What Low Level Risks Should be Considered Whilst Cycling - Advice for Others Please!

[roubaixtuesday]

Lots of discussion on the forum of risks of mechanical breakdown and spreading deadly viruses.

But what other infrequent risks should we consider whilst cycling? Please list your notable experiences and one piece of advice to others on how to avoid or mitigate please.

For me:

1: Assault by curlew
1: Saddle destroyed by unknown wildlife, likely bird
1: Propositioned for gay sex by Belgian (not necessarily a "risk" as such I realise)
1: Need to pretend to be asleep in tent to avoid crushingly dull German
1: Found to be without sufficient cash for pint at Tan Hill Inn
1: Lost lunch on steep and bumpy descent
1: Need to wade river to avoid road closure
1: Charged by angry cows
2: Fall due to riding through ford.
3: Fall due to ice
5: Insect sting (I think 4 wasp, one bee, but hard to be certain)
1,234: Puncture (approx)

Advice: Always carry enough cash for an emergency pint.

 

[Ajax Bay]

What an adventurous life you've led!
Boringly (non-mechanical/wheels):
Running into suicidal wildlife sufficient to bring one down, or close.
Potholes/road detritus with like effect.
Front light failing going down hill (in rural dark obv) - after 'event' mitigation: one button spare front light, keep straight and brake.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Squirrels 🐿 trying to take you out when cycling near trees. Always have nuts ready to throw to the side to divert the crafty buggers.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

Random insects inhabiting country (and other) roads in summer - especially nice quiet roads where you can get some speed up

Why do they always head for your eyes???

- hint - wear glasses

Other thing

Brambles - especially those growing out from hedges on narrow paths

For some unknown reason arriving how with blood running down you arm and leg from multiple scratches does not mean you wife immediately regard you as a hero only equalled by Achilles in terms of bravery and stature
Who knew???

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Level crossings at sharp angle to road or not same height. To mitigate get off and walk.

 

[T4tomo]

I had to duck to avoid a kamikaze pheasant flying low towards me along an avenue of trees> I guess mr pheasant was avoiding tree branches- but I still nearly soiled myself.

I also have had a squirrel bounce into my front spokes at 4pm (think clock face position not time of day) and pop out again as (s)he hit the fork at 12o'clock.

The learning from this experience is its far easy to sex a pheasant than a squirrel

 

[Drago]

Werewolves.

Snipers.

Rogue Spetznatz operators looking to settle a score.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Werewolves.

Snipers.

Rogue Spetznatz operators looking to settle a score.

Wrong thread - "My ideal sexual partners" thread that way ---->

 

[Kestevan]

One autumn I followed a bus along a road under the overhang from some oak trees....bus tyres propell acorns at painful velocities.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Don’t press any red buttons you pass.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

The learning from this experience is its far easy to sex a pheasant than a squirrel

errrrrrr

no - not asking that

 

[Oldhippy]

I'm with Ming, squirrels. Not convinced they don't work together and celebrate if they down a cyclist.

 

[Oldhippy]

Oh, and pheasants, dumbest bird going.

 

[PeteXXX]

Take extraordinary care on recently tarmacadamed roads before the grit has been applied. It can turn a 23mm tyre into a 35mm one within 100 yards, thus jamming the tyre in the forks!

 

[sheddy]

Trap set in the woods by local rednecks.