Road Hazards: You might not have considered

While out riding yesterday I came across a couple hazards that riders don’t usually think about. Everyone knows to be careful and watch out for left hand turning drivers and to be extra careful when the roads are wet or snow covered and have pot holes, gravel or oil on them. Those big painted lines at intersections are know to be slippery when wet too.

What I came across was some hazards you don’t think of unless you live in an area like I do. Now is one of the best times of the year to ride because the sun sets the hillsides ablaze when it shines on the changing leaves. But those same leaves fall onto the pavement and if they’re wet it’s just like ice and if they’re in a pile you don;t know what’s under the pile so don’t ride through it.

Another hazard at least gives you a warning. When you see that big red splotch on the road from fresh roadkill you start thinking, “where’s the rest of it?” You start looking for the carcass or whatever parts haven’t been ground up or picked up. Any good sized dead animal can lock a wheel up if you try to run it over.

Now this hazard is one to definitely avoid, it’s the horse hockey pucks that the horses the Amish use to pull their buggies leave in the middle of the road. Not only are they slippery but they smell bad too. And if you get the stuff on your chrome or paint, well it will leave a mark.