What are some safety tips for bike riding in the winter?

I’m a big time biker. In the summer I was biking about 20 miles a day, and when it started getting cold I stopped. I’m getting bored staying indoors all the time and I want to pick up biking again (even though there’s snow on the ground/sidewalks).

Snow isn’t as big of a concern as ice is, particularly packed ice underneath a layer of snow you can’t see. The only way to get traction on ice is a set of studded tires. If you think you want to become a year round cyclist, a set of studded tires might be a good investment if you live in an area that gets a good bit of snow every winter. If snow and ice in your area is a sporadic thing, just stay off the bike when it is icy. Another consideration to keep in mind is that you need to make sure you keep your bike very clean when you ride it in the winter, as road salt will eat your components, which could cause accidents on down the road.

Also, don’t forget to drink plenty of fluids while riding in the winter. Even though you aren’t sweating as much as in the middle of the summer, you can still dehydrate. Some claim that the electrolytes in sports drinks keep them from freezing as quickly as water, but I haven’t tested that myself. If that is the case, you might want to fill your bottles with sports drinks instead of plain water.

Also be sure to dress in layers, so if you get too hot, you can take something off. This will probably necessitate some sort of bag or basket on your bike. Fenders are also incredibly useful, both to keep salt and nastiness off of your bike, and to keep you cleaner and drier.

Be sure to always ride with your lights on in the winter, even in the daytime, as motorists certainly don’t expect there to be cyclists about. Don’t be afraid to get off and walk the bike if you are in a heavily trafficked area with a lot of snow and ice on the road. If you lose traction and fall in front of a car, it may not be able to stop, and if it loses traction, it may not be able to avoid you. Alertness is key.

Good luck!

Winter Biking in Minnesota (Sped Up 400%)

DVD Boating’s Top 60 Tips – Maintenance $37.94 DVD Boating’s Top 60 Tips – Maintenance Boating’s Top 60 Tips – MaintenanceProduced in association with BOATING MAGAZINE.Topics include winter lay-ups, spring start-ups, diesel and gas engine maintenance, refinishing, waxing, electronics, general boat maintenance and lots more. 45 min

DVD Top 60 Tips Maintenance $26.94 DVD Top 60 Tips Maintenance Top 60 Tips MaintenanceProduced in association with Boating Magazine, this program provides sixty great tips on boat maintenance including winter lay-ups, spring start-ups, diesel and gas engine, maintenance, refinishing, polishing, waxing and electronic maintenance. Subjects Covered Include: Winter Lay-ups, Spring Start-ups, Diesel & Gasoline Engine Maintenance, Refinishing Scratches, Polishing, Waxing, Safety Equipment Electronic Maintenance. Step-by-Step Lessons Include: Sub-Menu One: Removing Rust, Exhaust Stains, Removing Mildew, Repair Kits, Propellers, Preventing Mildew, Securing Screws, Electrical Connections, Spare Parts, Zincs, Grounding, Storage, Removing Streaks, Bilges, Waxing, Removing Haze, Removing Scratches, Trailer Rust, Storing Engines, Necessary Tools Sub-Menu Two: Top Side Leaks, Storing Lines, Zippers, Snaps, Sea Cocks, Lines, Batteries, Electrical Wiring, Bottoms, Draining Water, Bilge Blowers, Routine Maintenance, Head Maintenance, Water Tanks, Fuel Tanks, Cabin Storage Space, Cabin Items, Salon, State Rooms, Electronics, Hoses, Oil Changes Sub-Menu Three: Fuel Stabilizers, Prepare, Gear Lube, Prop Balance, Fuel Condensation, Fire Extinguishers, Battery Switches, Tires/Lugs, Wheel Bearings, Bearing Grease, Springs, Bearing Quick Check, Trailer Wiring, Trailer Rollers, Must Tips, Maintenance Delays, Depreciation, Little Things Count, Owners Manuals, Boating Magazine45 min.

EK Sticko Stickers Biking $1.89 EK Sticko Stickers are acid free and photo safe. Great for collecting, invitations, stationery, gift wrapping, parties, scrapbooking and much more! Use stickers in all your projects! Biking- This is a collection of 18 stickers that include all you need for biking. There are two bikes, gloves, water bottles, shirt and pants, helmets, a bike rack and road signs with Share the Road, Bike Route and a bike sign. They vary in size from approximately 5/8″ to 2.5″.

Winter Harvest Cookbook: $16.46 Anyone can include more local food in their diet at the peak of summer, but what do you do when the tomatoes are done and the first greens of spring are months away? The Winter Harvest Cookbook takes a seasonal approach to eating, even during the coldest months of the year. This fully updated and revised twentieth anniversary edition includes more than two hundred simple, mouth-watering recipes showcasing fresh produce from the winter garden or local market, rounded out by introductions to unfamiliar ingredients, shopping tips, menu suggestions, and resource lists. The author also invites us into her corner of the Pacific Northwest, with vignettes drawn from the region’s farming, gardening, and cooking. Tantalize your tastebuds with an incredible array of soups, salads, sides, sauces, entrées, and desserts such as: Roasted brussels sprouts with sweet potatoes and garlic Penne with arugula, kale, and goat cheese Salad of roasted golden beets with feta and hazelnut oil Pot roast with hazelnut barley With a greatly expanded array of vegetarian and vegan dishes, Winter Harvest Cookbook is a must-have for anyone who wants to enjoy fresh, local, and delicious food–any time of the year!

Carolyne Roehm’s Winter Notebook $17.5 This book offers tips on how to protect the garden during the cold months, how to whip up mouthwatering end of the year recipes, and how to decorate for the holidays simply and elegantly.

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