News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Better helmet than head. Photo by Jim Cornelius
Dennis McGregor's bicycle wreck on the McKenzie Highway (see story) illustrates an often-forgotten truth: Bicycling can be a dangerous sport.
Riders are vulnerable, perched over skinny tires and traveling at high velocity with nothing between them and the pavement or rocks but fabric and plastic.
On roads around Sisters, the hazards are many -- from gravel and pine cones that can stop a rolling tire to deer and squirrels that can dart into the path of a cyclist.
Tate Metcalf of Sisters Athletic Club organized and led the Sunday morning ride on which the accident occurred. He offered some in-depth safety advice to riders, both novice and experienced:
• Equipment: The first and most critical element of rider safety is the use of a helmet.
"Absolutely never ride without it," Metcalf said.
Be prepared to spend at least $50 for a well-fitting, well-constructed helmet. If you crash on it, get a new one; the structural integrity is probably compromised.
Check your bike over mechanically before each and every ride.
"Flat or not-fully-inflated tires cause all kinds of problems," Metcalf said.
If you haven't ridden your bike for a long time, take it to a qualified technician for a check and a tune-up.
"You don't want to just grab a bike out of your garage and go on a long ride," Metcalf said.
Speed: Going fast is part of the pleasure of cycling. Going too fast could put you in the hospital.
"All of us kind of have a fear-factor speed limit," Metcalf said. "You just have to stay in your comfort zone."
If you start to lose control, developing "speed wobbles," you need to back off. The key is to reduce speed gradually; that's hard to do when your instinct is to make a panic stop.
DO NOT GRAB THE FRONT BRAKE. Doing so can catapult you over your bike, headlong onto road or trail.
"If you jam on the front brake, you're going over," Metcalf said.
If you need to slow down, "feather" the brakes, applying pressure lightly and without "locking up."
Take curves at a speed you can handle and don't lean into the turn. According to Metcalf, the correct technique is to let your inside knee point you into your desired line of travel. The inside pedal should be at the top of the stroke.
Road Hazards: "I've seen pine cones put a lot of people down," Metcalf said.
A bicycle won't just roll over a rock or a pine cone the way a car will. Such an obstacle will stop a tire, having much the same effect as jamming on the front brake.
Note obstacles in the road but don't watch them intently. Look instead where you want to go.
Metcalf noted that many novice riders will fix their eyes on an obstacle, unintentionally steering themselves into the very hazard they wish to avoid.
Be alert for wildlife darting into the road and don't ride too close to other riders until you are experienced enough to properly handle riding in a tight group.
Watch out for drivers and don't take up a full lane of travel. Drivers should watch out for cyclists. DO NOT HONK TO WARN OF YOUR PRESENCE. You could startle a rider and cause a wreck.
Kit: Cyclists should carry a bike kit, including a spare tube, repair tools and whatever else might be needed to do emergency repairs.
Bring some cash on a long ride. Some of it should be change so you can use a pay phone. A cell phone is a good idea, but bear in mind you may ride into areas where you won't have a signal.
Carry identification with emergency contact numbers. Bring along ample water. It is easy to get dehydrated in the exertion of a long ride.
Let someone know where you'll be going, including routes, and when you expect to be back.
Metcalf advises everyone, especially cyclists who are out on the roads a lot, to get an Air Life membership.
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
Reader Comments(0)