Photo: Liveleak capture
As eager most riders are to let loose in the first warm days of spring, this time of the year is probably one of the most treacherous. First of all, riding hard from the very first day is not at all a smart choice, especially for the riders that took a long break over the winter and most of the autumn.
The muscles "forget" how to do their job and even the brain tends to react more slowly. A progressive approach is a much more intelligent and safe way to return to shape gradually.
Moreover, despite the fact that the air temperature may seem perfect for a nice ride, the earth and the tarmac are still cold, and one's tires will need significantly more time until they reach the optimum temperature, if they ever do. This translates to less grip and increased chances of a wipeout in scenarios that seem perfectly safe during the summer.
In this case, we're dealing with the rider's lack of reaction approaching the slightly darker spot on the road. Such dark spots may indicate oil or other similar patches on the road, a wet portion of tarmac, a pothole or an area with crumbling asphalt.
Needless to say that avoiding riding on such patches is the smarter choice. Still, to avoid running on these patches, a rider has to continuously scout for them ahead and be ready to make adjustments to his line around the bend. And we all know that the joy of the first spring outings often overshadows our awareness...
Still, the chap was lucky enough to spill just after the cars in the opposite lane passed. Otherwise... Anyway, here's a cool reading on Seven Reasons Why We Crash in the Spring.
Moreover, despite the fact that the air temperature may seem perfect for a nice ride, the earth and the tarmac are still cold, and one's tires will need significantly more time until they reach the optimum temperature, if they ever do. This translates to less grip and increased chances of a wipeout in scenarios that seem perfectly safe during the summer.
Failing to spot the danger in the way
Many riders utterly ignore these facts and will head out for a ride on their favorite roads, but the day doesn't always end well for all of them. Coupling the reduced grip with the slightly rusty reflexes and adding failure to spot potentially dangerous zones is a sure recipe for a crash.In this case, we're dealing with the rider's lack of reaction approaching the slightly darker spot on the road. Such dark spots may indicate oil or other similar patches on the road, a wet portion of tarmac, a pothole or an area with crumbling asphalt.
Needless to say that avoiding riding on such patches is the smarter choice. Still, to avoid running on these patches, a rider has to continuously scout for them ahead and be ready to make adjustments to his line around the bend. And we all know that the joy of the first spring outings often overshadows our awareness...
Still, the chap was lucky enough to spill just after the cars in the opposite lane passed. Otherwise... Anyway, here's a cool reading on Seven Reasons Why We Crash in the Spring.
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