Cycling is not just about enjoying the breeze and sunshine. Sometimes you may encounter sudden storms, out-of-control wild dogs, hypothermia, falling off the bike or even being stranded in a remote area. Are you ready for unpredictable road conditions and emergencies? This article will provide you with 10 common crises to deal with while riding, to help you stay calm and return home safely in any situation.
Table of contents
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What to do if a thunderstorm strikes? Essential Lightning Evasion Knowledge for Knights
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How should you land without getting hurt when you fall off your bike?
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Can you handle emergencies without a spare tire?
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How to overcome riding into the wind?
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Riding rules for urban survival
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How to deal with a barking mad dog
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What should I do if the chain breaks or the transmission is broken?
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A complete guide to dealing with seat cushion abrasions
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How to relieve numbness in hands after riding?
- How Bryton Cycling Computer Can Help You
What to do if a thunderstorm strikes? Essential Lightning Evasion Knowledge for Knights
Storms come and go quickly, and can bring fatal crises. If you hear thunder or see lightning while riding, be aware that a storm is approaching. At this time, you should quickly find shelter, such as under a bridge, in a building or in a low-lying area. Never stay on high ground, in an open field or under an isolated tree, as these places are most likely to be targeted by lightning. If you feel your hair standing up and your skin tingling, it means lightning is very likely about to strike you. You should immediately move away from the metal object and squat down, wrapping your arms around your knees to reduce your body area and minimize contact with the ground. The safest option is to avoid riding in a storm. If severe convective weather is forecast, be sure to check the weather before going out and choose a suitable time and route before setting off.
How to deal with and prevent a car crash
Flat tire and no spare?
A flat tire always comes unexpectedly, especially when you are riding alone. It is even more frightening if you don’t have a spare tire or repair tools. Provides several practical and wilderness survival emergency response methods. First, if there are weeds, newspapers, or rags on site, you can temporarily stuff them into the inner tube space to maintain the tire's shape, allowing you to ride back to the nearest supply point at a low speed. Second, if the tire deflates slowly, you can inflate it repeatedly, once every time you travel a certain distance, so that you can continue traveling for a short distance and at least stay away from dangerous areas. The third trick is smart deployment: move the still-inflated front wheel inner tube to the rear wheel, because the rear wheel has higher load-bearing and propulsion requirements, allowing you to travel a few more kilometers. Although these methods are not perfect, they can get you back safely when you are in a remote area and have no help.
How to overcome riding into the wind?
Riding against the wind is a knight's nightmare. It not only slows down the speed, but also quickly depletes the physical energy. At this point, the triathlon rest bar is not only the patent of triathletes, but also the secret weapon of all those who fight against wind resistance. Rest handlebars can help you lower your center of gravity when riding, change your body posture, and reduce the front windward side where air resistance is maximized, allowing you to move forward more efficiently. Whether you are challenging yourself to go around the island or doing daily training, the triathlon rest bar provides a significant energy-saving effect, allowing you to go from being "led by the wind" to "steadily crossing the wind".
Riding rules for urban survival
Cycling in the city is completely different from cycling in the suburbs. The density of cars, motorcycles and pedestrians is high, the road conditions change rapidly, and there are risks at every corner. The first step to safety is to make yourself visible. Instead of hugging the shoulder of the road, it is better to occupy the lane reasonably so that drivers can notice you more easily. The key to avoiding risks is to master the skills of stable and straight riding, check for oncoming vehicles before turning, avoid riding on the sidewalk when there is no dedicated lane, and avoid riding against the flow of traffic. In addition, never underestimate the importance of wearing a helmet. It is not a decoration, but a life-saving equipment. Even if you are wearing a helmet, you still need to drive as carefully as if you were not wearing one, so that you can truly drive safely.
How to deal with a barking mad dog
When riding in the countryside, you will often encounter very alert dogs, which will rush forward, bark and chase when they see a fast-moving rider. When faced with such an emergency, the best strategy is to remain strong and calm. You can yell to scare the dog away, or raise a kettle and pretend to splash water, or even spray water to make the dog back off. If the situation is serious, you can also place the bicycle across your body as an obstacle to protect your own safety. Advance preparations such as high-decibel speakers or pepper spray (legal for use) can serve as the final line of defense. Remember, running away will only stimulate the dog's hunting instinct. Only by responding calmly and negotiating positively can you escape safely.
What should I do if the chain breaks or the transmission is broken?
During a long ride or race, if the bike suddenly loses power, common causes are a chain that has fallen off or broken, or a transmission that has become stuck and unable to shift gears. At this time, carrying a set of small chain tools and spare chains is the basic equipment for every advanced knight. If the chain breaks but still has a complete length, you can reconnect the two ends and temporarily run in single-speed mode. If the rear derailleur eye is deformed due to impact, resulting in gear shifting disorder, the transmission can be removed, the axle can be inserted into the fixed place, force is applied to straighten the eye, and the temporary usable state can be restored. If the gear cable breaks, you can also manually adjust it to a certain speed for fixed riding to avoid complete stoppage. Knowing these troubleshooting tips can sometimes be the difference between getting home or calling a cab.
A complete guide to dealing with seat cushion abrasions
The discomfort in the crotch caused by long-term riding is a pain that many riders find difficult to talk about. In fact, seat cushion abrasion is not just a simple "butt pain", but an inflammation and infection caused by long-term friction between the skin and the cycling pants. The key to prevention is proper adjustment of the saddle angle and height, and the use of high-quality, padded cycling shorts. It is recommended to stand up and stretch, or change your sitting position every once in a while to avoid single pressure. If redness, swelling and pain occur, apply antibacterial ointment immediately, change into clean clothes and keep the area ventilated. If the condition is serious, you should stop riding and take a rest to avoid it developing into ulceration or folliculitis. Prevention is better than cure, don't let injuries ruin your training and journey.
How to relieve numbness in hands after riding?
Numbness or tingling in the hands is caused by prolonged compression of the nerves, especially when the riding posture is too forward or the handlebars are set improperly. To avoid this situation, it is recommended to raise the height of the handlebar so that the body's center of gravity is more evenly distributed between the seat and the pedals. You can also choose thickened gloves or shock-proof handlebar straps to reduce the direct impact on your palms and nerves. Remember to change the grip position frequently while riding. If you are riding a road bike, you can switch between the drop handlebars, gear shifting handles and flat handlebars to help blood circulation. Shaking your hands or stretching your wrists every few minutes is also a simple and effective way to prevent it. If numbness persists, you should see a doctor as soon as possible to avoid it becoming a symptom of chronic nerve compression.
How Bryton Cycling Computer Can Help You
When emergencies occur, a comprehensive GPS bike computer can be your most trusted partner. Bryton's navigation function can automatically plan the best return route when you deviate from the original path. Whether you are lost, take the wrong route, or want to change your plan temporarily, it can respond immediately. Advanced riding record and analysis functions also allow you to master the timing of refueling and riding intensity to avoid excessive physical overdraft. Combined with the Live Track function, you can ride with confidence, your friends and family can track you with peace of mind, and you can even adjust your itinerary in advance before the weather changes drastically. Bryton cycling computers allow you to handle any challenge with ease, go further and more safely.
The world is full of unknowns and variables, and what we can do is to prepare ourselves to face challenges before every setting out. From skills to tools to mentality, the rider's survival code is not meant to scare you, but to help you ride longer and happier. On your next trip, you might as well take this knowledge with you so that you can feel at ease and enjoy the journey.