Bicycle Riding Safety Tips On Eating and Drinking On the Bike
Whether you are a hardcore hammer or a casual rider, you have more than likely fallen into a situation that caused your heart to beat a little quicker. While there are plenty of common causes of injuries on a bike, there are just as many things people never consider. Then, when faced with the situation, they cannot handle it and end up hitting the road. Here are some of those odd circumstances you may have not considered.
Drinking on a bike can be a challenge at first. Most people think it would be a thing of ease to reach down and grab a water bottle, but it can cause some difficulties at first. A lot of beginning riders will take their eyes off the road to look down at their bottle, and this is when bad things can occur. Head to an open area and practice grabbing and replacing the bottle without looking down before heading out on long rides.
Another challenge riders have when drinking is going for their second bottle. Reaching back to the second bottle can be a considerable stretch. On longer rides, that second bottle will be needed, so this situation will have to be handled. When the first bottle runs out, play it safe. Stop on the side of the road for a few seconds, change out the bottles, and then resume your ride.
Eating can also be scary if a person has never done it on a bike. When riding in longer tours, a bike rider may consumer close to 1,500 calories over the course of the day, if not more. If it is competitive ride or a club ride, it is unlikely the group will stop so you can load up on calories. You are going to have to learn how to eat safely on the bike while traveling upwards of 20mph.
Most cyclists will hold their bounty in the pockets in the back of their jerseys. Practice reaching around into that pocket and grabbing food while seated. Get as close as you can to your riding position until you are comfortable doing so. Next, you are going to have to practice opening the food and eating without the aid of a second hand. After practicing at home, head to a spot where a soft landing is possible and do it on the bike with no other traffic around. Only when you have perfected this should it be attempted on the bike.
Once you start to go on longer rides, eating and drinking on the bike becomes a necessity. However, not being able to exchange bottles, remove the bottle, or pull food out and eat it with only one hand can result in some serious accidents and injuries. It may seem a little weird practicing these things in a chair or on your bike while someone holds you up, but those few embarrassing moments might just save you a trip to the emergency room.
Drinking on a bike can be a challenge at first. Most people think it would be a thing of ease to reach down and grab a water bottle, but it can cause some difficulties at first. A lot of beginning riders will take their eyes off the road to look down at their bottle, and this is when bad things can occur. Head to an open area and practice grabbing and replacing the bottle without looking down before heading out on long rides.
Another challenge riders have when drinking is going for their second bottle. Reaching back to the second bottle can be a considerable stretch. On longer rides, that second bottle will be needed, so this situation will have to be handled. When the first bottle runs out, play it safe. Stop on the side of the road for a few seconds, change out the bottles, and then resume your ride.
Eating can also be scary if a person has never done it on a bike. When riding in longer tours, a bike rider may consumer close to 1,500 calories over the course of the day, if not more. If it is competitive ride or a club ride, it is unlikely the group will stop so you can load up on calories. You are going to have to learn how to eat safely on the bike while traveling upwards of 20mph.
Most cyclists will hold their bounty in the pockets in the back of their jerseys. Practice reaching around into that pocket and grabbing food while seated. Get as close as you can to your riding position until you are comfortable doing so. Next, you are going to have to practice opening the food and eating without the aid of a second hand. After practicing at home, head to a spot where a soft landing is possible and do it on the bike with no other traffic around. Only when you have perfected this should it be attempted on the bike.
Once you start to go on longer rides, eating and drinking on the bike becomes a necessity. However, not being able to exchange bottles, remove the bottle, or pull food out and eat it with only one hand can result in some serious accidents and injuries. It may seem a little weird practicing these things in a chair or on your bike while someone holds you up, but those few embarrassing moments might just save you a trip to the emergency room.
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