The hassles before getting on the bike
#26
I think colorful spoke lights are best for fun rides. They are not for serious rides for serious cyclists
#27
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My rear lights are pretty darn bright and have 180 degret visibility. Couple that with a helmet mounted light, if I am not seen, not much else is going to help me. By all means people should do what makes them feel safe, but it is easy to overthink and over complicate it
#28
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A few years ago I had added three spoke lights to the front wheel, plus valve-stem lights and two to the back rack in addition to front and rear lights and helmet lights front and rear. While the spoke lights were beautiful and dramatic, I ended up letting them go due to the inconvenience of turning them on and off and the inconvenience of replacing the batteries.
What I decided to do was make sure my front and rear lights (both bike and helmet) had 180-degree or better coverage, and on two bikes I mounted the front blinky on the front fork so that the spokes would further scatter the light to the sides. So I simply clamp my Niterider 500 to the handlebars of whatever bike I'm on, then five quick buttons and in 10 seconds I'm lit up like the eighth night of Chanukah.
What I decided to do was make sure my front and rear lights (both bike and helmet) had 180-degree or better coverage, and on two bikes I mounted the front blinky on the front fork so that the spokes would further scatter the light to the sides. So I simply clamp my Niterider 500 to the handlebars of whatever bike I'm on, then five quick buttons and in 10 seconds I'm lit up like the eighth night of Chanukah.
#29
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If all that's a hassle then seriously, don't do it. It takes me 15 seconds to turn on the lights (when I do it), and I'm out the door in less than 30. Just a quick check of the bike, visual, touch the tires and quick releases and go. Brakes check in the parking lot on the way out.
#30
Spoke lights on the front wheel are great when crossing an intersection or making turns which enables the drivers (or others) to see you sooner. Also pedestrians almost almost let me pass before them while they admire the spoke lights . But they become dim after 3-4 rides. Once the spoke lights served me well when it became dark early and I didn't have any other lights.
#31
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I am retired now. So I find the "gearing up" aspect of cycling a little relaxing. I have my routine and enjoy following it as I prepare to ride.
I guess work is doing the things that has to be done... and fun is doing things you want to do... even when those things are the same.
I guess work is doing the things that has to be done... and fun is doing things you want to do... even when those things are the same.
#32
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It's not big annoyance, but still quite a lot of hassles if you commute frequently. The main thing is that we need all these "bits" combined to be safer, and have to do them one by one. I wish there could be a way to just do one thing to accomplish all. e.g. for the car driver it's so much easier to turn on all the lights.
Anyway, what websites are you that recommend such bother? I just put on a coat if raining and turn on lamps if dark. Simple.
#33
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Just when I thought I didn't need any more lights, you have to go and post this .
#34
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I keep everything in a morning go bag so it doesn't take much time. What gets me is trying to figure out what to wear (or take for the ride home). Winter adds 10 minutes of prep time.
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#36
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An issue that seems more prevalent here, and often IRL.
#37
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^^^
Spoke lights on the front wheel are great when crossing an intersection or making turns which enables the drivers (or others) to see you sooner. Also pedestrians almost almost let me pass before them while they admire the spoke lights . But they become dim after 3-4 rides. Once the spoke lights served me well when it became dark early and I didn't have any other lights.
Spoke lights on the front wheel are great when crossing an intersection or making turns which enables the drivers (or others) to see you sooner. Also pedestrians almost almost let me pass before them while they admire the spoke lights . But they become dim after 3-4 rides. Once the spoke lights served me well when it became dark early and I didn't have any other lights.
#38
#39
The hassles before getting on the bike
I’m an early morning year-round commuter, and now that winter is approaching, one of the real downsides is the increased time and care in getting just getting dressed, besides the bike preparations:
I posted to a similar thread on the Road Cycling Forum, ”Tips for riding early..”.
Turning on the lights are three simple switches, two rearward and one in front.
- checking the weather
- deciding what to wear (and hunting for all the items); I try to anticipate, the night before
- layering
- going the bathroom just before [strike]liftoff[/strike], er... exiting
- making sure all the possible clothing gaps are sealed
- putting on the final jacket just as I leave to go downstairs, to avoid overheating.
I posted to a similar thread on the Road Cycling Forum, ”Tips for riding early..”.
Turning on the lights are three simple switches, two rearward and one in front.
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 11-08-15 at 06:01 PM.
#40
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At least it's just button pushing. In the winter, getting the neoprene booties on my shoes is never fun for me. It's like wrestling but I'm not always sure that I will come out a head.
#41
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Just part of the routine. The part that takes me the longest is checking the weather and trying to remember what I wore at those conditions the last time. Only 2 rear facing blinkies 1 headlight so they don't take long to turn on.
Mostly everything is ready to go as soon as I get dressed. Backpack packed, clothes laid out. That said I forgot to get my apples this morning. How can I remember to get the carrots out of the fridge and not the apples?!
Mostly everything is ready to go as soon as I get dressed. Backpack packed, clothes laid out. That said I forgot to get my apples this morning. How can I remember to get the carrots out of the fridge and not the apples?!
#42
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Car drivers turn on their lights? Wow, you have better drivers than I do in my neighborhood. Damned cars with brightly-lit dashboards convince the drivers their headlights are on too, but in reality, they are as dark as a black hole. Or some cars will have their daytime running lights on AND the dashboard lights, but the headlights aren't on AND neither are the tail lights.
At least when we ride our bikes in the dark, it's really easy to know if the headlight is on. I do have to admit that if the tail light failed or fell off, I wouldn't know it right away.
At least when we ride our bikes in the dark, it's really easy to know if the headlight is on. I do have to admit that if the tail light failed or fell off, I wouldn't know it right away.
#43
Maybe it's becaus I like my little rituals that I don't find them a hassle. Night before, I get my bag ready (change of clothes + towel). Then in the morning I put on my "cycling gear" (really, just tights, a dri fit t-shirt and a jacket), throw the bag into my panniers, put on helmet and gloves, turn on lights and off we go.
#44
… The part that takes me the longest is checking the weather and trying to remember what I wore at those conditions the last time…
After a few years winter commuting, I established a chart of dress for winter commuting rated by ambient (not wind chill) temperatures, based on ranges of 10 degree increments. It’s helpful particularly during the change of seasons, like summer into fall, or winter into spring, to suggest what has worked in the past, though you are currently acclimated to an extreme of temperature, hot or cold.
Car drivers turn on their lights? Wow, you have better drivers than I do in my neighborhood. Damned cars with brightly-lit dashboards convince the drivers their headlights are on too, but in reality, they are as dark as a black hole. Or some cars will have their daytime running lights on AND the dashboard lights, but the headlights aren't on AND neither are the tail lights.
At least when we ride our bikes in the dark, it's really easy to know if the headlight is on. I do have to admit that if the tail light failed or fell off, I wouldn't know it right away.
At least when we ride our bikes in the dark, it's really easy to know if the headlight is on. I do have to admit that if the tail light failed or fell off, I wouldn't know it right away.
#45
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Step 1: turn on the blinky
Step 2: ride
Step 3 (optional) turn on the headlight
Step 2: ride
Step 3 (optional) turn on the headlight
#47
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my problem is the weather is not consistent. last week mid to upper 50s other days\ cold and rainy. I wish it would settle down some. I miss summer and it was bib shorts and jersey then go. Clothing adds at least 10 more minutes at home. 5 at work hanging things up so it will dry out. Packing it or at least hoping it packs into the panniers on the way because it is 25-30 degrees warmer.
#48
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With all I do to get me ready and the cats fed in the morning before I leave getting the bicycle ready is a small part of the process.
I do find that the focus on preparing to ride that I had when I rode a motorcycle just isn't there when I get ready to bicycle. But it's a lot easier for me to get my bicycle outside and ready to ride than it was for my motorcycles!
I do find that the focus on preparing to ride that I had when I rode a motorcycle just isn't there when I get ready to bicycle. But it's a lot easier for me to get my bicycle outside and ready to ride than it was for my motorcycles!
#50
It's recommended that we use whatever possible to increase safety level, so: multiple head/tail lights, wheel/spoke/valve lights, reflective/lighted leg/arm bands, reflective vests, backpack cover, and for those of you with helmets, helmet lights, etc. etc.... Too many hassles to turn on every light, put on the leg bands, etc. before mounting the bike, and then, after the ride, turn off each and every light, unbuckle the leg/arm straps,.......
It's not big annoyance, but still quite a lot of hassles if you commute frequently. The main thing is that we need all these "bits" combined to be safer, and have to do them one by one. I wish there could be a way to just do one thing to accomplish all. e.g. for the car driver it's so much easier to turn on all the lights.
It's not big annoyance, but still quite a lot of hassles if you commute frequently. The main thing is that we need all these "bits" combined to be safer, and have to do them one by one. I wish there could be a way to just do one thing to accomplish all. e.g. for the car driver it's so much easier to turn on all the lights.