Monsoons are the loveliest months of the year – and those are the times of the year when everyone who knows how to enjoy the best of nature will want to spend outside – whether they are children playing with paper boats, people sipping coffee as they see rainfall from their verandah or others taking a shower in the rain. One group that loves rain is bikers. No true biker can resist biking during monsoon when rain makes lush greens of plants shine, and the wet soil gives that incredible fragrance. Who can ignore the calling of dew in the air and the colors that look so much brighter on account of rain in such a season? It is just the perfect season to bike out of and be aware of the mundane life of urban locality to somewhere rural or farms. However, if one is a biker, one must take precautions.

The precautions one should take while biking in monsoon

While biking in monsoon rain is irresistible, the season also comes with increased threats of road accidents. The foggy weather, the rainfall, and potholes can make a lethal combination for bikers if they are careful. While the potential for accidents is always there – rain or no rain, it is very high in the case of monsoons. Though the risk can never be eliminated, one can take some simple measures to reduce it.

The following are some of the measures one should take in monsoons to get the best of biking in the season while taking a minimum risk:

1. Avoid busy streets.

The first and one of the essential tips for biking during monsoon is to avoid busy streets – even though rain would keep most people away from roads, such streets can still see occasional people trying to cross the street that may not be visible to one as rain impairs one’s vision. Busy streets should also include any streets with several open shops.

2. Avoid kaccha roads.

Another essential tip for biking during monsoon is to avoid kaccha roads altogether. Several roads in India, particularly rural India, are still unbuilt in a modern ‘pakka’ way. These kaccha roads are not something easy to ride on even on ordinary days and grow potentially lethal during monsoon when water adds to their unevenness.

3. Avoid potholes

While kachcha roads are wrong, even the pakka roads present their risks as, in India, they are often full of potholes. These potholes might look like little puddles of water but may run deeper and lead to an accident.

4. Stick to roads that one knows well.

A cumulation of tips already mentioned can be to stick to the already well-known roads so as not to be unpleasantly shocked by a pothole.

5. Reduce one’s Tyre Pressure

Monsson means wet roads, which increases the chances of skidding and swerving. However, this risk can be averted by reducing the pressures in bike pressure. That will result in more of the tire’s rubber being in contact with land at any given point, and thus the vehicle has a better grip compensating for increased slipperiness.

6. Avoid Painted Lines

The yellow and white lines that mark many roads are also good indicators of where to drive – a good measure is to keep a safe distance from them as the central part of the road can often be most slippery. However, this tip may not be applicable in all cases.

7. Drive slowly

While increased speeds give that underline rush that most bikers crave, it is never a good idea to increase speed, and it is doubly a terrible idea when biking during monsoon. And to do so is to miss out on a chance to enjoy the beautiful sights the monsoon presents.

8. Avoid sharp turns

One of the most lethal reasons for road accidents involving bikers is sharp turns. Such sharp turns become even more deadly during monsoon as an unexpected vehicle, person, or even a pothole can throw one off balance. It is always a smart strategy for riders to slow down when taking turns, especially shart turns.

8. Avoid leaning into corners

Leaning when taking turns to seem cool, we know. Still, it’s also very risky. It is difficult during monsoon when an unexpected pothole is enough to disturb a biker’s delicate balance when leaning during a steep turn. Moreover, if a biker is taking such turns, that means they are not slowing down enough when taking turns which is risky.

9. Wear the protective gear

The last but not least important tip is to wear protective gear. They are available for good reasons. The rider’s shoes, trousers, gloves, etc., and most importantly, their helmet will save them in case of an accident. It is never a good idea to ride bikes without them, and it is disastrous to do so during monsoons.

As a biker, one must know that it is not about biking fast but being able to bike longer and avoiding accidents is the way to do that. These tips will help one avoid such accidents.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

There are several questions people ask that relate to biking during monsoons. The following are some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) on this subject:

Question: What speed is an excellent speed to bike during monsoon?

Answer: There is no good answer to this question, but it is wise to keep at a speed of ten or fifteen kilometers less than what is usually allowed on a specific road.

Question: Where to bike during monsoons?

Answer: There may be good sights for biking in most parts of the world during monsoon. More specifically, the lower Himalayas, the ghats, and some south Indian port cities are some favored biking places during monsoon in India.

If the reader has any other questions, they should feel free to ask them in the comments below.

The Bottom Line

One can easily wrap up the above discussion by concluding that while biking during monsoon is fun, it is equally important to make it safe so that it won’t end up in an undesired tragedy.