Lights...but not a 'which?' thread...

hondafanatic

Hi all,

Warning - bit of an odd post but I feel duty bound (i.e. bored enough) to mention my commute this morning.

For the first time since June 23rd (I turned 30 and had a mini early-to-mid life lack-of-fitness crisis) I've cycled into work and only driven while on holiday.

For numerous reasons I had to drive in today (boohissboo). I started my journey at 7:30 so it was pitch black but traffic was building up in the town centre etc.

The good news is that there are loads of cyclists on their way to work. Big thumbs up there.

The bad news, I couldn't actually see most and I mean 70% (guesstimate) until I was nearly on top of them. Obviously there were a few members of the 'don't need lights' brigade who will always be a PITA. But again, the majority of people with lights are relying on the tiny 3 led Halfords flashing specials...these don't work. The only time they did work was if said commuter hadn't taken off their reflectors, I could pick them up before their 'lights'.

And some of the manners displayed were down right dangerous...I had one guy bunny hop from the pavement onto the road as I was passing him. I was forced to break and swerve into the opposite lane. He then gave me the finger. I mean, FFS, he gives me abuse despite him being the problem.

All these little things added up and I can see why (wrongly) non-cyclists have a dim view when the pub banter begins...

I know this is a pointless post but if I can just make one person question their actions as the affect (or effect?) it has on our community can be really detrimental.

But then again, posting this here is preaching to the converted...sorry chaps, sidestep the bullet as it's not meant for you...this is just a cathartic post....

as you were

cheers and have a great Christmas break
david

dirk_van_gently

Firstly, 30 is not a midlife crisis, more "damn I'm not a teenager anymore".

I saw one yesterday, no lights, wearing dark colours, on a very busy, dark, and narrow road.
Some folk are just stupid.
The only thing you can do is set the example and hope people take notice.

hondafanatic

To be fair, I did say 'early-to-mid' life crisis. Either way, it was enough to kick my arse out of the car and onto the bike and rekindle my love of two wheels with peddles.

You're right about setting an example, but these people I saw arn't for changing me thinks.

Ahh well...

Cheers
David

cougie

I'm guessing those kind of riders probably dont read cycling forums.

hondafanatic

Exactly why I said 'preaching to the converted'....I think I'll get some flyers printed and hand them out as the offenders pass...or slap them across the head with them.

downfader

If this happens reguarly in particular areas there are two things you can do:

1) along with local residents, report the area and times to the police

2) get photographic/video evidence of offenders and send this annonymously to the police and press

hondafanatic

You forgot option 3)

3) Just winge about it while tutting and shaking head in a sagely manner

Only kidding.

I wouldn't want to get people £30 fines because I'm sure most of the poor lighting brigade don't realise how piss poor their lights are...although riding with no lights does deserve a clip round the ear and directions to the nearest LBS.

cougie

I'd just let natural selection sort it out.

downfader

cougie wrote:

I'd just let natural selection sort it out.

I know you're only joking but I hate reading that (even after I've written it myself )

Hmm I'm taking option 4. Watching the loverly Laura Tobin presenting the weather :P

hondafanatic

downfader wrote:

cougie wrote:

I'd just let natural selection sort it out.

I know you're only joking but I hate reading that (even after I've written it myself )

Hmm I'm taking option 4. Watching the loverly Laura Tobin presenting the weather :P

*google's Laura Tobin*

Ahhh...one of the few 'non-pregnant' weather girls...is it just me or is it the most fertile occupation outside of anything morally questionable?

downfader

hondafanatic wrote:

downfader wrote:

cougie wrote:

I'd just let natural selection sort it out.

I know you're only joking but I hate reading that (even after I've written it myself )

Hmm I'm taking option 4. Watching the loverly Laura Tobin presenting the weather :P

*google's Laura Tobin*

Ahhh...one of the few 'non-pregnant' weather girls...is it just me or is it the most fertile occupation outside of anything morally questionable?

Nicely put. But yes you're right.

always_tyred

Dirk Van Gently wrote:

Firstly, 30 is not a midlife crisis, more "damn I'm not a teenager anymore".

I saw one yesterday, no lights, wearing dark colours, on a very busy, dark, and narrow road.
Some folk are just stupid.
The only thing you can do is set the example and hope people take notice.

Is the mid life crisis worse, about as bad, or have you lost the will to live by then such that you barely notice it? (Just planning ahead).


(Ooops, I seem to have implicitly assumed that you have had one. :oops: )

hondafanatic

Always Tyred wrote:

Dirk Van Gently wrote:

Firstly, 30 is not a midlife crisis, more "damn I'm not a teenager anymore".

I saw one yesterday, no lights, wearing dark colours, on a very busy, dark, and narrow road.
Some folk are just stupid.
The only thing you can do is set the example and hope people take notice.

Is the mid life crisis worse, about as bad, or have you lost the will to live by then such that you barely notice it? (Just planning ahead).


(Ooops, I seem to have implicitly assumed that you have had one. :oops: )

No, i don't think i've had the full mid-life crisis yet. I've been putting money away for a 911 TT, at which point if you see me swanning about in that, then I'll have peaked...

always_tyred

hondafanatic wrote:

Always Tyred wrote:

Dirk Van Gently wrote:

Firstly, 30 is not a midlife crisis, more "damn I'm not a teenager anymore".

I saw one yesterday, no lights, wearing dark colours, on a very busy, dark, and narrow road.
Some folk are just stupid.
The only thing you can do is set the example and hope people take notice.

Is the mid life crisis worse, about as bad, or have you lost the will to live by then such that you barely notice it? (Just planning ahead).


(Ooops, I seem to have implicitly assumed that you have had one. :oops: )

No, i don't think i've had the full mid-life crisis yet. I've been putting money away for a 911 TT, at which point if you see me swanning about in that, then I'll have peaked...

But that's not a Honda.

hondafanatic

Always Tyred wrote:

hondafanatic wrote:

Always Tyred wrote:

Dirk Van Gently wrote:

Firstly, 30 is not a midlife crisis, more "damn I'm not a teenager anymore".

I saw one yesterday, no lights, wearing dark colours, on a very busy, dark, and narrow road.
Some folk are just stupid.
The only thing you can do is set the example and hope people take notice.

Is the mid life crisis worse, about as bad, or have you lost the will to live by then such that you barely notice it? (Just planning ahead).


(Ooops, I seem to have implicitly assumed that you have had one. :oops: )

No, i don't think i've had the full mid-life crisis yet. I've been putting money away for a 911 TT, at which point if you see me swanning about in that, then I'll have peaked...

But that's not a Honda.

And as soon as Honda pull their finger out and make a car as quick and drivable as a 911 TT I'll buy it. And before anyone mentions an NSX, I had one, brilliant to drive but I also had a CTR (heavily modded) that was as quick in straight line. (And all this is for track day driving not on public roads, hence my need for a car that does more than 70mph).

downfader

No no no!! Porsche are rubbish, as clarkson says the back end will swing out and kill you.

Go for a s/h Ferrarri f430 or even better f3xx *

*may be bluffing it

The Chingford Skinhead

Despite hi viz clothing and lights I had a couple of near miss incidents with cars turning in or out of side junctions. When I got off my moral indignation high horse I had a good look at my front light and concluded that while it was bright head on, it's range was pretty poor and it wasn't particularly visible from the side. So, instead of blaming others I took some responsibility and spent some proper money (well, proper for a tight ar$e like me) and bought a decent front and rear light. Result, less (thoug not zero) incidents.

I've found most cyclists actually respond positively when told their lights are not good - if told in the right way. Bloke at a junction actually thanked me, got off his bike and started pushing. If I hadn't just used my spare batteries I'd have given them to him.

I also had the slightly awkward situation when a youngish woman had a very powerful rear light but had put her helmet on the pannier rack so you only saw the light when you were beside her. I was following her in some darkish side roads in Hackney and was really worried about calling her over in case she thought I was a mugger or pervert! As she was turning off into an estate I got level and pointed it out. Again, I got a thanks.