~ Today! Wednesday, December 8th – FC Bikes Lunch Talk – 12pm - 1pm at Home State Bank on Mountain
Avenue. Join the City’s Bicycle
Coordinator as we discuss and strategize future FC Bikes activities and bicycle
priorities in Fort Collins. Contribute
to the vision of FC Bikes! Bring a brown bag lunch.
~ Wednesday, December 15th is the
fourth annual Winter Bike to Work Day!
– Includes 20 breakfast stations in
Fort Collins and over fifty business sponsors.
Check out the Winter Bike to Work Day map at http://fcgov.com/bicycling
Winter Riding Resources:
1) Check out priority snow
removal routes for cyclists: http://fcgov.com/weknowsnow
2) Report hazards such as
snow, ice, and debris in bike lanes and bike trails: http://fcgov.com/pothole
Top Ten Important Winter Cycling Tips:
- Be
careful of low angle sun during winter as cars may not be able to see you.
- Wear
bright, visible clothing and obey all road rules. Ride defensively
at all times and do not assume that vehicles see you.
- When
riding at night, ride with front and rear lights.
- Always
wear your helmet. You may need to change the sizing pads in your helmet or
remove them entirely to fit your winter headgear. Some hats are made
specifically to fit under helmets. Try taping over the vents in your
helmet if your head gets too cold.
- Take
extreme caution of slick train tracks during wet, winter weather. Slow
your speed and cross at a 90 degree angle (straight across).
- Wide
tires with widely separated knobs work best on snow. Studded tires improve
traction on ice. Use low pressure: start with 15-20 psi and experiment for
yourself.
- Try
to pedal smoothly and relax your upper body, especially on ice and soft
snow. When the bike starts going sideways, make small corrections rather
than over steering and weaving down the road.
- Cycling
generates a lot of heat so clothes that are warm and comfortable have to
control the buildup of heat and moisture as well as insulate and protect
from wind. If you can dress properly to go ski, you can dress to Winter
Bike!
- If
you're riding in a headwind or falling snow you'll find eye protection
very helpful.
- Store
your bicycle indoors to protect it from the elements. Plus, you'll find
that a warm saddle is more enjoyable to ride in the morning.
