one of the greatest joys in life Recommended Cycling for overall health and well-being by health and fitness experts. Cycling strengthens your heart and muscles, improves balance, and also helps burn calories. other advantages.
Recommended by the American Heart Association At least 150 minutes (2.5 hours) of cardio-stimulating physical activity per week for adults, and cycling can give you that.another Research by the YMCA Those who lead a physically active lifestyle were shown to have 32% higher health scores than those who did not. If you do a lot of sitting, cycling is a great physical activity to start with.
But before you go out cycling, there are a lot of things you need to prepare. The equipment, the load on the bike, and the route all need to be reviewed. The risks associated with this activity are mostly underestimated.
You may not realize the small problems and risks that come with cycling until you ride a bike, but they do exist. That’s why you need to be prepared in advance to ensure your safety and make your biking journey smooth and enjoyable.
So what are the hazards associated with cycling and how do you prevent them? 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.
There are several aspects to safety when traveling by bicycle:
- On the road, more specifically on the lane shared with the driver.
- In case of injury or accidental fall
- To prevent theft of belongings and bicycles
- When you decide to bivouac
1. Bicycle safety on the road
one of the most important places to stay Safety is on shared roads Places with heavy traffic. Depending on the culture of the local population and their perception of cyclists, drivers can show you more or less respect.
In general, cyclists should avoid big cities, if applicable. Urban passages are more delicate and difficult to navigate.
If you must ride your bike in an urban area, avoid roads where you may come across many trucks. A wider track can get in the way quickly and pose a greater risk.
In that case, choose a secondary road instead. Secondary roads that supplement the main road are not straight, but allow more freedom of movement and hopefully the scenery.
The countryside is often safer and provides a rich source of encounters and interactions with locals. Country roads are comfortable with less traffic.
Prepare your itinerary in advance
It’s a good idea to have a road map or GPS handy to plan your cycling route and know how to bypass major roads.
Many location applications are effective on mobile, including: Maps.me, which allows you to download maps and follow routes offline.You can also use bike map Prepare for your bike trip. It’s always best to use two different planners to compare them and adjust your course according to what you think works best for you.
You can also research the town, city, or country you plan to visit before you go. The web contains a lot of feedback from cyclo travelers who may or may not recommend traveling to certain places.
For example, Norway, Spain, Austria and Bali are famous places for cycling and locals respect cyclists. On the other hand, the Croatian coast is considered very dangerous to travel by bicycle.
Safety in the event of an accidental fall
Accidental falls can occur during bicycle trips. However, the speed is slower than other modes of transportation, so bike falls are less serious. That said, use your saddlebags as shock absorbers in case of an accidental drop.
Helmets should always be worn, although they may not always be comfortable. It’s a great protection to help prevent head injuries.
Gloves and goggles provide additional protection and comfort when cycling.
Additionally, it is always recommended to have travel insurance in case of a bad fall. This will cover your medical bills in the event of an accident and give you peace of mind knowing that you are well covered while cycling outdoors.
2. Anti-theft
Theft is one of the biggest concerns for all bike travelers. In fact, if your bike is stolen and your cycling gear is gone, your journey can end abruptly.
The most common thefts often occur when bicycles are poorly secured. Most saddlebags can often 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 that they are less interested in the contents of their saddlebags. Many cyclists leave their laden mounts at the edge of the beach for hours, but they don’t get stolen.
Ultimately, preventing theft depends on the value of the items inside and where you are.
Snatch avoidance
Always position your bike in front of you when you stop for a run or a snack at a café.
If it’s difficult to attach a padlock and you’re only racing, hang your helmet between the wheel and frame. That way, if someone tries to get on your bike, you have time to react before you know where to unhook.
When it comes to saddlebags, the safety measures are pretty much the same. In some cases, attaching a simple carabiner to your saddlebag can help deter quick theft.
Anti-theft in the city
In cities, cyclo travelers generally prefer hotels, guesthouses or homestays. As a cyclist, your best bet is to never leave your bike outdoors as this is an area where the risk of theft increases. If your accommodation does not offer a room for this purpose, please ask to bring your bike to your room. Generally this is very acceptable.
Finally, with a good padlock, you can choose to visit the city on foot, or at least without a saddlebag. Your walk and discovery of the city will also be pleasant to walk.
protect money and documents
Another important security measure concerns money and documents.
First, prepare a handle bag in which you can store documents and money. The latter can be removed with one click, so you can always take it with you.
If you’re in a foreign country and have a lot of cash, scatter it all over your saddlebag. This will limit your 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 a type of improvised campsite and are favored by cyclists and out-of-town cyclists. This is because spending a lot of time outdoors finds that things don’t always go according to plan.
Sometimes you find yourself in a situation where you need to bend over and rest for a few hours instead of trying to do your best. In such a case, a bivouac, or “bibby” for short, is useful.
A good Bibby can pull off just about anywhere. And when you find yourself in a remote part of the route with no hospitality or tourist infrastructure to welcome you, it’s easy and fun to bivouac.
If you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and respect some safety rules, bivouacs are ultimately very risk-free. Generally bivouacs are set up in quiet areas, away from main roads, and in areas with heavy traffic, so you can’t get enough sleep.
Find a safe and quiet space if you need to set up your bibby. Show respect for their area by not littering or polluting the environment to avoid resistance from locals. Better yet, ask them where you can set up your tent. You will be amazed at how the locals are ready to help you.
Finally, if you are concerned about people or traffic at night, attach a lock to your bike and keep it under a tarp for safety. Bring your valuables to the tent.
Voluntarily practicing your bivouac skills from time to time will prepare you mentally and physically to handle the rigors of cycling and physical activity, and sharpen your outdoor survival skills in case you have no other choice. increase.
The conclusion is
Your gut is your best friend on any outdoor cycling trip. If your intuition tells you to stay nowhere, 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 for planning your bike trip? Let us know in the comments section below.