Riding in the Wet
- Remember that you need to allow more space for braking or you may skid.
- When the road is wet is when the oil slick they care so much about in your test really becomes dangerous – your wheels and your feet when you pull up at the lights may slip in them.
- Try to avoid the white paint on the road as it will often be slippery – white lines between lanes, turning arrows etc.
- If you turn your head slightly to one side then the other whilst moving, the wind will help clear the water from your visor. It helps if your visor is fairly clean.
- Check the Bureau of Metereology (BOM) for anticipating the weather
- Check the current current radar for rain
- Enjoy the puddles
- Read the road oil will gather in low points
- Purchase Rain-X or anti-fog visors to improve visibility
Riding in the Wind
- Be loose on the bars otherwise your body will act as an extension of the bike and have a greater surface area to push against
- Pull in your tummy, stick out your boobs, shoulders back, and hold a good back position. This tightens your inner core muscles to add stability to your body whilst allowing your arms to be held looser
- Tuck your legs against the tank – if they are stuck out from the side of the bike they’ll get caught by the wind and flap around more than you would realise which will unsettle the bike
- Consider riding in the centre of the lane instead of in a wheel track to allow room for the bike being pushed around a bit if the wind is very strong and gusty – note! only if the road is dry as you don’t want to be riding in the oil slick.
- Avoid sitting in the closest wheel track when next to a caravan, boat or truck as they will also be getting caught by the wind
- Counter-steer into the wind if it is constant and from the same direction
- Above all – RELAX! the bike will correct on its own and the worst thing you can do is tighten up your body if you get stressed or scared. Remember that you signed up for feel of the wind in your hair and this is the fun part
Riding on Gravel
- Find the most compacted path or that with the least gravel – this will be the car wheel tracks. do not ride where the gravel is deep – where it has been flicked out off the wheel tracks
- Braking effectiveness is severely hampered due to lack of traction. Ride slower and have a longer braking distance
- Unless you have a road/trail bike, try to avoid gravel if you can. It’s not particularly bike friendly (and gets your bike filthy!)