Low sun angle

[Greenbelt]

As the days shorten quickly this time of year, I’ve noticed lots of drivers and cyclists having trouble with the sun on East-West streets. In late September, the sun is low on the horizon in both the morning and evening commute hours, and often still very bright. Plus, the angle is changing so fast, that even regular commuters on their normal routes seem to be surprised by turning a corner and getting suddenly blinded.

Remember, if you’re blinded by the sun, the driver behind you probably is too! And likewise, if you see your long shadow directly in front of you, the driver heading toward you going the opposite direction is probably blinded by the sun and can’t see you!

In my opinion, especially important these days to run blinky lights even though it’s not dark, and wear good high vis colors and be extra “defensive” out there on the commute when the sun is low, even on “nice, sunny” days!

Topic

[Dirt]

Great post sir!!!!

Wearing a cycling cap under your helmet can help… one that has a bit of a visor on it. That also helps with on-coming headlights. The other thing that helps me is slowing down. If I can’t see well, I need to control my speed so that I have time to react to things that come up.

You can also change your route. This time of year the Custis Trail in VA has points that have me riding directly into the sun in really dangerous places. W&OD, 4Mile Run and MVT don’t have that same angle.

LIke Greenbelt said, If you’re having trouble seeing, the likelihood that the car behind you also has trouble seeing you is pretty high. Be careful.

Thank you for posting up, sir!

Dirt

[GuyContinental]

@Dirt 31675 wrote:

Great post sir!!!!

Wearing a cycling cap under your helmet can help… one that has a bit of a visor on it. That also helps with on-coming headlights.

Based on an earlier Dirt post regarding cycling caps I just started wearing one and it really does cut down on both issues- however, at least for me and my pinhead, there is a fine line between a hat brim position blocking glare and blocking all vision if you get in your drops… It also makes me feel all sorts of ELITE.

[Dirt]

@GuyContinental 31680 wrote:

Based on an earlier Dirt post regarding cycling caps I just started wearing one and it really does cut down on both issues- however, at least for me and my pinhead, there is a fine line between a hat brim position blocking glare and blocking all vision if you get in your drops… It also makes me feel all sorts of ELITE.

Very true… You gotta make this whole fashion thing your own. There are helmets with visors and many different kinds of caps. ELITE cyclists and Hipsters seem to focus on a few different styles. Figure out what works for you.

[ShawnoftheDread]

@Dirt 31675 wrote:

Great post sir!!!!

Wearing a cycling cap under your helmet can help… one that has a bit of a visor on it.
Dirt

Does it work better than the visors mounted on some helmets, or do you mean this only if your helmet is visorless? Yesterday the sun was shining between my helmet visor and the top of my sunglasses–very hard to get the right head angle to block it while still seeing.

[jnva]

@Dirt 31684 wrote:

Very true… You gotta make this whole fashion thing your own. There are helmets with visors and many different kinds of caps. ELITE cyclists and Hipsters seem to focus on a few different styles. Figure out what works for you.

It’s not very fashionable or ELITE, but I wear a waterproof cover on top of my helmet that has a visor. No sun glare, and it gives me more air flow than a cap underneath the helmet.

[GuyContinental]

@ShawnoftheDread 31687 wrote:

Does it work better than the visors mounted on some helmets, or do you mean this only if your helmet is visorless? Yesterday the sun was shining between my helmet visor and the top of my sunglasses–very hard to get the right head angle to block it while still seeing.

Only one data-point, but I’d say it works way better than the built-in visor on many helmets, it ends up very close to your eyes providing shade without dipping your head forward. It can also be flipped up for riding in the drops or as an ELITE multiplier.*

*Yesterday riding in my matchy-poo CAPPO black & white stripped kit, white Rudy Project sunglasses and black cap I was as ELITE as I ever get (major demerits for the battered, muddy CX with clean road wheels and not so subtle pirate regalia)

[Mikey]

I totally agree. It seems this week my morning commute has been timed perfectly so that I cross Shrieve on the W&OD just as the sun is in full glare mode. I need to get up a little earlier, in the meanwhile I don’t cross traffic unless they are stopped, completely.

[ShawnoftheDread]

@GuyContinental 31699 wrote:

Only one data-point, but I’d say it works way better than the built-in visor on many helmets, it ends up very close to your eyes providing shade without dipping your head forward. It can also be flipped up for riding in the drops or as an ELITE multiplier.*

That makes sense. I tried to use a ball cap one rainy day, but it didn’t fit under my helmet. ELITE bike cap it is.

[KelOnWheels]

@GuyContinental 31699 wrote:

Only one data-point, but I’d say it works way better than the built-in visor on many helmets, it ends up very close to your eyes providing shade without dipping your head forward. It can also be flipped up for riding in the drops or as an ELITE multiplier.*

*Yesterday riding in my matchy-poo CAPPO black & white stripped kit, white Rudy Project sunglasses and black cap I was as ELITE as I ever get (major demerits for the battered, muddy CX with clean road wheels and not so subtle pirate regalia)

Pirate regalia points > ELITE points.

At least in my book.

Which isn’t so much of a book.

More like guidelines, really.

Savvy?

[vvill]

I L-O-V-E the cycling cap under the helmet thing. I tried it first only a couple weeks ago. Works wonders for the sun glare. Normally for these times I use a helmet with a visor.

I have a black and red Hincapie one. Got it online for <$5 some time last year. The "one size" is way too small so I had to cut off the elastic that's stitched into it and even then it just sort of sits wedged until my helmet. It wouldn't stay on without my helmet. It is possible to put it on too far forward and reduce your visibility a little too much, but it’s a quick adjustment.

[OneEighth]

I use the mini bill cotton caps from Pace most of the year. My only complaint was that the wool version had a soft bill which failed in windy conditions. Had the plastic liner from a deceased cotton Pace cap sewn in.

[pfunkallstar]

@OneEighth 31711 wrote:

I use the mini bill cotton caps from Pace most of the year. My only complaint was that the wool version had a soft bill which failed in windy conditions. Had the plastic liner from a deceased cotton Pace cap sewn in.

Enterprising. My one recommendation would be to avoid white or light colored cycling caps, they tend to turn Mississippi River Bottom Brown (also a good kitchen color) in mere days.

[krazygl00]

@Dirt 31675 wrote:

Great post sir!!!!

Wearing a cycling cap under your helmet can help… one that has a bit of a visor on it. That also helps with on-coming headlights. The other thing that helps me is slowing down. If I can’t see well, I need to control my speed so that I have time to react to things that come up.

Cycling-cap-under-helmet is your solution to everything!

Hey Dirt, I have a creaky bottom bracket…any ideas? :p

[Dirt]

@krazygl00 31716 wrote:

Hey Dirt, I have a creaky bottom bracket…any ideas? :p

A cycling cap with ear flaps that work as earplugs.

[Dirt]

@vvill 31710 wrote:

I L-O-V-E the cycling cap under the helmet thing.

And I will add something that could be cross posted in the “Hair” thread.

Reason #17 why I hate vvill. He’s the only person I saw at the end of the Alpine Gran Fundo that had PERFECT hair after 104 miles and 11,000 feet of climbing.

Love,

Dirt

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