Have you ever experienced getting stuck between the gutter and a car and there is an obstacle in front of you? It can be a stone, a pothole, a pothole, a puddle, wet leaves, or anything that blocks your path. You cannot change the position of the road to avoid the obstacle. It is in this situation that you use the rock dodge technique.
If you cycle over those hazards (particularly when they are more than an inch high), your tires can be crushed against your rims. This can damage the rims and burst the tubes.
What is the rock dodge technique?
The Rock Dodge technique is an emergency bike maneuver that allows you to avoid danger without changing your position on the road. This is a basic skill every cyclist should learn as it can save lives.
How does the rock dodge technique work?
front wheels
Note that with this technique, the front wheel is more important than the rear wheel. This is because you are driving with the front wheel. Performing this maneuver is quite simple. Just before you hit the obstacle in your path, jerk or spin your front wheel around it and back. For example, there is a rock in your path. Just before you reach it, quickly turn left (or right) and then right (or left) to correct your balance, then go straight again. Because you quickly correct your balance, your body would not have time to follow the motion of your bike. Continue to drive in an almost straight line while avoiding danger without problems.
Looking to the future
Looking ahead is essential to correctly execute this maneuver. You have to look ahead to identify the obstacle and notice how far or how close you are to it. This will give you time to prepare for danger. Focus on riding your bike in a straight line while moving your bike around the hazard.
Your Body and Rear Wheel
Maintain an upright riding position while your bike moves around the hazard. While doing this technique, you can stand on your pedal to help you maneuver your bike properly. If you know you would hit the obstacle with your rear wheel, you need to take your weight off the rear wheel. To do this, simply lift your weight off the bike seat. Lean forward slightly to get the rear wheel around or over the obstacle.
Ideally, you shouldn’t hit the obstacle with either wheel. Practice the rock dodge technique so you can use it correctly.
