I had a couple of nasty slips this morning - luckily they probably looked more comic than anything else, but they got me a bit nervous. I was thinking about how you should cycle when it starts getting wet and slippery - which could be about half the year in London. So here are my immediate thoughts - do feel free to add more and I'll come back to this subject:
- Ride more slowly. In a way that's all you need to know! But I guess there are a few more ...
- Your brakes will not be as responsive - so allow longer to stop
- Be extra cautious when in traffic. Cars have a habit of not seeing as well when there's water on their windscreeens
- Wear more reflective gear and put on your lights, front and rear, even if the visibility seems reasonable - chances are it will get darker or if the rain gets harder it will be worth it
- Be extra careful when turning - go slowly
- Watch out especially for turning on metal or wood - both can be incredibly slippery (tip - the section of decking at Camden Lock where you have to go to get on and off the Regent's Canal is a real killer - slippery as ... anything)
- If you're a bit of a swot, give your bike a good clean and dry with a cloth or some rag when you finally get to the dry. It's a pain, but will help your bike stay nice, prevent rust etc
- any other thoughts? There's a nice simple guide at the League of American Bicyclists
No comments:
Post a Comment