Winter is in full swing here in Pittsburgh, where Senge Graphics is located. We've seen some snow and ice over the past few days after having a mild winter so far. The weather has us thinking about riding in the snow! Keep reading for tips on taking your dirt bike out for a winter ride.

The first step to riding in the snow is to make sure you have the appropriate gear for the weather. You will want to wear your usual gear as well as some additional winter items. It would be helpful to start with a thermal shirt and pants, then layer your riding jersey and pants over top of that. Next, add a coat of your choice. It might be better to have a bigger size jacket so you have extra room for mobility when trying to maneuver your bike. Lastly, add your usual safety gear: chest protector, helmet, googles, gloves, and boots that come up over your ankle. You might also want to wear warm gloves and/or thick socks to stay warm. In the case that you are riding somewhere extremely cold (maybe somewhere further North, like Canada), you could also use hand warmers like these from Hot Hands.

Keep in mind that once your adrenaline starts kicking from riding your dirt bike, you might be warmer than when you started. It's a good idea to have a backpack with you to keep your clothing if you need to remove some layers.

Next, you will want to make sure your bike is ready to be ridden in the snow. Take into consideration that riding in the snow is more difficult than the usual dirt racetrack. Make sure you have good tires because you will need traction in the slippery snow. 

Another thing you might want to add is handguards (if you don't have them already). They will help keep the wind and snow off your hands to keep them warm. They also make hand guard covers for even more protection.

You'll also want to make sure you are prepared skill wise for riding in the snow. If you have never ridden in the snow before, make sure to take it slow and learn the ropes. It is easier to slide and can be harder to stop, especially if conditions are icy too. It is best to do a few slow test laps to get used to riding before settling in and having fun. 

It is also important to check the weather before going somewhere to ride. You will want to make sure there isn't a storm coming that could leave you stranded. It could also be very hard to see if the snow is coming down hard, especially in the dark. Make sure you take a flashlight with you if you are riding in the evening, as it gets darker earlier in the winter. It is helpful to have a bike with a headlight too.

As with any riding trip, let someone know where you are going if riding alone. It would be best to ride with a group. Take a cellphone with you and make sure you know where you are going in case you lose service. A lot of tracks or riding areas are rural and don't have great cell coverage.

If you're not a fan of the cold and snow, look for indoor tracks near you. One local to us would be Switchback in Butler, PA. They even let you rent it for private events!

If you've been thinking about riding your dirt bike in the winter, take these tips into consideration. Make sure to prepare yourself and your bike before adventuring out into the snow!