| Riding a bicycle in the winter can be as much fun as | | | | Winter rides are no different. Winter riding will offer the |
| cycling in any other season. You just have to adapt to | | | | same exercise value and the scenery can be stunning |
| the conditions. It can be an awesome experience if | | | | especially after a new snowfall. But the euphoria you |
| you are properly prepared, or it can just be plain awful | | | | can get from riding in the winter will amaze you as it |
| if you fail to prepare. | | | | does most people. Perhaps it is the realization of doing |
| People enjoy many activities in the snow, downhill | | | | something most would consider insane or the fact that |
| skiing and snowmobiling for example. Both of these | | | | you are riding in subfreezing temperatures and having |
| activities would not be very pleasant if one failed to | | | | a blast doing it. |
| prepare. Take another outdoor activity enjoyed by | | | | Known as ice-riders, winter cycling enthusiasts are a |
| many in the winter, cross-country skiing. It is a | | | | fun bunch to be around. It takes some pretty rough |
| demanding sport physically just as cycling can be. One | | | | conditions to keep a seasoned ice-rider off the bike. |
| must prepare mentally and be properly equipped to | | | | Why do they do it? Ask anyone of them and the |
| make the commitment to ski off into the wilderness | | | | number one answer will always be "because it is fun". |
| for long durations at a time. | | | | Once done with a ride, the post-ride party with some |
| In cycling just as you prepare mentally for a 50 mile | | | | groups of ice-riders can also be described by many as |
| ride in 90 plus degrees in the middle of summer you | | | | "insane!". |
| would do likewise for a 10 degree ride in winter. For | | | | If you are interested in joining the ranks of an ice-rider |
| the summer ride you know that it is going to be long | | | | it is important to educate yourself first. Seek out |
| and grueling at times. You know what the proper gear | | | | expert advice from other ice-riders and other sources |
| to bring along is and you know what you will do in the | | | | of information regarding proper dress, equipment |
| event of a breakdown. You ride in the summer | | | | needs, and emergency actions. Once you have the |
| perhaps for the exercise, or just for the enjoyment of | | | | proper attitude that it can be fun and you are equipped |
| being outdoors enjoying beautiful scenery. With that | | | | to do so you will wonder why you have not been |
| comes a sense of joy, an emotional high. | | | | enjoying it all along. |