volosong

I'm 69 this winter and it's my fourth in North Idaho. At the beginning of this winter, I sold my snow blower to a neighbor because I didn't use it since that first winter here. Found it was faster and simpler to just use a shovel to get the snow off the driveway and sidewalk. My driveway isn't terribly long, so it's no big effort to clear it.

mackgoo

No. I live in San Clemente.

Bob Ross

I haven't owned a car since 2012; I haven't lived in a residence that didn't have staff to clear sidewalks since 2004. And when I visit my parents, they live in the desert.
So no snow shoveling for me in ages. Which is as it should be...

KenCT

Snowblower with the shovel to clean up some small areas. I have 100' of sidewalk and a 100' driveway, first 20' on a steep pitch. Add the back patio plus I do the sidewalk for the next door neighbor. That is too much for me to do by shovel.

mirfi

I am 65, (numerous health issues), I love shoveling snow I guess because of my ADD/OCD.

I will shovel for hours and have no problem shoveling the entire street. Yeah, I'm that guy.

It's all about the shovel and how it works for you, I used to make 'Frankenstein' shovels. Swapping longer lightweight metal shafts and D handles to small plastic scoopers(?).

About 8 years ago I found a cheap grocery store model that I loved, but it was cheap and it broke. My wife found a store in Utah selling on eBay that had fifteen of them, she bought them all.

I have about 6 left, I keep them hidden in the attic. Like a miser's gold.

Going out to shovel now.

bikejrff

Nope, not anymore. Moved into over 55 community in March...they do all that stuff now. Gave my shovels to son.

AlmostTrick

My Hero!

I go through 2-3 shovels a year, usually grabbing the cheapest/lightest units I can find. I recently noticed my present favorite is starting to crack. I've never considered buying them in bulk, good idea! Much cheaper than motorized snow removing machines and gas... and a good workout to boot.

jaxgtr

Nope.....and I am glad I am not being in Florida.

oldwinger14

Prior to moving 3 years ago, my previous house has a fairly long driveway that went downhill to the garages. The slope wasn’t onerous but was certainly considered steep. It was much longer and steeper than the driveway in your photo. I never had any issues getting my Ariens snowblower going up/down the driveway, and in the Boston area we get some major snowfalls.

As far as I know, all snowblowers are self-propelled and have multiple speeds in forward and reverse. I almost always used the slowest forward speed and never had traction problems, even in snow higher than I care to remember.

GlennR

I just dug out a 14" snowfall on Monday. I did my house and my 82 year old neighbor's house.

All by hand.

oldwinger14

That’s your choice. I would opt for an easier solution. Stay healthy & safe!

GlennR

There's always the option to pay someone else.

I also cut my lawn, clean my house, do interior painting and oil changes on my cars. I also ride 5000 miles a year.

I guess if I had a 100' double wide driveway and a 2 car garage to store a snow plow I might reconsider.

I could also get a e-bike

We each do what works for us.

BEC111

I’m 72 and have to admit I haven’t shoveled snow, other than to dig out my car a few times, in almost 50 years. First, my teen aged step son did it in order to get driving lessons/privileges. Then I moved to NYC apartment buildings that had a staff for that. Now I live in a suburban condo where we contract for snow removal.

So for me, snow shoveling does require different muscles. It requires the ones that write a check.

Mountain Mitch

Do I snow shovel? Yeah, a little!


To the workshop

Raking the workshop roof

Gotta get a route to the hot tub!

vane171

I did bicycling and cross country skiing up to 30yr old (no official racing but at a pretty high level, did some 50-80km long distance cross country races (those open to public), then for twenty yrs not much of anything and when I picked up bicycling again @50+, I soon figured I might as well dismount and walk some more serious or longer hills. On longer hills, I do it the 'Indian way', walk a bit and ride a bit till my legs freeze up, then walk again... Mind you, I have 40x23 lightest gear. I figured it is pointless at this age to torture oneself since the training/health gains from such strenuous activity are pretty well none, mostly can only have negative effects. That said, sometimes when another bicylist is around, I feel ashamed and dig in and make it And feel quite healthy all around still at 63 but why push it.

I shovel snow and when it is a foot deep or more, I take breaks in between to look around and generally take it slower (my brother would take smoke breaks, I don't have that excuse ). I can see how snow shoveling is hazardous for many, as we all hear about it. It is the sudden heavy load, we all have memories how when young we handled it and try to go at it the same way still.

Phil_gretz

I shovel snow, as we have it here so infrequently in northern VA. I have a snowblower, but haven't fired it up in the last 4 years or so. I'd rather shovel. Like others here, I take breaks (or brakes) and make certain that my heart rate and breathing are within normal limits. I also don't dress my core too warmly, allowing my body to dump the heat I'm generating. Again, no lifting from the back, etc.

tkamd73 

Yes, and quite frequently lately, 6” of the stuff this evening. Then again I’m only 65.
Tim

OldsCOOL

8” with drifting and lake effect snow all day and tomorrow. I’m plowing snow, shovelling snow, brushing snow...

reverborama

One spring, after a particularly snowy winter that had 5 foot piles of snow next to my driveway, the wife and I did a bicycle tour on the eastern side of Switzerland hitting Germany, Austria, and Liechtenstein. After the cycling was done we spent a few days touring around including a day tour to Mount Titlis. Our bus was mostly full of tourists from Pakistan and India with a handful of Canadians. Long story short it takes 3 gondola rides to get to the highest spot but the last gondola was down for repairs. The second spot was pretty high up and it was snowing hard. The Pakistani and Indian folks were running around like crazy people with their tongues out and making little snowmen and generally enjoying themselves having never seen snow before. The Canadians, and us (Minnesotans) were, of course, bummed. The tour guide was all "Look! Snow! Isn't this the greatest?" and I'm like, "Dude, I had 5 feet of this in my yard last month." The Canadians were upset and complained enough that we got refunds!

Biker395 

Ah ... this is a better pix of what snow shoveling can be for me. Ugh. Good luck with that ...

Wanderer

My son gave me a Snow Joe shovel a couple weeks ago - it is an amazing shovel for $20. I will never be without one now!

Billy Bones

70 here and just came in from throwing snow for two hours.

As a near livelong and daily cyclist and general endurance yob, I feel like I have a realistic handle on "perceived effort" and pacing.

I'm not under the delusion that blokes like me don't fall dead every day. It goes with 70. Maybe that's ok.

Ok or not, I'm back out throwing snow in an hour..

JanMM

We got the largest snowfall in several years earlier this week and had the opportunity to snovel some show.
Reminded myself to bend at the knees. Kinda enjoyed it - a bit of stiffness in lower back a day or two later but no real discomfort. Worked pretty hard but no heavy breathing or fast heart rate that I could tell. Lots of snow but fairly fluffy.
Due to several days of cold weather and then the snow, haven't been on a bike for a week. Now that hurts!

bjjoondo 

Not this year we were sharing a house/garage with my brother and he has COPD badly so I volunteered to shovel the snow but we now live in a 2nd. story one bedroom apartment so the only shoveling I still do is to get the snow off of and out of our old Ford Rangers bed so I can get the bikes in it if I need to!

Squeeze

I finally found an older (2017) picture I've been meaning to find and post since this thread started.

Does anyone else have a matching bicycle and snow shovel?