Problem faced while cycling

wassifaziz

I'm new cycling and I was wondering what kind of problems and dangers should I look out for? Just so I can look out for them

spankwilder

Squirrels are dangerous.

napoleond

Cars n stuff

morstar

Where to begin?
Fundamentally it's a fun and safe past time. However, not everybody else on the road cares as much about your safety as you do. Be observant and expect the unexpected.
Vehicles, sheep, wet lines, wet leaves, wet metalwork and potholes are probably the biggest hazards.

Social dangers are wearing kit that somebody self important thinks you shouldn't, entering the helmet debate or acknowledging or not acknowledging others according to a set of undefined rules that exist in somebody else's head.

Ride the bike and enjoy it. In a few years you'll look back on some rookie errors and new experiences with fondness.

clickrumble

I once got my trouser leg caught on my bicycle pump.

vfast1

Naked women.

RonB

If you're ever in NI, then look out for cycle lanes. The phrase could do better might be appropriate...

http://nigreenways.wordpress.com/2013/09/15/belfast-cycling-study-tour/

declan1

Bumble bees. Seriously.

Mikey23

Potholes?

cat_with_no_tail

You should watch out for Wiggle, BE WARNED!

Also be wary of:
Honey badgers, the zombie apocalypse, slimer from Ghostbusters, tree people, Carnies, Freddy Krueger, Freddy Starr, Freddy Flintoff and Freddy Mercury (the latter is less of a problem these days).

Finally, if you survive until summer, be on the look out for wasps, I hate wasps, they're just cnuts! They're like the angry tramp of the insect world.

declan1

Cat With No Tail wrote:

You should watch out for Wiggle, BE WARNED!
.

How could I have forgotten Wiggle?

verylonglegs

Mortars. They can really spoil a sunday morning ride.

MrSweary

If you're down under.. Dropbears.

declan1

verylonglegs wrote:

Mortars. They can really spoil a sunday morning ride.

Doesn't that come under the pothole category (albeit very large ones)?

LegendLust

Beware of other cyclists. Most of them are morons, including me.

typekitty

MrSweary wrote:

If you're down under.. Dropbears.

+1.

Colinthecop

Cat With No Tail wrote:

Freddy Krueger, Freddy Starr, Freddy Flintoff and Freddy Mercury (the latter is less of a problem these days).

Did you have a bad chilhood experience with an Uncle Freddy that you'd like to share with us....?

cornerblock

LegendLust wrote:

Beware of other cyclists. Most of them are morons, including me.

That made I larf.

chrisaonabike

Check that someone hasn't nicked your saddle before you hop on.

Then watch out for anything moving that might hit you, and anything stationary that you might hit.

Other than that, you're good to go.

kajjal

vfast1 wrote:

Naked women.

This a massive problem for me with my finely honed physique, there are so many they keep blocking the road :shock:

The other problem is trying to justify some pointless expensive upgrade which makes you go faster such as wheels.

me-109

Outside of the obvious (big things that can kill you), consider:

Nodding at other cyclists (in case you get the 'wrong sort'; hint - they may be wearing baggies or Sam Brown belts) Not nodding (and starting a tirade of abuse on a forum by someone that thinks it is mandatory) Socks too long Wearing a special jersey you didn't earn Wearing full team kit but with the wrong bike Taking a wheel without asking Passing somebody (heaven forbid!) Mixing Shimano and Campag Getting clothes that actually fit (depends on a few factors, but don't believe the sizing) Finding a saddle that is comfy and a position that doesn't leave you with dead dingly-danglies (or equivalent)

BigDaddyG

A man asking a simple question............

The responses are spectacular and certainly made me look like a fool in an open plan office by laughing out loud!!!

kwi

Biggest problem is internet fora, stay away, they take up too much cycling time. (Though are OK when the weather is a bit sh1t like I hear it is in other parts of the UK.)

BillyMansell

Watch out for painted lines and road steel in the wet when you're cornering or turning, they can wipe you out in an instant and the first you realise is when you're picking yourself up off the road.

Don't worry about comparing your riding speed to those quoted on internet forums as people like to exaggerate their ability, not such a problem now with Strava but even there it's possible to cheat.

Ben6899

typekitty wrote:

MrSweary wrote:

If you're down under.. Dropbears.

+1.

+2

Those and Hoopsnakes.

markhewitt1978

Have to agree Wiggle is the most dangerous thing, take it from someone who knows

ben@31

Strava.

Gunnsie

Potholes
Flying insects
Broken glass
Cars
Kids
Rubbish brake pads in wet weather
Forgetting to put the brake release back on after changing wheels/tyres/tubes.
Always have spare tubes on you
Cross winds
Head winds
Fellow cyclists breaking wind
NAKED WOMEN

That should help.

Chris

fatsmoker

The Pet Shop Boys could make a song out of that, or that bloke out of The Streets

rpherts

declan1 wrote:

Bumble bees. Seriously.

Yes, had one bounce of my eyeball when I very briefly removed my glasses to blow something off the lens.

Also startled rabbits dashing out of grass on the roadside verge. I once saw one dash between my wheels when I was doing about 18/19mph. Incredible.

rpherts

Plus wasps getting trapped in your helmet strap and stinging you repeatedly.