This Time Next Year
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Portsmouth, UK
Only been riding a month or two so still a bit of a novice. This morning on my commute on my Boardman Hybrid (28c width tyres ~100psi), there was some very light rain, but the roads were wet from earlier rain.
I was approaching a small, usually quiet, roundabout to turn right, probably doing about 15mph max at the time. Was out into primary early as there was a vehicle approaching from behind that had just turned into the road so wanted to make sure I was in a good position. I check behind again, signal right, as I look forward, car and van are stopped at roundabout waiting, so in a bit of a panic, I put on the rear (mechanical disc brake) brake fairly sharpish, fearing a rear end into the van.
At this moment, I felt the back end skid out to the right, I stick my left leg out in the air to balance, release the brakes based on principles for controlling a skid in a car, and somehow manage to stay upright. Stopped, blushed a little and hoped the car behind didn't notice, and was on my way.
Firstly I recognise it was entirely my own fault for not anticipating the car and van would stop at the roundabout, but what I'm really after is advice on how to best avoid skidding if I am ever in an emergency stop situation on damp roads again. I'm not sure why I only used the rear brake, perhaps my right hand wasn't ready from the signal, or perhaps I used the rear brake only out of instinct from being taught as a child not to use the front brake only / first or risk end up somersaulting the handlebar, it all happened a bit quickly.
If I'd applied both would that of reduced my skid risk? Is there anything else I can learn from this and take forward with me?
I was approaching a small, usually quiet, roundabout to turn right, probably doing about 15mph max at the time. Was out into primary early as there was a vehicle approaching from behind that had just turned into the road so wanted to make sure I was in a good position. I check behind again, signal right, as I look forward, car and van are stopped at roundabout waiting, so in a bit of a panic, I put on the rear (mechanical disc brake) brake fairly sharpish, fearing a rear end into the van.
At this moment, I felt the back end skid out to the right, I stick my left leg out in the air to balance, release the brakes based on principles for controlling a skid in a car, and somehow manage to stay upright. Stopped, blushed a little and hoped the car behind didn't notice, and was on my way.
Firstly I recognise it was entirely my own fault for not anticipating the car and van would stop at the roundabout, but what I'm really after is advice on how to best avoid skidding if I am ever in an emergency stop situation on damp roads again. I'm not sure why I only used the rear brake, perhaps my right hand wasn't ready from the signal, or perhaps I used the rear brake only out of instinct from being taught as a child not to use the front brake only / first or risk end up somersaulting the handlebar, it all happened a bit quickly.
If I'd applied both would that of reduced my skid risk? Is there anything else I can learn from this and take forward with me?