Jonahhobbes

Just fell foul of one of these today.

It's autumn where I am and a very narrow one of these humps has been placed at the bottom of a long decent on the road home. I normally go around it, (between the gutter and the hump) as I find it's a lot less tricky. The thing with these humps particularly this one on this steep decent is it really tends to throw you forward so I avoid going over it. I've done this a gazillion times.

Today, slowed down, but failed to take in a huge wad of damp leaves just past the hump so went around it as usual. Normally a layer of leaves and chipseal is no probs but this was like hitting black ice - cue falling off, bruised shoulder, damaged flight deck shifter etc, sore lower back.

I'm p*ssed as this is on a semi private road that work is supposed to keep clean so I'm going to do an Health and Safety Incident form.



Anyone have experience of going over these?

walrus1

Hmm, I deal with metal humps on the Manhattan Bridge that form similar sized bumps. The trick I use is to maintain a steady speed, stand out of the saddle and aim for the smoothest bits. I don't notice the bounce if all goes well. If you look on hump on your photo you'll see that in between the reflector mounts there is a bit of smooth surface aim for that. After your fall I'd avoid the gutter area.

HardyWeinberg

I rode to a nearby place that has giant rubber mats across their driveway for tracked earthmoving equipment to cross w/o crushing the pavement. Managed to cross them 4 times today (entering in the morning, out and back for lunch, and leaving at the end of the day) mostly during downpour and stayed upright the whole way! Secret for me was to avoid braking. I could pedal on them just fine.

MichaelW

Avoid the sloping ends at all costs.
Hit the bump perpendicular and bunny hop or unweight the front.
Speed bumps can have a concave or convex profile. Concave is best for cyclists.

The most dangerous rubber is often pneumatic hose pooled diagonally across the road.. Plastic bumps often protect hose.