User:OnBeyondZebrax/sandbox/Cold-weather biking

Cold-weather biking is the use of a bicycle during months when roads and paths are covered with ice, slush and snow. Cold weather bikers face a number of challenges. They may face "[s]now, slush, salt, and sand", which can cause rust and damage to metal bike components. Slush and ice can jam derailleurs. Some cyclists may bike differently in winter, by "...slow[ing] down on turns and brak[ing] gradually" in icy conditions. Gaining traction on snow and ice-covered roads can be difficult. Winter bikers may use bikes with front and rear fenders, metal studded winter tires and flashing LED lights. Winter bikers may wear layers of warm clothes and "ea[r], face, and han[d]" coverings may be used. Specialized winter bikes called fatbikes, which have wide, over-sized tires that are typically inflated with low pressure, are used in winter bike competitions.

Terminology
Cold-weather biking is also called "winter cycling", "winter biking", "snow biking" or "ice biking." "Ice biking" often refers to biking that takes place on ice-covered lakes and rivers.

Choice of bike
Winter bikers may use a cheaper bike for winter biking, because "[s]now, slush, salt, and sand" cause rust and damage to metal components. The Ottawa Bicycle Lanes Project states that bikes used in winter will be "...bombarded by the road salt", which can cause rusting; as such, some cyclists ride a used bicycle or an inexpensive bike. The Ottawa Bicycle Lanes Project states that winter bikers may use a different bicycle than they use during the summer months, such as a used or less expensive bike, because a bike used in winter will get rusty. CBC news states that winter bikers may choose to not use multi-speed bikes with derailleurs: "[a] single-speed bike...means fewer moving parts and it's less likely to freeze up" in icy conditions. According to the Ottawa Bicycle Lanes Project, bikes with an internal gear hub, in which all the gears are enclosed in a case (as opposed to being exposed to the elements) will "kee[p] gears clean and ice/salt free".

Approach to riding
Because slush and ice can jam derailleurs, some winter bikers use the "...same low gear all winter", even if they have a multi-speed bike. The Ottawa Bicycle Lanes Project states that cyclists biking in winter "...slow down on turns and brake gradually" in icy conditions.

The Ottawa Bicycle Lanes Project advocates vehicular cycling techniques for winter biking, including taking control of the lane when appropriate: "Roads tend to be a bit narrower due to snow banks. Ride in the middle lane when necessary, which will prevent motorists from passing you too closely."

The Ottawa Bicycle Lanes Project states that some winter cyclists choose not to bike on "...very cold, icy or a snow storm" days, and take a bus or other commuting method.

According to the Ottawa Bicycle Lanes Project, some winter cyclists avoid major roads and use "...low/slow traffic streets and winter maintained pathways."

Maintenance
When winter biking, some cyclists regularly lubricate the chain with a wet lubricant. The Ottawa Bicycle Lanes Project states that winter cyclists use a "thickish lube" on their chain and derailleurs. The Ottawa Bicycle Lanes Project states that some winter bikers wash off their bike, to get grime and salt off the components. Some car washes and indoor parking garages have high-pressure hoses that can be used.

Accessories
Gaining traction on snow and ice-covered roads can be difficult. In mild winter weather, cyclists "...use low-pressure knobby tires on both the front and rear wheels." During "...severe conditions, winter tires with hardened steel spikes" can be used to increase traction and provide "...better control."

The Ottawa Bicycle Lanes Project states that some cyclists use front and rear fenders for winter biking. For winter biking, fenders that are fitted with some space between the wheel and the fender are used by some cyclists. According to the Mountain Equipment Co-op, close-fitted fenders can clog up with snow. The Ottawa Bicycle Lanes Project states that while fenders with space "...don’t accumulate snow buildup, ... [some] prefer tight fitting fenders."

The Ottawa Bicycle Lanes Project states that some winter cyclists use Schwalbe Studded Winter Marathon Tires

Visibility
During the winter, it is harder for drivers to see cyclists, so some bikers use flashing LED lights and "[b]right coloured garments" to increase their visibility on the road. One winter biker quoted by CBC news states that he "...double[s] the number of lights" on his bike during the darker winter periods.

Protection from the cold
A CTV article states that winter cyclists may dress in layers, and they may cover the "ears, face, and hands" using "neck warmers, balaclavas, and even ski goggles."

Off-road use
In December 2013, Maria Leijerstam completed the first successful pedal-powered ride across Antarctica to the South Pole on a customized recumbent trike.

Fatbikes
A fatbike is a bicycle with wide, over-sized tires, typically 3.8 in or larger and rims 2.6 in or wider, designed for low inflation to allow riding on soft unstable terrain such as snow. The name is a reference to the fatness of the tires used on the cycles. The wide tires can be used with inflation pressures as low as 5 psi (340 hPa) to allow for a smooth ride. Surly Bikes released the Pugsley frame, in 2005, and began producing Large Marge 65 mm rims and Endomorph 3.8-inch tires in 2006. The Pugsley frame, rim and tire offerings made fatbikes commercially available in local bike shops worldwide. Other early versions of the fatbike were normal mountain bikes equipped with SnowCat rims, created by Simon Rakower of All-Weather Sports in Fairbanks, Alaska in the early 1990s; or with multiple tires seated on two or three standard rims that had been welded or pinned together.

As the popularity of fatbikes has expanded, fatbike specific events (races, race series, tours, and festivals) have emerged. Examples include the annual Global Fatbike Summit (since 2012), the Fatbike Birkie race which is part of the Great Lakes Fatbike Series (2014-2015 season: 8 races held across 3 states),  the US Open Fatbike Beach Championships (inaugural, 2015), the USA Cycling Fat Bike National Championship (inaugural, 2015),  and the 45Nrth Fatbike Triple Crown race series.