🚴♀️ Why fallen leaves are no friend to cyclists
Ah, autumn! The trees are decked out in a thousand colors, the cafés are back to serving hot chocolates, and the cyclists... well, they're crashing! 😵💫 Dead leaves aren't just a pretty seasonal decoration, they're the peloton's nightmare (well, those of you who haven't read this article in detail yet 😉 ). Here's why.
🌬️ The Great Autumn Slide: When even Lombardy's roads become toboggan runs
If you've ever dreamed of ice-skating on a bike (soon to be in the Olympics?? 🤣 ), autumn could be your season. Dead leaves, when wet, have this incredible ability to turn even the grippiest roads into veritable ice rinks. We're not talking about a little slide, no, no! We're talking about a spectacular fall that could rival the best Tour de France bloopers. ⚠️
🌫️ Natural camouflage: A dead leaf can hide many surprises
Remember those magic tricks where you have to guess what's behind an object? Dead leaves play exactly the same game, but in hardcore mode. 😮
Underneath their innocuous appearance, they can hide holes, stones or other obstacles that turn a peaceful hike into an obstacle course. You see no danger on the horizon and poof, you find yourself with your nose at the handlebars! 🌫️
⏱️ Braking and leaves: A high-risk combination
You're out and about, enjoying the mild autumn weather, admiring the changing colors of nature. Doesn't it make you feel like a poet? Until you slam on your brakes and... nothing goes as planned (a classic autumn cycling trick!) 😨
You press down, but your bike behaves like a recalcitrant teenager: it doesn't listen. And all the while, those dead leaves, slipperier than an oil-coated eel, are sniggering (I'm not sure about that, but I can imagine 😅). They know they've turned your course into Russian roulette.
🚧 The art of zigzagging: dead leaves, those devious obstacles on the roads
Remember those action movies where the hero zigzags to dodge bullets? 🎬 Well, in autumn, fallen leaves give you a taste of that thrill... but with far less glamorous consequences. Zigzagging to avoid these leaves on your outings might seem like a good idea at the time, but it's actually a recipe for disaster.
First, there's the risk of falling (even uphill!). Sudden maneuvers on a carpet of wet leaves are like attempting a pirouette on ice skates for the first time: the chances of ending up flat on your back are very high! 🤕
And then think of the other cyclists. You're not alone on the road, and your unpredictable movements could well surprise whoever's following you and cause quite a mess. 🚴♂️🚴♀️💥
⚠️ Prevent the pitfalls of autumn for your next hike
Well, now that you know what to expect, let's get down to some practical advice. Because even though fallen leaves are the divas of autumn, there are ways to fight back! 🤺
🛠️ Bicycle check-up: a quick check-up before setting off
Before setting off on your adventure, the first step is to check that your bike is in good condition (mountain bike, fat bike or electric bike, same battle). A quick check-up can save you a lot of trouble along the way. And if you're not sure what to check, many bike maintenance services can help. 👌
🐢 Speed is overrated: slow down for better progress
You're used to speeding like a TGV between Paris and Saint-Georges-de-Reneins (why this little town? It just came to me. No judgement on inspiration please 😜)?
It's often said that speed is the price you pay for adrenaline, but here it's mostly the price you pay for a nice cast on your arm. So slow down and enjoy the scenery. 🌳
🛞 Choosing tires: grip, your new friend
If you like racing bikes with thin tires, autumn is the time to rethink your choices. Opt for studded tires for better grip. 🚴
You're no longer the type to hesitate between dancing shoes and hiking boots for a mountain outing. Those days are over! 💪
🛑 Braking techniques: stopping without drama before the finish line
Braking isn't just a question of muscle, it's also a question of technique. Learning how to brake properly can make the difference between arriving with a bang and arriving... in the emergency department. 🚑
So, before you set off on your next big ride, a little braking tuition wouldn't go amiss. Not sure where to start? 👉 Moniteur Cycliste Français
🗺️ The art of routing: Avoid high-risk areas
And finally, why not use a little common sense when planning your route? Forests and wetlands are nests of fallen leaves. So, if you can avoid them, do so! Instead, venture out on open, well-maintained paths. 🛣️
