Road Cycling Essentials

[Richie]

I now know the value of good lights after last Sat... I had posted this in the Big Bike thread:

Came back from my folks tonight along the usual cyclepath. Had some catseye flashers on as there is about 1/4mile of road at each end I need to go on and I don't want knocked down.

I knew the CatsEye things wouldnt light up my way but I forgot how pitch black it is in the countryside. Thankfully the cyclepath is pretty straight as I was navigating the 3 miles almost blind God help if anyone else was on the path as I would have wiped them out

I shall need to invest in some proper lights I think...

Really could have caused some damage TBH

 

[[DOD]Asprilla]

I've got an Exposure Flash at the front which is amazing, but after nearly cleaning up a jogger in Richmond Park last week (head to toe in black with no reflectives in the darkest part of the darkest place in London at night, go figure) I splashed out on an Exposure Strada with remote dip switch. It's brilliant. Literally.

 

[Mr Flibble]

My exposure strada was also awesome. Had some problems with it and about to return it, and the support has been excellent so far. Pricey, but great. Was easily good enough to navigate pitch black country roads out to southend at 0600 on saturday on the dim setting, let alone "full beam".

 

[[DOD]Asprilla]

Who are you returning it to? I've got an issue with one of my Exposure Flares where a knock on the back will change its mode, including turning it off. Dunno whether to cOntact Wiggle or Exposure first.

 

[George Hincapie]

Just had an e-mail from Wiggle. £10 off if you spend more than £75 on in stock items before 1400 hrs on 08 Nov 11. Use code UK10.

 

[Mr Flibble]

Who are you returning it to? I've got an issue with one of my Exposure Flares where a knock on the back will change its mode, including turning it off. Dunno whether to cOntact Wiggle or Exposure first.

I've been dealing with Exposure directly as I wasn't sure what the problem was to start with (whether it related to the charger, the strada or the red eye). They've decided just to take the whole lot back to figure it out.

 

[Jonny69]

Jonny69, it's time to sign up; http://www.hell.gb.com/

Also, as platypus isn't interested, do you want those mudguards?

Awesome. Nice heads up

Their site seems to be broken though, I can't seem to pick a time slot

Um, yep, I probably will take those mudguards. Switch to email and we can talk $$$ etc.

 

[[DOD]Asprilla]

Witnessed an accident this morning; cyclist with suspected dislocated shoulder.

Driver tried to leave the scene as well.

 

[platypus]

Just had an e-mail from Wiggle. £10 off if you spend more than £75 on in stock items before 1400 hrs on 08 Nov 11. Use code UK10.

Mother ******. I spent £90 there yesterday.

 

[platypus]

Cycling is like fighting a gorilla; you don't stop when you are tired.

.

 

[Nexus]

Mother ******. I spent £90 there yesterday.

E-mail them and tell them you forgot to enter the discount code.
They are pretty good like that.

 

[Jonny69]

Missed out on Hell of the Ashdown again. Sold out within 20 hours

 

[Participant]

I have a spare handlebar mount that you can have. However its not straight, so won't fit a helmet. If you go down that route (which I suggest) you want something like this. But the P7 will certainly be enough on your handlebars, its just so valuable having the light exactly where you're looking.

Very kind, I think I'll take you up on that and if I find that I still want a helmet light too, I'll buy another Lenzer as £30 seems fine. I'll contact you in trust for PayPal to cover postage.

Either what Platypus said or a Fenix torch like the £50 L2D or LD20 will be brighter than the Cateye. Running time for the L2D is just over an hour on two rechargeable AAs.

Yeah I have an LD20 and it's great, unfortunately it's the house torch and the wife doesn't want me nicking it . The battery life isn't as good as it should be on the Lenzer though. 1hr simply isn't enough for commuting purposes, I'd be changing the batteries every day. Though I could probably turn the power down, I don't like doing that .

 

[Mr Flibble]

Witnessed an accident this morning; cyclist with suspected dislocated shoulder.

Driver tried to leave the scene as well.

I had a small spill this morning. Ran out of talent while cornering and both wheels slipped away from me. Landed pretty hard on my right arm and I'm just back from A&E with about 20 stitches and a few chunks of road removed from under the skin. Got lots of roadrash elsewhere too. And ruined my gloves and a technical top too. The gloves at least saved my hands from any significant abrasion. Did bang my left median nerve pretty hard as I had tingley fingers for just over an hour. Oooooops

Wondering whether I should ride to work tomorrow.

 

[[DOD]Asprilla]

Unlucky Mr Flibble but on the plus side, chicks dig scars.

What this guy did to the car:

 

[Mr Flibble]

I've already got a scar on my face from the last time I ended up in A&E coming off my bike (about 10 years ago). This one should be more discrete. Sadly the chicks don't especially dig my other scar, and it's a nightmare shaving over/around (it's on my top lip). I have photos of my wound but am unsure whether to put it up on here.

Quite a hit doing that to a car! What happened exactly?

 

[[DOD]Asprilla]

Quite a hit doing that to a car! What happened exactly?

Riding down a main road with another cyclist about 10m in front of me. We are doing about 19mph. Silver car tries to directly cross the main road from right to left. Chap in front didn't stand a chance of avoiding.

 

[Mr Flibble]

You did well not to pile into the accident then! Owch.

PS Should your siggy say "arbitrary"?

 

[Participant]

PS Should your siggy say "arbitrary"?

It also says he's a moron so it's fine

PS yes post up your lip violence so we can laugh at your deformed face!

 

[touch]

I have photos of my wound but am unsure whether to put it up on here.

Post is useless, etc...