[MCL1981]

I think the realistic solution right now is to just slow down regardless of perceived conditions. The problem is not going to go away anytime soon. Also, I agree the slime that grows in shaded areas is just as bad if not worse. And that effects pavement too. I was coming down a long steep hill in the woods on a path from Aspen Hill into Rock Creek. It is a paved but very old trail. I really thought it was all over. I essentially could not brake at all. Any amount of brake application was locking them up, even the front! My only choice was roll with it picking up speed the whole way down like a run away train or dump the bike. There was a tree down across part of the trail (of course…) that left me just a sliver of trail to get around. I don’t know how I didn’t wipe out and break every bone in my body. I know better now and recognize that hazard.

[MCL1981]

I said they would have to come get me (like, a tow or a lift), not come rescue me. The music helped me pull myself through a tough situation when the weather conditions changed rapidly. The alternative would have been not pushing through it and needing a tow or a lift. Music motivates me to keep moving on my bike as well.

I call my passes when necessary. I look behind me before I “shift lanes”. Already more than most people do with or without headphones. I’m prepared to stop at stop signs, red lights, intersections, etc, which is also more than a lot of “professional riders” with or without earphones. If I’m on the road, I act as if I’m on a bicycle not a tank and don’t pretend to own the road. More than a lot of “professional riders” without earphones. I run my front and rear flashing lights during the day to better grab the attention of other runners and cyclists who are in lala land, which I never see anyone else do. The speed limit on the CCT is 15 for a reason and I respect that. Yep. I’m really dangerous.

I still hear most cars, bells, and horns behind me. I still hear the sounds of chains and sprockets behind me. Not sure what else you think I need to hear behind me. Sure I don’t hear very quiet or distance sounds. Nor do I care. If a Prius is going to sneak up behind me and run my ass over, it is going to be successful with or without music. At least I’ll go down hearing something besides by own femur cracking.

[MCL1981]

@Mark Blacknell 8564 wrote:

Riding with both headphones in on the streets/trails makes you not just a danger to yourself, but others.

Your generalization is simply wrong. Pointing out a bunch of people who are in their own little lala land and claiming therefore anyone with earphones in must be in lala land is completely wrong. If they’re inattentive with music, they’d be inattentive without music. They’e just inattentive people. The music is irrelevant.

In fact I would go as far as saying that me riding around with earphones in, I’m still a safer rider than a lot of people without them. I see a lot more “professional riders” all geared up (without earphones) playing king of the road and trail than I see la la land riders. The arrogant rider is much more significant problem than the distracted rider as far as I’m concerned.

[MCL1981]

I’d like out that wearing earphones is not a distraction. If one is distracted by music in earphones, then they would be distracted without them too. I wear earphones with music while cycling and kayaking. And for me, it is a serious necessity to keep me going too. I can tell you if I didn’t have it one afternoon in April, the harbor patrol would have had to come get me because I wouldn’t have made it back to the boathouse. My usual 30 mile bike rides would get very mundane without it quickly and I would probably take the metro back home after 15.

[MCL1981]

Could the generator be connected in parallel to a battery?

[MCL1981]

I have a GoPro and I love it. I have a mount on my handlebars, the front fork, and helmet. It isn’t the perfect cycling camera, but I also use for skiing, water sports, and aviation. It is extremely versatile for all of those other tasks as well so I like it. I have no experience with the Contour.

[MCL1981]

I think if you’re going to be on a public trail sharing your personal space with many other people, you should be using headphones rather than a speaker.

[MCL1981]

Well ya. I’m one of them. But I’m acutely aware that 200lb vs 2000lb is not the place for testosterone.

[MCL1981]

It’s actually a miracle more of the arrogant shitheads don’t get killed. Seems to me like being arrogant on a bicycle is somewhat misplaced.

[MCL1981]

I think you’ll find there are already lots of people commuting by that route.

[MCL1981]

Thanks. I’m sore as hell. As soon as I can get around enough to work on it, I’ll be lighting the night and post pictures.

[MCL1981]

Being the tinkering person that I am, I have a different plan for lighting the night. I’m going to work on this in the next few weeks once I’m mobile again (just had back surgery yesterday…).

This on the front
http://www.strobesnmore.com/sound-off-500-lumen-led-par36-flood-light.html
http://www.strobesnmore.com/able-2-led-flasher.html

This on the back in red
http://www.strobesnmore.com/strobes-n-more-e4-super-led.html

I’m going to put two small 12 volt batteries in series on the rack in the back to run the system at 24v to keep the amps down. Small control panel on the handlebars which turn the rear on and off and also switch the front between off, on, and flash.

[MCL1981]

I generally handle stop signs and red signals in a similar manner. I slow and I’m prepared and able to stop at the signal. However, if I can clearly see that the intersection is safe to cross, I keep rolling without stopping. Careening into an intersection against a red signal or stop sign without the ability to stop at the signal is suicide. Or at best, it’s stupid, especially if there is a police officer sitting there waiting for you .

@Tim Kelley 3066 wrote:

I ride past the same spot and noticed the officer this morning as well (wearing a bullet proof vest?!).

Most officers wear their vests all day every day. Normally it us UNDER their uniform so you don’t see it. If he was wearing it outside the uniform, it is probably due to being a temporary assignment and he doesn’t normally wear one all day (like working in the office for example).

[MCL1981]

I’ve been working my way down the list calling and e-mailing. Unfortunately my family was in town all last week and this past weekend so I haven’t had a lot of spare time. Now that they’re all gone, I’m hoping to have more time to hunt down a shop. I already know that the downtown City Bikes, Revolution Cycles, and Rollin’ Cycles can not due to staffing and space. I’m hoping to hear back from the AdMo and Chevy Chase City Bikes today and work my way further down the list.

[MCL1981]

Anyone? Anyone? Bueler?

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