Here comes winter with its cold, icy streets. The upside? If you’re in the Chicago area you can race the annual Cranksgiving, where the checkpoints are all grocery stores and you’re required to purchase certain items. At the end of the race, all the food is donated.

The downside? Riding a bicycle in the winter snow is really no fun. I’ve always resorted to using one of my folding bikes, this way I’m low to the ground and can plant a foot in case of a skid. If you’re a mountain bike winter rider, these homemade snow tire chains might be the trick for you. I wouldn’t attempt this on a setup without disc brakes, though.