Hidden Cycling Dangers You Never Thought About

The roads are the same for everyone including the pedestrians, and car owners but they often present dangers exclusively to the cyclists. Being a legitimate road user, cyclists must be trained about the possibilities of road accidents from various elements that go unnoticed. Various road hazards can lead to accidents and they are especially dangerous for cyclists. Manholes or petrol spills can lead to nasty injuries.

Manhole covers are as slippery as ice

Some roads are bound to have manhole covers. However, the sad part is that manholes are always found in bend or turns which happens to be the path of cyclists. The problem is manhole covers are not meant for grip and traction rather they aim is to provide durability. However, over time, these covers get smooth.

This surface is a potential risk for cyclists who need road traction and grip. Many times, these surfaces go unnoticed before the damage is done. If the weather gets a little naughty, cyclists are further in trouble. The roads get wet and slippery due to rain and the manhole cover acts like a slab of ice.

Petrol makes roads traction free

Not only petrol, there are several other slippery elements on the road that cause a potential decline in road traction. However, it is a real hazard because diesel or oil spills get concealed on the road. Here again, the spills accumulate in places which tend to be the cycling zones. Plus, they are really hard to remove because they don’t evaporate naturally unless excavated.

This is the reason why cyclists have to be very careful around round-abouts, bends and other difficult places. It must be noted that cycling over spilled fuel is not the only concern for cyclists. Even after carefully maneuvering their way pass the spilled fuel, they run the risk of slipping while taking a turn due to the presence of residual fuel on their tire. Moreover, the braking systems are quite close to the road. If this region is coated in fuel, the braking efficiency is hampered.

Steer clear of these concealed dangers on road and your cycling and, this calls for presence of mind. Make sure your eyes are on the road while your hands are on the handle.

Team Pursuit Cycling – Battle of Tetrads

 Cycling is not all about individual glory. There is one type of cycling where the teams have to compete against each other. The winning team is the one that completes the distance of more than 4000 m in minimal time. Each team comprises of four cyclists who will start the race on opposite sides of the track and try to set their fastest time on the track. This explains why it is an endurance event. Team pursuit is an intense team sport to test the skills of cyclists.

 Cycling is not all about individual glory. There is one type of cycling where the teams have to compete against each other. The winning team is the one that completes the distance of more than 4000 m in minimal time. Each team comprises of four cyclists who will start the race on opposite sides of the track and try to set their fastest time on the track. This explains why it is an endurance event. Team pursuit is an intense team sport to test the skills of cyclists.

The object of team pursuit
Team pursuit cycling requires clockwork precision and high speed. The time taken by the team to cover the overall distance is measured when the third rider completes the lap. It’s a bit of challenge for the cyclists in a team pursuit to follow each other while maintaining a distance of a few centimeters. Following the wheel ahead of you is a vital skill needed by riders in endurance cycling. Obviously, this requires a lot of cycling training for developing endurance and precision.
Back in 1997, a rider from Ukrainian team touched the wheel of the forerunner and this changed the whole shape of the event. Hence team pursuit is not just about endurance but also teaches precision. Once the cyclists fall, it’s very difficult to continue. Therefore, the cyclists have to be careful in preventing the fall because this will take them way back in race.

Team pursuit cycling
The riders take turns to lead the lap or half a lap while other team members follow him closely. For the other laps, cyclists switch positions. The finishing time of a team pursuit is recorded when the third player crosses the line. This means that even if the team loses one player in a fall or if he falls behind, the team can still have a chance of winning.
However, that is something to be considered near the end of the race. Before that, the teams must reach the speeds close to 60m/h. the members are also expected to have excellent team skills during the ride. The best teams in this case are the ones that can successfully maintain a distance of a few centimeters between the wheels.
Once the concentration of any of the player gets diverted, there is a chance of a high-speed pile up on the track and then it’s the end of story for that team. 
Team pursuit cycling requires clockwork precision and high speed. The time taken by the team to cover the overall distance is measured when the third rider completes the lap. It’s a bit of challenge for the cyclists in a team pursuit to follow each other while maintaining a distance of a few centimeters. Following the wheel ahead of you is a vital skill needed by riders in endurance cycling. Obviously, this requires a lot of cycling training for developing endurance and precision.
Back in 1997, a rider from Ukrainian team touched the wheel of the forerunner and this changed the whole shape of the event. Hence team pursuit is not just about endurance but also teaches precision. Once the cyclists fall, it’s very difficult to continue. Therefore, the cyclists have to be careful in preventing the fall because this will take them way back in race.

Team pursuit cycling
The riders take turns to lead the lap or half a lap while other team members follow him closely. For the other laps, cyclists switch positions. The finishing time of a team pursuit is recorded when the third player crosses the line. This means that even if the team loses one player in a fall or if he falls behind, the team can still have a chance of winning.
However, that is something to be considered near the end of the race. Before that, the teams must reach the speeds close to 60m/h. the members are also expected to have excellent team skills during the ride. The best teams in this case are the ones that can successfully maintain a distance of a few centimeters between the wheels.
Once the concentration of any of the player gets diverted, there is a chance of a high-speed pile up on the track and then it’s the end of story for that team. 

Cycling Injuries to Watch Out For

 Beware cyclists! 91% cyclists died in a year and they were not wearing helmets. I know it’s hard to ignore the benefits of cycling, but let’s not forget the risks posed by outdoor cycling. When you are out in the open to enjoy a ride, there are some risks of injuries often encountered by cyclists. You know it won’t be a fun ride without precautionary measures and vital protective gear. All those daredevils ready to take the challenge of cycling actually need to do some serious thinking.
Basically, there are only two types of cycling injuries from which you need protection. Injuries can either result from overuse or crashes.

Cycling injuries from overuse
Overuse injuries from cycling develop slowly, over a course of time. They result from repeated movements, from stress or pressure on a certain area or a group of muscles. A knee injury is most likely due to repeated movements and the problem of back pain is also very common in cyclists because they remain hunched over during the ride. Some cyclists also face wrist injuries resulting from pressure on the handlebars.
Plus, there is a hamstring injury that is most dreaded by cyclists. The pain is so excruciating and crippling that it gets impossible to get on the bike, let alone ride it. It is a gradual onset of injuries that might result from the following contributing factors:

• ·         Improper cycle alignment
• ·         Internal body factors
• ·         Training too much too soon

Cycling injuries from crashes
If your bike is maintained in the perfect condition and you have struggled to maintain your body performance with training, then you are still not free from the risk of injuries. A cyclist will remain vulnerable to injuries from crashes. Many times, even after crashing, there are no visible injuries but some minor grazes can cause problems in spinal alignment. As a result, the rider suffers from knee or back pain. These types of injuries can be acute, more painful and extremely variable.

Is Urban Cycling Better Than Driving Motor Vehicles?

The concerns from exhaust inhalation are not hidden from anyone. The risk of traffic accidents from motor vehicles is another reason why people in some urban areas are reverting to bicycling. A research suggests that the benefits of cycling outweigh its risks. The data from this research implies that with cycling, the risks of accidents and pollution inhalation can be avoided. Plus, there are some health benefits since cycling is a good physical activity.

But that was all boring info, here comes the interesting part. In this research, it was estimated that that if people make a switch from driving car to riding on a cycle regularly, they will gain 3 to 14 months of additional life. Read on for some more benefits you have never considered.

Financial edge

Lack of finances is probably the biggest reason why some people use cycles instead of cars but then there are some fitness enthusiasts who use it for health reasons and found it a much cheaper alternative than vehicles. Every vehicle needs gas and the maintenance cost is high. A short ride to a store in car can cost you a few bucks but a ride on a bicycle will cost you some calories. Now which one would you prefer?

Health Benefits

This is a notable benefit and there is no denying of the fact that all cyclists are smart. Riding a bike regularly will give you cycling training, offer better endurance and you can speed up sometimes for a little cardio as well. An hour of cycling 3 to 4 times a week will help you improve your health immensely. If you can’t give up the comfort of your car completely, then take turns and assigns some days for cycling ride to your work place.

Easy Commuting

Cars can only go through roads but you don’t have any terrain restrictions for cycling. A cycle can go uphill and even through a forests which can be a short cut. Hence a cycle can offer easy commuting facility while offering various health benefits.

Environmental Benefits

This is perhaps the most debated reason of cycling. However, it’s certain that vehicle emissions can be lowered if majority of the population switches to cycles instead of cars. Just by skipping a single day of car ride and using a cycle instead can make a difference in your surroundings.  But it’s not just fuel emissions that pollute the environment, noise has some contribution as well. Using cycles more often can limit that form of pollution to a great extent.