CORE 5
Intersections and dangerous surfaces
The track trap lives here
Track trap
Ordinary tracks: stay straight. Parallel tracks or seams: move away and cross at 45 degrees or more. Do not memorize “always cross at 90 degrees.”
Ordinary tracks
Stay straight in your lane
Forcing a perfect 90° can put you into the next lane. Cross them as they already lie.
Parallel tracks / ruts
Move away, then 45°+
A shallow angle lets the groove catch the tire. Quick, decisive turn after you create space.
Intersections
- RISKIntersections have the greatest potential for conflict. The biggest dangers are vehicles turning left across your path and vehicles entering from side streets.
- MINDSETNever trust eye contact. Assume a vehicle that can enter your path might do it.
- APPROACHChoose a visible lane position, cover the clutch and both brakes, slow down, and preserve space for evasive action.
- BLINDStop at the sign or limit line first. Then edge forward and stop again just short of the cross-traffic lane, keeping the front wheel out of it.
- PARKED CARSRide toward the left portion to avoid doors and people. If oncoming traffic reduces space, the center may be safer.
- TRAPA vehicle making a sudden U-turn can block the entire road. Slow and use the horn.
- PARKINGPark at a 45–90 degree angle to the curb with a wheel or fender touching it.
Surfaces + tracks
- RAINPavement is especially slippery just after rain begins, before oil washes away. Slow before the surface and use smooth inputs. Ride in the car tire tracks — often the left track — and stay off the greasy center strip.Why it matters: The center strip collects oil. Car tires have already wiped two cleaner paths. Fresh rain floats that oil before it washes away.
- ICEIce hides in shade, low areas, bridges, and overpasses. Wet leaves can act like ice. Gravel collects at road edges, curves, and ramps.
- BESTUnavoidable object: slow, square up as close to 90 degrees as possible, rise slightly, and roll on a little throttle just before contact to lighten the front end. Afterward, pull off and inspect tires, rims, and the chain or belt.
- TRACKSUsually ride straight across railroad tracks in your lane. Turning to force a 90-degree crossing can send you into another lane.
- PARALLELFor tracks, ruts, or seams parallel to your path, move away and cross at an angle of at least 45 degrees with a quick, sharp turn.
- GRATINGSA wandering feel on rain grooves or bridge gratings is generally not hazardous. Relax, hold steady speed, and ride straight across.Why it matters: Do not mix this with a true wobble. Grating wander is a surface feel. A wobble is a shake you do not accelerate or brake through.
- NIGHTNight pack: slow down, open to 3+ seconds, read the road with the car ahead’s headlights and bouncing taillights, run the high beam when not following or meeting anyone, wear reflective gear, and stay flexible on lane position.
- TRAPSeparate multiple hazards. Adjust speed and deal with one at a time rather than squeezing between both.