During the process of conducting our recent twitter contests, we stumbled upon some freebies, contests and sweepstakes that we thought would appeal to just about any bike rider, cycling enthusiast or velo ambassador out there.

While these are only a handful of the many bike-related opportunities available at any given moment, we hope they will inspire you to keep the wheels turning and remain active in both your online and local cycling communities.

• This one’s for the ladies: did you know that there’s a bicycle designed specifically to meet the needs of female road cyclists? It’s called the Terry Symmetry bicycle, and it’s designed by Georgena Terry. Did you know that you can win one simply by entering your email address? Well, Terry Bicycles is offering the chance to do just that, here: http://wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/87701?ogn=website. The approximate retail value of prize is $1069.00 – $1,229.00. Contest ends February 22, 2011 @ 11:59 pm (EST).
• In Portland the folks at Bike Gallery bike shops are hosting the last of their four Free Flat Fix Fridays on January 28. Simply bring your flat tire to any of their six locations the Portland Metro area on the 28^th and they will install a new tube for no charge. As stated on their website, “‘We understand it takes a commitment to ride through the winter months, this is our way of saying thanks for being out there. And if you are a fair-weather cyclist who has hung up the bike for the winter, we want to help get you and your bike ready for the warmer spring weather.” We like the spirit and dedication, and applaud Bicycle Gallery for their efforts. Find more information at http://www.bikegallery.com/blog/2011/free-flat-fix-fridays/.
• Many bike riders double as skiers and snowboarders during when the snow starts falling.  If you’re one of those people who love the snow, be sure to enter Whistler Blackcomb’s Dream Ski Vacation contest … but only if you truly “Love Snow.” The perks on this one are unbelievable: Whistler Heli-Skiing adventure for two, 5 nights at The Fairmount Chateau Whistler, Lift Tickets for 4 days, travel, meals, equipment rentals, food and much more. To enter the contest visit http://wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/58442?ogn=website and follow the directions which are basically to “profess your love for snow by posting a comment and, if you can, a photo that demonstrates just how much you adore snow.” Contest ends February 28, 2011 @ 11:59 pm (PST).
• And then there are the bike riders who prefer to go down hills on two wheels (minus all the freezing and snow). Mountain Bikers – this one’s for you: The winner of the Flip Winter The Bird sweepstakes gets to choose their favorite hot weather destination and enjoy seven+ days of singletrack mountain biking and much more in Mexico, Guatemala, Chile, or Argentina – with a friend! Entering is easy here: http://wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/60805?ogn=website. Sweepstakes ends February 11, 2011 @ 11:59 pm (EST). If you win, you’ll choose one of the following:
  • Mountain Biking (MTB) + Yoga in Mexico
  • MTB + Mayan culture in Guatemala
  • MTB + surfing in Chile
  • MTB and whitewater rafting in Patagonia
• Street Smarts San Ramon Valley is hosting the seventh annual storybook poster contest where elementary school students get to compete to have their illustrations featured in a valley-wide storybook about traffic safety.  According to Eric Louie at the Contra Costa Times, “The story, ‘The Great Zoo Escape,’ has animals escaping from the zoo. Students must bring the animals to the school safely. Along the way they learn about pedestrian safety, bicycle safety and the benefits of walking or bicycling to school.  Ten illustrations will be selected. The book will be distributed to thousands of students in the San Ramon Valley. Each winner will get a bicycle safety kit, art kit, and a $40 Target gift card. The winning artwork and final storybook will be unveiled at the Street Smarts Storybook Poster Contest Awards Ceremony on March 10 in San Ramon.” As stated on their website, “The Street Smarts traffic safety storybook showcases the artistic talent that exists in the San Ramon Valley while fostering the learning of traffic safety principles.” Visit http://www.street-smarts.com/programs/poster_contest.htm for full Contest Rules and downloadable entry form. The deadline to enter is Feb. 7

Know of any other bike or helmet-related contests or freebies? We’d love to hear about them … so leave a comment below!

Photo courtesy of SafeKids.org

Many people, bike riders especially, dream of warm weather and blue skies during the cold, gloomy days of the winter season. Unless you’re sufficiently prepared to ride in the frightful-weather elements, going out for a spin can be more of a chore than a fun way to get some exercise. It can still be fun though if you have the right gear (we’ve offered some tips on this subject in our recent article, A Guide to Cold-Weather Bike Riding: Winter Cycling 101).

There is a flip-side to this however, as some cyclists don’t let cold temperatures deter them from hitting the road. On days where the sun decides to participate, we see people geared up, riding solo and in packs, undeterred from the cold.

Similarly, there are dedicated winter sports enthusiasts who embrace the cold and battle the elements for a taste of exhilaration and to get their adrenaline pumping.

Skiing, snowboarding, and ice hockey are just a few of the sports that we participate in during the winter months, and one thing they all have in common is the use of helmets.

As the folks over at SafeKids.org said, “Helmets are essential for many outdoor winter activities,” and we couldn’t agree more.

Here are some fast facts about the importance of wearing a helmet when participating in winter sports:

• “Always wear sport-specific, properly fitting safety gear when participating in winter sports … Kids should always wear helmets … (but) Parents should wear helmets too. Remember, your children learn safety habits by watching you.” (Winter Sports Safety, SafeKids.org)
• “If you play ice hockey, take a tip from the pros: don’t step out onto the ice without all the proper gear. This means padding and, most important, the right helmet. An ice-hockey helmet is the only kind you can wear — not a football helmet or a bike helmet.” (Winter Sports: Sledding Skiing, Snowboarding, Skating, KidsHealth.org)
• “The District of Columbia requires helmets for any person under age 16 while using roller skates, a skateboard, sled, coaster, toy vehicle, sidewalk bicycle, scooter, or any similar device. Massachusetts is considering legislation that would require children under 12 to wear a helmet during sledding, snowboarding, and ice-skating activities.” (Winter Sports Safety, Boy Scouts of America)
• “California and New Jersey seem close to mandating helmets for skiers and snowboarders younger than 18, and the National Ski Areas Association, an industry advocacy group, has said it supports such mandates provided parents and law enforcement agencies — and not the resorts themselves — are required to enforce the laws.” (Helmet regulations vary from resort to resort, but not by legislation, yet, The Reno Gazette-Journal) Mandates or not, it’s incredibly important to make sure you and your children’s heads are protected when skiing or snowboarding, and wearing a helmet is greatly encouraged.
• Insist on helmet use: “Wearing a helmet is the most important – and easiest – way to boost safety in winter sports.” (10 Winter Sports Safety Tips for Kids, Upper Peninsula Health Plan, UPHP.com)

Winter. It’s that dark(er) time of year when temperatures drop and people scurry about, shielding themselves from the rain, sleet and snow. Outdoor physical activity is down to a minimum (besides maybe jumping in puddles while donning rain boots) and – let’s be honest – lighting the fireplace and hunkering down is often how we spend down time.

There is, however, a portion of our society that take on the elements head first. No, we’re not talking about skiers or snowboarders (although they too surely are cold-weather warriors) … We’re talking about bike riders!

Some of them commute to work carrying briefcases and laptop bags while braving the cold. Others take joy in competing in cycling events while battling the rain and snow.

While December 21, 2010 marks the official first day of winter, there has been some bone-chilling weather over the last few weeks. So, in an effort to help get prepared for winter bicycling outings, here are some basic tenants for cold-weather bike riding:

1) Always wear a helmet. While this really goes without saying, it is just so important each and every time you ride a bike. The winter months can, and will, provide additional hazards: wet, slippery roads, less hours of sunlight, and less room for bikes on the road (due to snow banks or puddles). These are just a few of the added cautions to be aware of when riding during the winter, and shouldn’t deter anyone from taking their two-wheels to the street. Rather, they should shine some light on the necessity of wearing a helmet during every season.

2) Dress in layers to stay warm and be prepared to get wet! As detailed in the sketch below, there are a few necessary clothing items: 1) a water/wind proof jacket, pants and gloves, 2) warm socks, 3) waterproof boots or cycling shoes with neoprene booties. Having some sort of ventilation in your water proof jacket is important so that your skin can breathe as you crank and work up a sweat. In the case that you end up soaked, it’s good to have a change of clothes folded away in your bike pannier.

3) Make sure you have the appropriate winter gear: 1) Wear a helmet cover. 2) Sunglasses or goggles are great to keep your eyes protected from the extreme cold and rain or snow. 3) Wear reflective tape on your jacket. While many bike riders do this already to be better seen at night, cold days mean fogging mirrors and frosty windows in cars. Visibility is generally lower during the winter, which means that some sort of reflective tape is necessary. 4) A bell and a light. These are two things that any bike commuter should already have. 5)  Front and rear fenders. The absence of these means the rider will get continuous spray of watery slush as they pedal along. And if you forgot your change of clothes, then you might end up walking into work or school with a brown stripe up your back.

4) Be aware of the conditions. Unlike summer when the roads are dry and the weather is sweet, winter means wet, potentially slippery roads. 1) Test how slippery the road is. Quickly accelerate your back wheel to see if it grips or slips. While going slowly, try applying your back brake fully. This way you will get a feel for how much traction there is. 2) Brake carefully, and plan for it to take longer to stop. Be prepared to put a foot down on the pavement if necessary to help stop. In snowy and wet conditions, pump the brakes frequently to keep rims clear.

5) Find out more about bike safety and best practices for riding during the winter at the official website for the city of Toronto: Toronto.ca/cycling; the ultimate source for winter cycling: AllWeatherSports.com/winter; a website for everyday bicyclists: BicyclingLife.com; a top blog and online publication for product reviews and news in the outdoors world GearJunkie.com; and a website celebrating Earth-friendly foods and community living DeliciousEarth.wordpress.com.

Be sure to share your winter bicycling tips in the comments section below.

Image courtesy of Toronto.ca/cycling

With an unwavering cold snap tightening its grip on the nation, even the most dedicated of cyclists, skateboarders, in-line skaters and outdoor extreme sports enthusiasts can become inclined to stay indoors.

Rain, snow, and below freezing temperatures in many areas are threatening crops, causing deadly ice storms and delaying flights. But it’s not all bad in these frosty times – the cold weather is great for all the winter sports enthusiasts out there!

Skiing and snowboarding are two winter sports that get the most attention, but they’re not the only winter activities available for snow-lovers to partake in. There are many other exciting cold weather activities for people of all ages.

The winter months of December, January and February can also mean sledding, ice skating, and snowball fights. And how about winter bicycling?

Winter mountain biking has become an exhilarating way for the avid cyclist to push his or her limits and continue riding throughout the winter months. Biking.com suggests winterizing your bike with bigger tires for better traction in the snow.

Not quite ready to tread through the snow on tires? Snowshoes were thought to have been invented some 4,000 to 6,000 years ago, but only in the past few years have many American schools (mostly, but not exclusively in the Northeast) started offering snowshoe programs in their physical education classes to help combat obesity. Snowshoeing is also a preferred method of hiking to great powder for backcountry skiers and snowboarders. (Wikipedia)

Back in November we detailed The Necessity of Skiing & Snowboarding With a Helmet. Some other winter sports that require or suggest wearing a helmet include speed skating, ski jumping, bobsledding, snowmobiling, ice hockey, and luge.

In coastal areas where the elevation is too low to snow during the winter months, surfing is a big attraction for passionate surfers and spectators alike because of the large waves created by all the storms.

People flock to Half Moon Bay, CA, almost every winter to see daring professional surfers take on 20-50 foot waves at Mavericks – all for the chance to win $150,000! Also in the water, fisherman are in luck during the winter thanks to ice fishing and swimmers with guts can find enjoyment in ice swimming.

Still not satisfied? OK, well we’re officially out of ideas…But if you have one in mind – or if you have a favorite winter sport pastime – please feel free to share! All in all, no matter what hobby you decide to take on this winter, please stay safe and warm!

Source: Sun Valley Online photo of the day, courtesy of Jim Figge

There was more going on than just people eating turkey and giving thanks last week – there were also bike parks opening up, inductions taking place, bike-related studies being released and more! Check out this past week’s diverse roundup of bike news!

• November 23, 2009: Today’s electric bicycles use two energy sources: the rider’s pedaling and the electric motor. Electric bikes give beginning riders a boost (Robert Johnson, Columbia Daily Tribune)

• November 24, 2009: Bicycles that had been abandoned and collected throughout the city of Somerville were auctioned off on November 14 – raising almost $7,000! 150 bikes sold at city auction (Staff Writer, Boston.com)

• November 24, 2009: According to a study in the November 24 issue of Neurology, moderate to heavy physical activity, such as bicycling, is associated with a lower risk of stroke in elderly men. Exercise Linked to Lower Risk of Stroke in Elderly Men (Staff Writer, Modern Medicine)

• November 24, 2009: Triathletes can be prone to accidents, too. Triathletes, on Your Mark …Whoa! (Sean D. Hamill, The New York Times)

• November 25, 2009: As John Ruskin says, “There is no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes.” Winter: the other bicycling season (David Mark, Wicked Local)

• November 25, 2009: Fixcity.org, run by the Open Planning Project, is tapping the cycling community to identify prime locations for bike racks. Our Bike Racks, Ourselves: Crowdsourcing Two-Wheeled Parking (Angela Frucci, WIRED)

• November 25, 2009: In early November, the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame had its second induction ceremony in Davis, California, which is the new home of the sport’s Hall of Fame. U.S. Bicycle Hall of Fame induction ceremony video (James Raia, Examiner.com)

• November 26, 2009: This Bicycle iPod Speaker keeps the riders iPod safe while allowing them to listen to music. iPod Bicycle Speaker protects your iPod (Ally, Coolest Gadgets)

• November 27, 2009: A new study showed that the time children spent engaging in vigorous activity – such as bicycling – and their combined moderate activity-vigorous activity time had the strongest ties to waist circumference and fat mass. Kids Should Get Moving to Avoid Obesity (Anne Harding, ABC News)

• November 28, 2009: After 13 years, the Valmont Bike Park is finally ready for action. Interview: Valmont Bike Park’s Bobby Noyes and Pete Webber (Marty Caviano, Bike Radar)