It is tempting to mentally relax when you get onto a bike path. You might drop your head and inspect the bike computer or have a daydream, or you might switch your lights to a lower setting to save power. But every so often there is a nasty surprise lurking up ahead, such as an obstacle deliberately placed on the path. To protect ourselves from the unexpected, we need to:

- acknowledge that there could be something on the track ahead, and keep looking for it

- ensure our lights are powerful enough for the speed at which we travel

There have been several instances of BT members encountering obstacles, clearing them and/or warning other riders, and immediately getting the message to the authorities (police, HCC, GCC).