Most people take winter's first real snowfall as a sign to hang up the bikes for the season.
But for those who either have no other means of transportation or a strong dedication to cycling, winter just means there are a few extra hurdles.
For Prince George newcomer Jesse Dill, a positive attitude is one of the most important requirements for riding his bike year round.
"You kind of have to take it as a bit of an adventure, because it's kind of frustrating," said Dill.
That frustration stems from a lack of options when you need to get where you're going in a hurry after a snowfall, said Dill, who recently moved to the North from Victoria and uses a bike as his main form of transportation.
"If you want to get to a place the quickest and have the least amount of slipping, you want to be one the main roads because they're plowed. But the most peaceful and beautiful rides are on local roads, which aren't always cleared," he said.
Cycling on unpaved streets is where the adventure comes into play though, when keeping to packed tire treads and staying upright on those two wheels becomes part of the process just as much as pedalling.
"I haven't had any falls, but you're going to have to get used to that possibility," Dill said.
Coming from a place where he was used to cycling year round with minimal disruption, Dill said having resources to provide advice on winter riding proved invaluable.
Although they stay quiet during the winter months, the Prince George Cycling Club was still one of those resources.
"It can be pretty dangerous," said club president Jillian Merrick. "You lose all the right-of-ways... and you find yourself driving in lanes with cars that have less stopping capabilities."
Although the club as a whole has not done any work on winter cycling, it's something Merrick said she would like to be able to do as a group, but that taking on that extra risk is a personal decision.
"A lot of people are scared to cycle in the summer as it stands," she said, adding she would recommend that anyone who wanted to begin winter cycling should already be familiar with summer-cycling basics.
These include balance and having a good understanding of cycling with vehicles around.
The British Columbia BikeSense manual and local cycling shops are also important tools.
Dill was advised to switch out his tires for winter wheels with studs.
"I would have tried without the winter tires and failed miserably," he said.
In addition to winter tires, lighting should be issue number one, said Aron Alexander, owner of Evolve, a bike, board and ski shop.
"People aren't programmed to see cyclists," Alexander said, noting it's bad enough in the spring but even more of an issue in the winter when the days are shorter and cycling commuters are riding in the dark.
In addition to high-visibility clothing, cyclists should also have a rear flashing red light and a front white light on their bike.
Alexander also recommended insulated, but breathable gear, similar to what one would wear cross-country skiing, but advised against trying to stuff a toque under a bike helmet.
"The more padding [under a helmet], the more likely you are to receive a concussion [in a crash]," he said.
The store owner also advises cyclists to spend more time keeping their bikes clean, as the additional water, salt and grit on the roads will be harder on the equipment.
Like any motorist, Dill said having clear roads would make cycling easier, but that he understands that there are constraints within the municipality that keep favourite, bike-friendly routes from being immediately viable.
"It's probably not the beset idea to go on the big rides right after a big dump [of snow]. The city's not able to clear it that fast," he said.
But despite the extra hurdles, Dill enjoys starting his day on his bike. "It's a good feeling to combine coffee and wind in your face."
