79pmooney
Posts:3180
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| 09/21/2013 10:38 AM |
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I just read the post on the Amazon CFO being killed by a left turning driver on a rural road. She was going downhill at the time. It was afternoon,
The report noted her helmet use, but not one word on her clothing choice. Those articles never do. I see cyclists from all walks of life every day dressing like it doesn't matter who sees them or who does not. I think about it every time I am in a store buying cycling clothes. I rarely buy jerseys that are any color besides solid yellow. Makers of patterned jerseys rarely get my dollar. (Keeps costs down; the expensive ones almost never meet this criteria.) Reason? Very simple. I want to be seen by the motorist who isn't looking for me. I want to live. And I do not want another accident of the severity of Dale Stetina's again in this lifetime. Once is enough. If that means I have to look like a dork, so be it.
Plus side? Having motorists roll down their window and thank me for being visible.
Ben
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 09/21/2013 11:24 AM |
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I encourage everyone to ride with a blinky light on their helmets or HB. Same with a flashing red light in the back.
Louis Garneu just released their aero road lid.....in addition to reportedly being VERY fast, it comes with an integrated red LED light in the back. Fast and safe....win win.
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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Oldfart
Posts:511
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| 09/21/2013 12:53 PM |
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| You'll be liking the new POC clothing then. Designed to be visible. Haven't seen any yet though. Your right too. I don't really understand why media seem to report that the rider was or was not wearing a helmet. Someone makes a mistake and a cyclist gets hit. What does a helmet have to do with it? |
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jmdirt
Posts:775
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| 09/21/2013 02:05 PM |
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I agree about wearing bright clothing. I commute about 20 miles a day on my moto and wear a hi-viz vest over my protective jacket. If it even makes one more distracted driver notice me that's good.
With that being said, I've been hit three times while riding a bike, two of those times a I was wearing a hi-viz winter jacket and the other time a bright yellow and white (ugly) team kit. Color might help get some people to see you but we still have to be very aware of every auto! |
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Dale
Posts:1767
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| 09/21/2013 03:57 PM |
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A good video on visibility-- both at night and daytime
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jp8YeXSTF7s |
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jookey
Posts:197
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| 09/21/2013 05:51 PM |
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| My race team is mostly yellow with a little white and black. Bright yellow booties. I can spot us a mile away. I would only change teams if they had day glow orange which is what I wear on the trails. |
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zootracer
Posts:833
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| 09/21/2013 06:50 PM |
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| My fav color for helmets and jerseys is red. However, I think we could be riding stringed with Christmas tree lights. They just don't see us, and by the time they do, it's too late.....right now it's that time of year when the light is changing...be careful... |
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Gonzo Cyclist
Posts:568
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| 09/22/2013 11:42 AM |
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I really think about it when I buy clothing, very bright jersey's, I was looking a new Endura Rain jacket, I liked the black, but really went for the neon yellow, just makes sense in a rain storm
Our shop jerseys are cool, but all black, I have noticed the difference when wearing them
I have been using a blinky light on my helmet ever since I was hit most likely from behind, and now I have been using a Serfas Thunderbolt, these are crazy bright |
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zootracer
Posts:833
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| 09/22/2013 01:00 PM |
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| Question of the day is, why do manufacturers make so many winter riding jackets in the color black? |
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79pmooney
Posts:3180
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| 09/22/2013 02:57 PM |
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Zoot, its marketing strategy. All about market share. YOu may lose that customer bexause he's wearing black,. but at least your competitor won;t get him.
Seriously, there is a long history of fine Italian long sleeve wool jerseys in black. I have one. It is Raleigh brand, 25 years old?, 85-15 Merino wool and seriously warm! Too bad it is a) wool and I have to isolate it from my skin, including the collar that zips up to a turtleneck and b) it is high visibility black (with infrared glasses).
Ben |
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Gonzo Cyclist
Posts:568
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| 09/22/2013 05:12 PM |
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the one thing about black, is that is does not show road grime. I think that is one issue, but if you think about it, wearing black is insane in a thunderstorm, drivers are already having a hard time seeing anything, much less a guy on a bike
my yellow rain jacket is stained with road grime, but that is no big deal considering it keeps you safe |
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79pmooney
Posts:3180
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| 09/22/2013 07:05 PM |
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Gonzo, fenders and black shorts. Fenders to keep your jersey/jacket clean and black shorts to wipe your hands on after flats and chain issue.
New Mexico and Arizona have laws on the books about bring fenders in from out of state, do they not? I don't think I have ever seen them there. Here in Oregon/Washington there are no restrictions about importing them from other states and countries and we even export a few. (Wood ones from River City.)
Ben |
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