Rambling Roads

Ramblin’ Roads by Road Capt. Bill Save your skin in a hairy corner!

Well, let's hope you never actually need to try this one. But you should know what to do in an emergency situation.

Let's say you're on a twisting road, having fun carving through the curves. Feels great! But suddenly you realize you're approaching the next turn way too fast. What now?

---Lean, lean, lean! Generally it's better to increase your cornering angle even though you may lose traction and fall to the inside. Consider the options: Either slide down or ride off the outside of the road and hit things like guardrails, trees or big air (for a while). This is assuming a motor vehicle doesn't stop you first.

Of course, if the shoulder is smooth and carpeted in plush grass, running off the road makes good sense. But you'll rarely have time to check and decide. In most cases, the normal reaction -- to stay upright for as long as possible -- can lead to worse injuries. So lean, lean, and lean!

---Stand hard. Give your tires the best chance of maintaining their grip by standing heavily on your outside pedal. Virtually all of your weight should be on it. Press hard and push your bike into the turn. When you're doing it right, the machinery will be angled more than your body.

---Brake, then don't. Take off as much speed as you can before the turn, then release the levers. This is another technique that goes against instinct. But braking in a turn makes a bike want to straighten, the opposite of what you need it to do.

That said, you can usually feather the rear brake without dire consequences. It may slow you just enough to make it through. But be ready to let up if the wheel grabs, chatters and threatens your control.

Don't even think about using the front brake while turning. This goes for normal cornering too, not just panic conditions. Front braking when the bike is leaning will point you anywhere but where you're aiming. It can even cause the front wheel to wash out abruptly -- and down you go.

--- Ride Safe! Be Careful, And Tailwinds

THANK YOU FOR BEING A RIDE LEADER !