If on a straight section of the course, try to jump it. In a corner, steer the opposite way it's moving, bracing your elbow for a brush with a competitor. My neighbor will tell you trying to run over it can cause some serious damage. Her husband dropped his bottle in front of her and when her wheel hit it, full of water and therefore not about to crush easily, it threw her bike sideways so fast she hit the ground and blacked out before she knew what happened.