Endurance Riding Safety RemindersFellow Riders,
When riding for extended periods and particularly during a 24 hour (or
longer) endurance ride, I have clearly noted that near the times of 10 and
4, I have to take special care. This means taking an extra hard and candid
look at myself, weather, roads, bike and gear, to see if I can continue
safely. This applies to both the AM and PM time periods. But 4 AM and 10 AM,
in that order, have proven the most difficult for me. I doubt that I am
different from most in that reality.
At 10 AM I have often been riding all night. Bundled in extra clothes and
with electrics on. Then the sun comes up and I get all cozy and warm, and
surely along come a big dose of fatigue, which effects are worsened if I
haven't removed extra clothes and shut off electrics by then. The trick is
stopping just before that happens. Clear your head. Get a fresh drink and
have something appropriate to eat. And that something is not comfort foods,
like breads and milks, if you are going to continue riding right away.
Proteins, fruits and veggies are better.
By 4 AM I have ridden hard through the night and my inner self yells at me
to get some sleep before it gets light. Most people would normally be asleep
during this time and that late is a few hours later than most people, me
included, would ever stay up on what would be considered a late night of
watching TV or partying with friends. I have to watch that hour approaching
and prepare for it. I always have to pull over for at least a few minutes.
Walk around, check the bike, eat and drink as described at 10 above. Take
some mint, tart, or spicey candies, and it is often time for a Pepsi, coke
or some may prefer a coffee. Lots of my rides have ended at this time
because I can't reasonably continue safely.
By 10 PM I would normally be getting ready for bed and when riding that
ingrained mental process continues and has to be overcome. It has usually
been dark for a while and that has an effect on my desire to sleep.
By 4 PM I often feel like a nap. My normal work day would soon be coming to
a close and that same mental process wants me to slow down and relax. On
nice days the heat of the day has been adding to my fatigue levels.
Collisions and wrecks unfortunately happen, of course, but we can do an
awful lot to avoid them, and have to. Even one hurt Rider is too many and
the sorrow is always great. We must continue to take great care to ride
within our lights, slow down in poor weather and on unfamiliar roads, ensure
our tires and brakes are in safe operating condition, get riding education
and then maintain and improve our riding skills, wear the best in protective
gear, freely pass on our knowledge to newer riders, know how to control
hypothermic and overheating situations, and ride within our limits, knowing
that our physical and mental limits can change from ride to ride based on
many factors. Weather, Health, stress, and physical fitness levels do not
remain constant and have to be factored in on each ride. I recall taking off
on a 2000 mile ride one morning and making in less than 200 miles before I
wisely turned around and went home. I simply didn't feel well and was going
to have to push myself too hard.
Wishing you all the best in satisfaction and safety during your riding,
Steve Broadhead
Calgary
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