The Breakaway
While Australian roads don’t resemble the cobbles of the European lowlands, there is no shortage of cracks, road side debris, pot holes, grates and worst of all slippery tram lines, to navigate. Fortunately you can learn a few skills to deal with them.
The Leadout
I was watching a time-shifted copy of the 2014 Paris to Roubaix and kept hearing, care of Phil Ligget, what great bike handling skills Peter Sagan has. No doubt on the cobbles in French roads, you need them to stay out of trouble and in the race. That triggering me to think what bike handling skills should the average commuter or amateur have to deal with the hazards of the road.
The Peloton
| Skill | What to do |
|---|---|
| Pay Attention | The best obstacle on the road is the one you see and avoid. Steer smoothly, check behind you and indicate which direction you are moving. Its good etiquette to point out the obstacle you have seen to other behind you. |
| Float on | Just like the lyrics of the Modest Mouse song ‘Float on’, once you’ve identified an obstacle try to hover on your saddle, keeping the pedals level and your body weight towards the rear. You are then in good shape to negotiate what’s coming up ahead of you.e. |
| Go faster and apply power | This is exactly what the pros do on the cobbles, lower your gear, reduce your revs and apply power. This should enable you to ride over cracks and disintegrating road surface. |
| Be a shock absorber | ‘Float on’ the bike but let you knees and elbows bend with the impacts. This will hopefully stop pinch flats and buckled rims.. |
| Pull a small ‘wheelie’ | Just like the lyrics of the Modest Mouse song ‘Float on’, once you’ve identified an obstacle try to hover on your saddle, keeping the pedals level and your body weight towards the rear. You are then in good shape to negotiate what’s coming up ahead of you.e. |
| Jump, Jump, Jump | Respect to one hit wonders Kris-Kross. I have to admit I’ve never tried this, but I’ve seen the pros do it, particularly over branches and street furniture. The theory goes, bend down at the knees to compress your calves and thigh muscles. Do the ‘small wheelie’ but a fraction of second later uncurl your legs, causing you weigh to move upwards. This should lift the rear wheel off the ground and over the obstacle. Sounds hard and probably is. |