40 mph & 20/500+ vision...

[Cassandra_Cain]

So this past saturday I did the usual - the big mountain climb in the Sandias. I do this ride every week but this time something a bit unnerving happened.

It was 28 degrees at the summit and the descent is pretty high speed, between 30-40mph for 14 miles. Anyway, about 1/4 of the way down I could barely see and then realized I had lost a contact - now that was harrowing

My eyesight is bad, real bad. I have glasses but do not wear them for cycling. I wear sunglasses (pretty standard Ryders brand) and contacts.

A friend suggested ski goggles but that seemed bulky whereas she then mentioned regular goggles, ala swimming. Seems worth considering...

For those of you who have dealt with going fast downhill - any suggestions on how to avoid this whole losing a contact business?

It is hard enough with 2 good eyes, much less without a contact!

[Kitsune06]

This is my fear, too... I have yet to *get* said contacts, but the idea of suddenly losing one on the trail is a scary prospect... and like you, VERY bad vision. I'm thinking very close-fitting, snug glasses. If you're looking for 'cheap' just to get an idea, check out uvex Genesis for ~$14. Very snug, and are used for chemical/splatter/spray protection in the facility I'm working in. I've heard good road reviews for them, too.

[Bicyclette]

I have no helpful suggestions on how to avoid losing your contact lens -

I too wear contacts for riding and although I have not lost one yet (knock on wood) the wind really makes my eyes cloud and tear so I can barely see...

Kit - I checked out those glasses and I am definitely going to try them - for that price how can you go wrong!!! and they come in colors!! - thanx so much for suggesting them

[spokewench]

I wore contact lenses and sun glasses for about 20 years cycling and only lost a contact once. So, I took my chances.

You might try a different set of sunglasses, some block more wind than others.

Any kind of closed goggle, will probably just fog up so bad you won't be able to see anyway. Your sweat just collects like a terrarium on your glasses.

I finally decided to do lasix - actually just had recorrection surgery on Friday to get my eyes to where they need to be. (i was legally blind before I had the first surgery last December). Yahoo freedom from glasses and contacts !

[Veronica]

I've lost contacts twice on descents of Diablo. I wear dailys so I carry an extra set with me.

V.

[Bluetree]

Any kind of closed goggle, will probably just fog up so bad you won't be able to see anyway. Your sweat just collects like a terrarium on your glasses.

That got me thinking about the goggles the jockeys wear. They are clear, lightweight wraparounds that are mostly closed to keep out all the dirt getting kicked in their faces. The goggles have tiny vents on the tops or sides. I don't know where they get them, though.

I finally decided to do lasix - actually just had recorrection surgery on Friday to get my eyes to where they need to be. (i was legally blind before I had the first surgery last December). Yahoo freedom from glasses and contacts !

Welcome to the club. It's sure a liberating feeling isn't it!?

[miffy'sFuji]

bluetree, what a good idea.

I found this website...
http://www.kroop.com/

their googles are used my motorcyclists and mountain bikers.

Cassandra, I'm glad you're okay.

[Cassandra_Cain]

Hi - thanks for all your responses.

It had never happened to me either, losing a contact while riding that is. Perhaps it was just the combination of being a) bloody cold and b) right knackered!

I'm thinking about goggles. I had thought of swimmers but one of you keenly mentioned jockeys. Well they go plenty fast and have to see where they are going so maybe that's a possibility. It would strictly be downhill, so maybe I can avoid the sweat/fog problem, then again, I may have to test it out somewhere.

I respect those of you opting for corrective surgery but I really don't mind wearing contacts and glasses at all. I just need them, the glasses and contacts, to stay on!

[Bluetree]

bluetree, what a good idea.

I found this website...
http://www.kroop.com/

their googles are used my motorcyclists and mountain bikers.

Cassandra, I'm glad you're okay.

That's what they're like! I've also noticed jockeys wearing them in layers when the tracks are muddy. So much slop gets kicked up that they start the race with three or four goggles, one on top of each other. As the goggles get dirty, they just slip each one down to their necks so they have a clean one underneath.

[Red Haired Girl]

I have to agree, there is a possibility for goggle fogging, but as a downhill skier I haven't had my goggles fog up much at all (and only then when I was using cheap goggles). I like the idea of the jockey goggles (and hadn't even considered them...even though I live in the middle of NC horse country).

And I hadn't thought of the MB goggles either...

Take care, all y'all,
Lara

[redhot3368]

Lasik!!! I had Lasik in January 2006 and it was the best thing I did.
I lost a contact once mtn biking, then one time, sunscreen dripped into my eyes with the contacts on and it was horrible.
I am SOOO glad I got lasik done, I highly recommend it!!

[roshelleuop]

I accidentally came across this answer. My DH and I used to own Harleys and for those who ride without helmets (I know I know ) you know that the air will blow behind your sunglasses and make your eyes water really bad, especially on the freeway to the point where you can't see.

So, DH and I bought these sunglasses that were auto-tint and had a piece that connects (and can be taken off) that is like a cusioun between the glasses and the eyes. There are vented, so they do not fog up, but still block all wind and would probably even catch a contact if it popped out for any reason.

DH and I decided to sell both Harleys (too dangerous now that we are married). I still have the glassess and they are now my everyday cycling glassess. When I go for a nice short ride, I'll take out the wind blocker piece, but if I go for a long one where I know there will be lots of hills, I put them in. Sorry to say they were about $150, but that is becuase I got the auto-tint ones. I'm sure there are some less expensive. I'm not sure of the brand, but I got them at a Harley Davidson Store.

Roshelle from Milwaukee

[Python]

I wear contact lenses too. Although I haven't been that fast on a bike - yet (did clock 22mph yesterday) have been out in high winds and not had a problem. I've got Bausch & Lomb Purevision lenses which do cover a largish part of the eyes (they're very comfortable and I can leave them in for a month at a time without taking them out). Perhaps the lens wasn't fitting as well as it should.

I had a pair of specs once that the frame had a fault in. I was riding my motorbike at the time when the frame went "pop", out fell the lens and I won't say what I said - it's unprintable. Fortunately, I'm long-sighted so was able to make it home OK (just couldn't read the speedo properly). It's really scary though.

[Bluetree]

...but one of you keenly mentioned jockeys. Well they go plenty fast and have to see where they are going so maybe that's a possibility

And they stay on your head, too!

http://heraldleader.typepad.com/phot...ndsmg001_1.jpg

[SouthernBelle]

Have you considered prescription sunglasses or googles?