Accidents & near misses - all on road bike
- strong gusty cross-wind on open road - gust blew me off the pavement sideways - don't know how I could have avoided that one. At least it didn't blow me into traffic, but I've had near misses in that arena also. Lesson - I dunno? just be extra wary when riding in gusty crosswinds, especially with motor vehicle traffic present. I do find that slowing way down reduces the ability of gusts to knock you off your planned vector.
- MUP, semi-blind curve; not suspecting the treacherous layer of leaves ahead of me (this was during autumn ), I took a curve too fast and had to swerve to avoid an oncoming cyclist. There was not enough traction to swerve back in order to remain on the trail, and I went down, solo. Lesson: assume the worst ahead, beyond where you are able to see, and adjust your speed and trajectory accordingly.
- MUP, wide open visibility, but pavement moist from recent light rain. At cruising speed (near 20mph - this is a lightly used MUP) attempted to negotiate a curve following a downslope, and I think the camber was adverse also - discovered that there was way less than the expected amount of traction, and between braking and turning could not keep on the path - front wheel began to slide, and down I went. Lesson - know your MUP, i.e. how much traction to expect, depending on the type of surface. In this particular case, it was concrete indeed, but with some kind of diabolical slick surface finish.
- Near miss; I've had this one a couple of times now (in different locations), on the road shared with motor vehicles; on a curve going down hill where I'm going the prevailing speed of motor traffic, the motorist behind me exceeds the prevailing speed and/or speed limit, presumably in order to "pass the cyclist, on principle", and as a result, cuts me off at the curve (i.e. because the motorist has to slow down to negotiate the curve, and depending whether right or left curve, thereby forces me off the road on the inside or outside) - lesson: when you're going as fast as motor traffic when approaching a curve, take the lane.