CYCLING PERFORMANCE TIPS
Road Conditions
There are a number of road conditions that are hazardous and should to be considered BEFORE
you first encounter them. A little practice when you find them will give you a great advantage
when you first encounter them on a group ride.
- Gravel - On approaching, sit back, shift to the next higher gear, grip the
bar top or brake lever hoods firmly, and steadily pedal through. The bigger gear slows your
cadence so you have a bit more control.
- Wet conditions
- Painted lines. They can be as slippery as ice when they are wet. Be wary entering
any corner in urban areas where there may be painted crosswalks or other road markings. Approach
them just like rail road tracks - slow down and try to cross them at a right angle with your bike upright.
- Wet metal. This includes manhole covers, plates, grates, metal bridge surfaces, etc.
Slow down and do your best to cross wet metal at a right angle with your bike upright.
- Leaves. Leaves generally aren't a problem when you're riding straight through them (except
for hidden dnagers like a coke can or a pothole). But if they are wet and in a corner, they
can be slippery. Same approach as a manhole cover or painted surfaces - cross directly (not
leaning into a turn) and with your bike upright.
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