As the experience of the Nordic countries shows us, ride the bike on snow is perfectly possible if you take some precautions. Here you are our tips:
Brakes – the brakes must be used as little as possible. Locking the wheels can in fact lead to sliding on the ice and falling to the ground ruinously.
Manhole – all metal gratings on the road must be avoided. These surfaces are in fact subject to the formation of a fine and almost invisible ice that makes the wheels of the bike slide in a dangerous way.
Position – when the ground is covered with snow or ice it is preferable to maintain a position as vertical as possible on the bike. In order to have full control of the stability of the vehicle and of our person.
Tires – every winter you should equip the bike with suitable tires, with better grip, which can also grip on wet or slippery ground. The tessellated tires typical of mountain bikes can be the ideal solution. In addition, to further increase the grip it is possible to deflate the tires slightly or to secure the wheels of electrician clamps.
Mudguards – very useful for sheltering from splashes and dirty snow that is on the side of the road.
Fixed – this type of bicycle allows you to have total control on the pedaling and therefore can be the ideal solution on snow days.
Hands and Feet – keep hands and feet dry and warm during the days of snow or rain is essential to have control of your vehicle. On the market t here are numerous items of clothing specially designed for this type of situation. These are waterproof gloves, socks, shoes, trousers that are easy to wear and store in a bag when they are no longer needed.
Center of the Lane – the cyclist who occupies the center of the lane is clearly visible and does not risk slipping on grates, manholes or frozen puddles that are often found at the side of the road. So cycling as much as possible in the middle of the lane can prevent numerous accidents and falls.
Speed – maintaining a constant speed, avoiding sudden braking or drastic changes of pedaling, allows you to proceed in a more secure way even on snowy roads.
Maintenance – often when there is a heavy snowfall the roads are sprinkled with salt. This element, although very useful for traffic, is not a friend of the bicycle. The granules can in fact enter into and corrode the mechanical parts of the bike. The only solution is to keep your vehicle always clean. On the market there are also special invisible sprays that protect the frame from the corrosive effect of water, wind and snow.