Carleton professors Root Gorelick and Derek Mueller were undeterred by the 20 centimetres of snow that fell on Ottawa on the evening of Nov. 26 and morning of Nov. 27.
Gorelick biked and canoed to work, and Mueller cross-country skied.
Gorelick described the commute as “a bit difficult” but went on to say that the roads were fine as he was biking down Riverside on the way to his 8:30 a.m. class.
He said the off-road bike paths were still snowed under and he had to drag his bike through, and then come back for his canoe. Gorelick usually hitches his canoe behind his bike, in a specially designed trailer.
Gorelick said despite the weather, his morning commute was pleasant.
“It’s so quiet when it snows,” he said, adding he enjoys sighting muskrats and beavers as he paddles.
He said he only had one minor mishap. As he was disembarking, the canoe slipped back into the river slightly and his foot broke through the river’s ice and drenched his foot. Gorelick said this was the least of his problems. He said his commute is difficult, but fun.
Mueller said his commute was also enjoyable, as he is an avid skier and skied into school on the side of the road and on through Brewer Park.
Once he arrived on campus, however, the roads were salted and plowed, so he continued on foot. Mueller normally bikes, but found the amount of snow made it too difficult.
“Alternate travel beats the car everyday,” Mueller said.
