the one to get (Peregrine Ice+ and model Razor models). Amazon seems to have a good selection.
Studded soles, such as IceBUGs. The most positive grip of any shoe I’ve tried. Downside is they are the hardest to find, can be pricey, the studs will wear off in time (so far so good though for me) if you walk on mixed conditions and not recommended to wear indoors on hard surface like tiles and terrazzo.
No perfect solution but with a mix of caution and the right gear, it can be safe to be out there.
Our own Tower Of Power, Helen, goes a bit more bionic this weekend. She and yours truly will miss this Saturday. The rest of the week is tbc. Hoping for a quick recovery and more of H on the trails asap.
Weekly Walks
After a bit of a cold spell, the weekend is warming up to just below the freezing mark.
This Saturday will be dry, cool and partly cloudy. For November, not bad.
Weekday Possibility
There is interest in a downtown walk to see the lights. It could end at The Well where they have cool (literally) café/bars where one could enjoy a hot toddy around a fireplace covered in a cozy blanket. Let’s chat about that when we gather at L@8.
Ruth has her birthday this Sunday! Have a great day!
ST Calendars Are Here!
The calendars have arrived and will be available on Saturday morning when we meet for our walk. If you haven’t paid yet, they are $20 each. Unfortunately there are no extras.
Weekly Walks
There is rain in the forecast, but not until the afternoon so we can sneak in a walk. The temperature will be above freezing. L@8 and don’t be late!
Happy birthday to David who celebrates on Monday! All the best!
Potluck Gathering Coming Soon
The gathering is on for Saturday November 8 at Arlene’s. Details should have reached you via email and are posted on WhatsApp. Speaking of which, if you are not on the latter, please consider doing so as emails can sometimes be spammed out. No specifics will be posted on the blog as it’s not on a “members only” platform.
If you have not received any information on the gathering, ask another walker to forward.
Lee Scott Event
Weekly Walks
Fall temperatures and colours will greet you Saturday morning for a welcome walk to work off those extra KitKat bars that somehow never made it into trick-or-treaters pillow cases.
Is it time to post our annual potluck get together yet? Yes, very soon! Arlene has reserved the party room for Saturday, November 8. Details forthcoming on WhatsApp.
From Helen
Okay, folks, it’s calendar time! And I need photos! Especially summer ones! Send ‘em my way in the largest format possible, please and thanks!
Weekly Walks
Saturday is looking good, much like the bunch pictured above. See you then.
If you fancy something different during a weekday evening, consider this from Deanna.
Rosetta McClain is going to have its Halloween decorations up for the 3rd year starting the week before Halloween. It’s an employee fundraiser for the United Way. We had talked about this last week in our walk to the park.
We are the Shore Things 