Missed connection

Our Community Forums General Discussion Missed connection

Viewing 15 posts - 5,266 through 5,280 (of 5,363 total)
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  • #1100814
    ginacico
    Participant

    @consularrider 193675 wrote:

    Actually, yes it would. My light is dynamo power and sits just above the front wheel so I’d likely do an endo if I reached down to cover it.

    Ditto. Next time you’re riding on a narrow trail, reach down and grab your head tube badge and see how much fun that is.

    I went and got a dynamo-powered light with a sophisticated beam like that of an automotive headlight. Then I adjusted it so it points exactly where it’s supposed to, not dazzling anyone but allowing me to see clearly when riding in the dark (the whole point of a light). It doesn’t strobe, I turn it on only when needed for safety, and I’ve never gotten a complaint.

    So, nope.

    Last night I was driving my way out of backwoods Manassas on a twisty, hilly, 2-lane road with zero street lights and no shoulders. There were lots of cars coming the other direction (half of which forgot to dim their high beams). Did I politely turn off my headlights for every one of them? No. Because passing each other in pitch darkness seems stupid.

    Not putting myself at risk for some really questionable etiquette.

    #1100813
    EasyRider
    Participant

    @ginacico 193677 wrote:

    Ditto. Next time you’re riding on a narrow trail, reach down and grab your head tube badge and see how much fun that is.

    I went and got a dynamo-powered light with a sophisticated beam like that of an automotive headlight. Then I adjusted it so it points exactly where it’s supposed to, not dazzling anyone but allowing me to see clearly when riding in the dark (the whole point of a light). It doesn’t strobe, I turn it on only when needed for safety, and I’ve never gotten a complaint.

    So, nope.

    Last night I was driving my way out of backwoods Manassas on a twisty, hilly, 2-lane road with zero street lights and no shoulders. There were lots of cars coming the other direction (half of which forgot to dim their high beams). Did I politely turn off my headlights for every one of them? No. Because passing each other in pitch darkness seems stupid.

    Not putting myself at risk for some really questionable etiquette.

    Bike headlamps with cutoff patterns are just great. I really encourage everyone to give one a try this winter. Not only are they better for fellow trail riders, they are better for their owners as well. The beam pattern more evenly lights the road ahead, unlike the overpowered flashlights that have become ubiquitous.

    #1100812
    sjclaeys
    Participant

    @Drewdane 193673 wrote:

    Not to defend people who don’t use their own lights and reflectors, but would it kill you to briefly cover your light or swivel it to the side? A light angled to illuminate 25-30 feet ahead is also angled high enough to temporarily blind most oncoming trail users.

    If it means that I can’t use my hand to steer or brake, or causes me to not see the ninja running in front of me, then ,yes, it could kill me.

    #1100811
    ginacico
    Participant

    @EasyRider 193678 wrote:

    Bike headlamps with cutoff patterns are just great. I really encourage everyone to give one a try this winter. Not only are they better for fellow trail riders, they are better for their owners as well. The beam pattern more evenly lights the road ahead, unlike the overpowered flashlights that have become ubiquitous.

    Agreed! Combined with a dyno hub, it makes night riding a no-brainer. The person who told me I’d never regret that investment was absolutely right.

    #1100798
    dkel
    Participant

    @Drewdane 193673 wrote:

    Not to defend people who don’t use their own lights and reflectors, but would it kill you to briefly cover your light or swivel it to the side? A light angled to illuminate 25-30 feet ahead is also angled high enough to temporarily blind most oncoming trail users.

    I don’t cover my light for people who don’t use one because then no one can see. I cover mainly the upper portion of my light when others are also using lights because my light’s beam is quite diffuse; if I had a nice dynamo light with a swanky cutoff, all of this would be obviated. I get frustrated when I cover mine and an oncoming cyclist blinds me with theirs—that seems offensively dangerous to me. I have no problem with lights that aren’t blinding.

    #1100826
    ursus
    Participant

    Can someone mention at least one light with a cutoff pattern? I am unfamiliar with this.

    #1100804
    bentbike33
    Participant

    @ursus 193687 wrote:

    Can someone mention at least one light with a cutoff pattern? I am unfamiliar with this.

    The most complete source about bike light systems I know is Peter White Cycles. Most of the lights with well-designed beams are German-made because of their strict regulations on bike lighting.

    My favorite is the Busch + Muller Luxos U

    #1100829
    Hancockbs
    Participant

    @dkel 193681 wrote:

    I don’t cover my light for people who don’t use one because then no one can see. I cover mainly the upper portion of my light when others are also using lights because my light’s beam is quite diffuse; if I had a nice dynamo light with a swanky cutoff, all of this would be obviated. I get frustrated when I cover mine and an oncoming cyclist blinds me with theirs—that seems offensively dangerous to me. I have no problem with lights that aren’t blinding.

    The original question has been answered, but I’ll add, no it likely would not kill me, but very well might result in significant injury to me or another trail user that I can’t see for lack of light. Additionally, while I used to have the same concern, I’ve come to realize that the problem is staring at the light of the opposing rider. If you simply look at the trail vice the light, it generally won’t be a problem. Finally, using a light helps avoid the problem of being blinded by other lights and makes you much more visible to others. Riding in the dark without a light is not smart. I have become a reciprocator. If an opposing rider covers or averts their light, I assume mine is bothering them and do likewise, but I leave enough light coming through to see at least the edge of the trail.

    #1100824
    mstone
    Participant

    @ginacico 193677 wrote:

    Not putting myself at risk for some really questionable etiquette.

    “Questionable etiquette” is a key phrase here. Among some it’s become important to be seen dramatically taking action to fiddle with a headlight. These people get angry if they can’t see someone actively fiddling with their light when passing–regardless of the whether the light is bright, or dim, or well aimed or poorly aimed–because they think it’s “polite” to do so and “impolite” to not do so. I think everyone should actively reject this fashion–DO NOT TOUCH YOUR HEADLIGHT WHEN PASSING PEOPLE. Advocating light-fiddling as a social norm is downright dangerous: people should have both hands on their handlebars and be focused on not colliding, not waving a hand around and fiddling with their headlight when passing someone. Advocating for well aimed and well designed headlights is much more productive, and safer.

    #1100823
    EasyRider
    Participant

    @ursus 193687 wrote:

    Can someone mention at least one light with a cutoff pattern? I am unfamiliar with this.

    Yes, Peter White Cycles has them, and other online retailers do too. I use a B&M Ixon IQ, which is battery powered, and doesn’t require a generator hub. It uses AA rechargeables, but you don’t need to remove them to charge, you just plug the entire unit into the wall with an AC adapter. If you want to do a long night ride, you can just carry spare batteries with you. You can also buy additional mounts so you can use the light on more than one bike. Mounts for handelbars/rack nubs are available. It costs more than a Cygolite, and it’s physically larger. But I think it’s worth $100, if you’re going to use it every night from October through March, year after year. I’ve used mine for the last two winters, no problem. I do carry a cheap Cygolite as backup, but I’ve never needed it.

    #1100822
    DrP
    Participant

    Perhaps getting back to topic here …. a few missed connections over the past 1.5 weeks.

    Encounter one:
    Me: riding south on the MVT approaching the first left by the Merchant Marine memorial. I stick my left arm out to indicate a turn and pull if back quick to use my brakes.
    You: Walking the trail with a back pack, dressed like a hiker. See me stick my arm out and point, so starts to randomly point at the sky, a tree, the ground, etc.
    Me: “I am signaling a left turn” and shake my head in wonder.

    Encounter two:
    Us (I am with a cycling buddy): Northbound on 4MRT approaching the ford south of Glen Carlyn park. We see you (group of three teens) heading south and we make sure that we are on the right side of the trail and ford.
    First teen: cycling pretty far to your left, but manages to see us and move over in time
    Second teen: cycling even further to the left and moves just barely when about to hit the first of us (who is pretty far over to the right at this point, but not wanting to fall off the ford – that one is high).
    Us: “STAY TO YOUR RIGHT”
    Third teen: manages to be at the center of the ford rather than left of center.

    Doesn’t anyone teach people to stay to the right?

    Third encounter (after dark, before 8pm):
    Me: exiting the Custis at Harrison from the east. Seeing a car from the left heading north, I stop before I enter the street (I plan to turn right/north), and wait, turning my head to the right to indicate that I am waiting for you to go. I know that you will need to pass me if I go, so better to wait the few seconds.
    You: stop before the curb cut and wait.
    Me: still looking North.
    You: waiting and eventually honking.
    Me: I indicate with my left arm that I am turning right/north, while still looking away.
    You: wait, then go, shouting out your window “Listen, {BLEEP}, I was trying to do you a favor!!!” Then proceeds to speed up Harrison.
    Me: “And I was trying to do you one by not making you pass me” but she was already two streets away. I did wonder if she ever looked in her mirror and noticed I was behind her.

    Why do people get so angry for not allowing them to do you a “favor”?

    #1100841
    Drewdane
    Participant

    @consularrider 193675 wrote:

    Actually, yes it would. My light is dynamo power and sits just above the front wheel so I’d likely do an endo if I reached down to cover it.

    So that guy was definitely just being a dork, then. In my experience at least, dynamo lights tend to be mounted close enough to the ground that the only way they could blind someone would be if they were tilted up (rendering them useless to the cyclist), or the oncoming trail user is a either small child or a “little person” (I think that’s the currently appropriate term).

    #1100846
    Judd
    Participant

    @Drewdane 193716 wrote:

    So that guy was definitely just being a dork, then. In my experience at least, dynamo lights tend to be mounted close enough to the ground that the only way they could blind someone would be if they were tilted up (rendering them useless to the cyclist), or the oncoming trail user is a either small child or a “little person” (I think that’s the currently appropriate term).

    The other time I sometimes see a problem is when there’s a hill involved which changes all the light angles.

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

    #1100847
    dcv
    Participant

    @ginacico 193677 wrote:

    Last night I was driving my way out of backwoods Manassas on a twisty, hilly, 2-lane road with zero street lights and no shoulders. There were lots of cars coming the other direction (half of which forgot to dim their high beams). Did I politely turn off my headlights for every one of them? No. Because passing each other in pitch darkness seems stupid.

    I love this, it’s a perfect response.

    Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

    #1100852
    ginacico
    Participant

    @dcv 193721 wrote:

    I love this, it’s a perfect response.

    Thanks dcv.

    Goes w/o saying the consequences are worse if colliding with an oncoming ton of steel at high speeds.

    I freak out for the opposite reason. On a dark trail at night, see an oncoming cyclist. Suddenly he disappears, having “politely” covered his headlight. WTF where’d he go?!? How am I supposed to avoid hitting someone I can’t see? Am I past him yet? Terrifying. Far worse if I reciprocate and we’re both groping around in the dark with only one hand on the controls. I just don’t get why we’ve developed different protocols for driving cars and riding bikes. The answer, as mstone says, is because we’ve made up this dumb rule as a twitchy reaction to bad designs and lazy adjustment, then berate each other for not doing the light-fiddling gymnastics. Please stop.

    I’ve had dozens of those scorching flashlights with diffuse beams (the most recent one was literally branded as Scorch 2.0, bright af). If they’re bright enough to light my way, they’re obnoxious for anyone coming toward me. Maybe we should pass out index cards and rubber bands to jury rig hoods over the darn things. Count me in for advocating for better designs even if it means, like Germany, we institute some new standards.

    Last night we rode a fast trip down the W&OD from the Custis, after dusk. Of those oncoming cyclists who had headlights on, about half of them were too bright or pointing askew or flashing (looking at you, CaBi bikes). Not once did my outrage get triggered. My visibility was excellent, so I just kept my hands on the bars and watched my lane, not even bothering to reduce my speed except while passing pedestrians**. Just like driving country roads at night.

    Invest in a decent headlight, use a wall* to adjust where it’s pointing. No strobe, set it and forget it. Ride with two hands on the bars and eyes on your lane, cool as a cucumber.

    *Did this on the 14th St bridge at night. We discovered if it’s not busy, the concrete and white railings are ideal for illuminating the beam. Take a friend.

    **Extra kudos to the many runners wearing those neon lights that are like an X-shaped vest, who were highly visible and didn’t flinch as we flew by. You all earn my respect.

Viewing 15 posts - 5,266 through 5,280 (of 5,363 total)
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