one of life’s greatest pleasures is Recommended According to health and fitness experts, cycling for overall health and well-being is cycling. Cycling strengthens your heart and muscles, improves balance, and also helps burn calories. other advantages.
The American Heart Association recommends At least 150 minutes (2.5 hours) of physical activity per week for adults, and cycling can give you that.another Research by the YMCA People with a physically active lifestyle were shown to have 32% higher happiness scores than those who were inactive. If you are sedentary, cycling is a great physical activity to start with.
However, before embarking on a cycling trip, there are many things that must be prepared. The equipment, the load on the bike, the route, everything needs to be reviewed. The risks associated with this activity are most often underestimated.
You may not realize the small problems and risks that come with cycling until you actually ride it, but there are risks. That’s why it’s important to prepare in advance to ensure your safety and ensure a smooth and enjoyable bike trip.
So what are the hazards associated with cycling and how can you avoid them? And what are the most effective solutions experienced cyclists employ for safety and enjoyment?
Risks associated with cycling
There are risks associated with bicycling, but ultimately they are no greater than with other modes of transportation. We need to be aware of them so we can mitigate them.
When traveling by bicycle, you need to ensure safety in several aspects, including:
- On the road, more specifically in the lane you share with the driver.
- In case of injury or fall accident
- To prevent theft of belongings and bicycles
- After deciding on a bivouac
1. Bicycle safety on the road
one of the most important places to stay The safe is on the shared road Locations with heavy traffic. Depending on the culture of the local population and their perception of cyclists, drivers may treat you with more or less respect.
In general, cyclists should avoid big cities, if applicable. Urban corridors are more delicate and difficult to navigate.
If you must cycle in the city, avoid roads that may be heavily trafficked. A wide track can get in the way quickly and pose a great risk.
In that case, choose a secondary road instead. Secondary roads that supplement the main road, even if not direct, allow more freedom of movement and hopefully the scenery.
The countryside is often safe and a great place to meet and interact with local people. The roads in the countryside are light and comfortable.
Prepare your itinerary in advance
It’s best to have a road map or GPS handy to plan your cycling route and know how to bypass major roads.
Many location-based applications are effective on mobile, including: Maps.meallows you to download maps and follow routes offline.can also be used bike map Prepare for your bike trip. It’s always best to use two different planners to compare and adjust your course according to what you think works best for you.
You can also research the towns, cities and countries you plan to visit before you leave. The web contains a lot of feedback from cyclotravelers who either recommend or don’t recommend traveling to certain places.
For example, Norway, Spain, Austria and Bali are known as great places for cycling and locals have a lot of respect for cyclists. On the one hand, the Croatian coast is considered very dangerous to travel by bicycle.
Ensures safety in the unlikely event of a fall
Fall accidents can occur during a bicycle trip. However, bicycle falls are often less serious due to the slower speed compared to other modes of transportation. That being said, use your saddlebags as shock absorbers in case of an accidental fall.
Helmets should always be worn, even if they are not always comfortable. Excellent protection to prevent head injuries.
Gloves and goggles add extra protection and comfort while cycling.
In addition, we recommend that you take out travel insurance in case of a fall. This gives you the peace of mind that your medical bills will be covered in the event of an accident and that you will be properly covered when cycling outdoors.
2. Prevent theft
Theft is one of the biggest concerns for cyclists. In fact, your journey can end abruptly if you discover that your bike has been stolen and you don’t have your cycling gear with you.
The most common thefts often occur when bicycles are poorly secured. Most saddlebags can be fitted with a small padlock to prevent snatching.
Another problem when traveling by bike is the lack of really safe panniers on the market. Most of them open without much difficulty when plugged in.
Passers-by outside of big cities, however, may find the contents of their saddlebags less interesting. Many cyclists can leave a loaded mount at the edge of a beach for several hours without being robbed.
Ultimately, preventing theft depends on the value of the item you’re putting inside and where you are.
Snatch avoidance
Always sit in a position where your bike is perfectly in front of you when you stop for a run or a snack at a café.
If you’re having trouble installing a padlock and you’re just racing, hang your helmet between your wheel and frame. That way, if someone tries to get on your bike, you have time to react before you find a place to unhook the bike.
When it comes to saddlebags, the safety measures are pretty much the same. In some cases, simply attaching a simple carabiner to your saddlebag can prevent rapid theft.
Avoid urban theft
In urban areas, cyclotravelers generally prefer hotels, guesthouses and homestays. As a cyclist, your best bet is to never leave your bike outdoors under any circumstances, as this increases the risk of theft. If your accommodation does not have a room for this purpose, ask to have your bike delivered to your room. In general, this is fairly well accepted.
Finally, you can explore the city on foot, or at least without a saddlebag with the right padlock. You can enjoy exploring and discovering the city even on foot.
protect money and documents
Another important security measure concerns money and documents.
First, get yourself a handlebar bag to hold your documents and money. The latter can be removed with one click, so you can always have it with you.
If you’re in a foreign country and have a lot of cash, strewn it all over your saddlebag can help minimize losses in the event of theft or other problems.
Finally, at least keep a copy of your ID and important documents stash away.
3. Safety during bivouac
Temporary camps without tents or cover, bivouacs are like makeshift campsites and are popular with cyclists and long-distance cyclists. Because when you spend a lot of time outdoors, you realize that things don’t always go according to plan.
Sometimes you may find yourself in a situation where you need to hunker down for a few hours and rest instead of continuing to work. In such a case, a bivouac, or “bibby” for short, is useful.
A good Bibby can take off anywhere. And if you’re in a remote area far from everything on the route, with no welcoming hospitality or tourist infrastructure, it’s easy and fun to bivouac.
If you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and abide by some safety rules, there are very few risks involved with bivouacs in the end. Bivouacs are generally located in quiet areas away from main roads where traffic noise makes it difficult to sleep well.
If necessary, find a safe and quiet space to set up Bibby. To avoid resistance from locals, show them respect for their area by not littering or polluting the environment. Better yet, ask where you can pitch your tent. You will be amazed at how the locals are ready to help you.
Finally, if you’re worried about people or cars passing by at night, put a lock on your bike and put it under a tarp for safety. Please bring valuables inside the tent.
Practicing bivouac skills voluntarily from time to time prepares you mentally and physically to handle the rigors of cycling and physical activity, and sharpens your outdoor survival skills in case that is not possible. helps.
The conclusion is
Your gut is your best friend on an outdoor cycling trip. If your intuition tells you not to stay in a particular place, heed it. Always use good judgment when engaging in outdoor physical activity. It helps you avoid many bad situations and stay safe.
Are you ready for an exciting bike trip adventure? What are your tips for staying safe while cycling? What other tips do you have when planning your bike trip? Let us know in the comments section below.