The slot machine can be bad news. I, for one, intend to leave the thing alone.

But sometimes the routes we ride can turn into a slot machine. Be aware of any grooves in the road parallel to your direction of travel. If you catch your front wheel in such a groove, you can go down. Or even go endo! You might not be applying the front brake; but the result can be the same.

One of the places where we need to be careful is a railroad crossing; especially if the pavement surrounding the rails has become worn. It’s amazing how quickly that wear can occur, too. 

Sometimes slots involve old and battered road surfaces. They might form along the painted lines on the road; or a slot could mean a pothole.

The only thing to do about slots is to keep your guard up. Keep your front wheel clear of them! If possible, cross railroad tracks, or any slot, as near to perpendicular as possible.

Rough surfaces — including potholes — and road debris (broken glass, etc.) are why I use tire liners. They go a long way in preventing flats; but are no help against the “slot machine”.