Its expected to go up to 10C today (about 50F) which I find is the temperature threshold for outdoor biking, at least for me (yeah, I know, I’m a wuss). I brought my Gary Fisher Sugar 2 mountain bike up from the basement and pumped up the tires in anticipation of today’s first ride of the season. Riding a mountain bike with knobby tires on city streets used to be quite a chore and I didn’t realize just how inefficient it is until I rode with our intrepid New York correspondent, Mr. Dario, a couple of years ago on his last visit to Montreal. I struggled to keep up with him and he commented that my tires were really holding me back. I pooh-poohed the suggestion, preferring to take the blame myself for being in such poor shape. But he did get me thinking, and a few months later I had the bike shop install a pair of smooth “street” tires on the bike. What a difference. Not only is the ride more comfortable but I can go much faster. And if the ride is more comfortable and more fun….you got it….you tend to ride longer and get more exercise. If you ride a knobby-tired bike in the city, its worth the switch!