Once you get comfortable and confident enough, it can be easy to forget that biking is still a dangerous hobby. As with skiing, losing control can quickly result in serious injury or even death. This risk typically stems from a common combination of high speeds and sudden stops.
The average cyclist can travel anywhere from 14 to 18 miles per hour while on a bicycle. A sudden stop at these speeds can be incredibly harmful. The good news is that you can avoid many of these hazards if you know what to watch out for. Read on to learn more about the most common hazards to avoid on your bicycle.
Wet Roads
Wet roads can be a serious slipping hazard. Roads are more slick than usual, but water can also puddle at any dips in the trail or road. These small pools of water can catch your tire when you bike through them, affecting your balance. If you travel too quickly, this impact can cause you to take a nasty tumble.
Sudden Changes in Terrain
Sudden changes in terrain can be tricky to navigate. For example, I was once biking down a dried creek bed that was steep and filled with rocks. I made it all the way down the creek bed with no problem, just to take a spill at the very bottom.
Why? The terrain switched abruptly from hard-packed dirt to loose gravel. Most experienced bikers know that you need to handle different terrains differently. You don’t bike the same way on gravel as you do on asphalt or dirt. Failing to notice the terrain changes or adjust your pace can result in a fall.
Potholes
Potholes are the bane of bikers everywhere. If you don’t manage to avoid them and are biking too fast, they will catch your front wheel and send you flying over the handlebars. It can be easy to see how this incident might result in some gnarly injuries.
Blind Corners
Biking around blind corners is risky, especially if you’re moving at high speeds. You are completely unaware of the terrain you are about to encounter and could very well collide with another biker. Luckily, adhering to a few safety tips for fast cornering can help you manage difficult routes.
Watch out for these nasty hazards to avoid on your bicycle, and have a fun and safe ride!
Image credit: file # Male cyclist riding bicycle outdoors, closeup By Pixel-Shot