If you ride over a pothole, what is usually the best action?

• A. Brake hard before pothole
• B. Look down at the pavement
• C. Look straight ahead and rise slightly off the seat
• D. Turn the handlebars sharply

Answer: (C)

When you encounter a pothole, your goal is to stay balanced and maintain a smooth, straight path through the hazard. Keeping your eyes up and looking straight ahead helps you steer instinctively toward a safe line and avoid overcorrecting at the moment you hit the hole. Rising slightly off the seat takes some weight off you and lets your legs and hips act as natural shock absorbers, allowing the suspension and tires to respond to the impact without jamming the front wheel or upsetting balance. Braking hard before the pothole or turning the handlebars sharply tend to transfer weight and force in ways that can make you lose traction or control, and looking down at the pavement can cause you to make sudden, unsafe corrections. So, look ahead to where you want to go and ease up slightly off the seat to absorb the bump, keeping a steady, straight line through the obstacle.