Winter riding:

* Ride a bike you don’t care about. Cold temperatures, grime, salt and road chemicals all quickly wear your bike’s drivetrain down.

* Protect your body parts farthest from your heart. People’s hands and feet suffer before anything else.

* Protect yourself from the wind. Wearing a windbreaker over a light fleece vest is ample clothing for a few miles.

* Use studded tires – the added traction helps while riding on ice.

* Take your time. After all, you are riding on ice. Stay relaxed and don’t oversteer.

* Wear a pair of sunglasses. This will both protect your eyes and prevent frigid air from blasting them. Cry during class, not before.

* Learn to enjoy the cold. It’s a long winter in Eau Claire.

Places to ride:
For those wanting to get a great workout, check these places out:

* Road rides: Eau Claire has some of the best riding in the Midwest. Head up the State Street hill and south of town and pedal until you are completely and utterly lost. Traffic is minimal and the shoulders are wide.

* Mountain rides: Sorry, you’re out of luck. The best place somewhat close is Levis Mound in Black River Falls. About an hour away on Interstate 94, it’s some of the best riding in the Midwest. The Twin Cities also hold many new and upcoming trails.