Question about Pedals

[missliz]

Zefal makes good stuff, I have some of their blinky lights. Performance has a tech desk, you can call the order number during the day and ask for technical assistance, they'll explain it to you. A lot of lights have ingenious multi type attachmants and can be used different ways. My favorite has a clip for a pack or jacket and an adapter for attaching to the seat post- this is a red one for the rear. If you want to really make a statement, get two different brands for different spots, they'll flash at different rates and absolutley force the traffic to notice you.
Front lights I don't know much about, I use a white blinky light on my handlebars so they can see me, but I ride a suspended MT bike for night commuting and use night vision, I think it's safer. Course, ther's lots of street lights. All front lights have a bracket that goes on the handlebars and requires a screwdriver to install. Ask the performance people about battery life and stuff, the headlights use them up faster.
Most of these guys are a peice of cake to install, and also excellent wear for dance clubs and big costume parties. Enjoy.

missliz

So you have NO interest in feeling up Italian cycling gods at all?

[goddess1222]

grab a couple dog bones on your way out the door and tape them to your stem with masking tape. break one off when they come runnin'.

[MightyMitre]

MissLiz - don't panic, I'm with you for the 'hands on' Italian cycling experience! Just give me the where and when and I'll be there!

One suggestion about back lights though, people have mentioned having them on a flashing setting, but I prefer to keep them on a continual setting .

Having seen cyclists when I've been in the car, especially when the traffic is very busy with lots of break lights going on and off, I think a flashing bike light can sometimes blend in with the flashing break lights and make it harder to distingush between rider and car.

These are just my thoughts - I guess it depends where you ride and when but personally I prefer my lights set to full on. What's everyone else think?

Hill Nelly :

- I used to have to ride past some dogs to get to work and I used to keep a couple of broken bits of biscuit in my pocket which I'd throw to them as I went past. Scarry!

Althought - can I see the possibilities of some evil, interval type training plan, involving lining a route with savage dogs ever mile or so to improve speed work as you have to hare past them....

[missliz]

Well, the idea of two lights that flash at different rates for that disco effect is meant to counter getting lost in the traffic. Mine flash at almost strobe light tempo. Different things work for different people though, so you should do what you're comfortable with. That's why the lights come with both flash and steady settings. Everybody gets what they feel best with.

missliz

You know, the inFamous Jaquie Phelan is teaching a MT biking camp in Italy this summer- a good excuse to go there and cruise velo hotties. Perhaps the stars are aligning for my Italian television debut. I always wanted to take one of her courses and I really need to go to Italy, pagan spiritual needs thing. A little wombatting around would be fun. Just need a buyer for a kidney to finance it...

[Veronica]

Flashing lights are illegal in a lot of states. For that reason they aren't allowed in the Brevet series and some organized double centuries also forbid their use. We're planning on doing a night 200 K in July. We have to get the non flashing lights. Bummer is that they are also more expensive.

Now for commuting use - would a cop pull you over and ticket you? I suppose it depends on how seriously it's enforced in your area. If I were commuting I'd be lit up like a Christmas Tree.

Hokey spokes are legal though.

http://www.hokeyspokes.com/


Veronica

[MightyMitre]

Sorry MissLiz - would love to help you out with the kidney but I've already go two of my own. I'll bear it in mind though

Veronica - flashing lights are illegal in some states? That's pretty harsh - you'd think they'd be pleased people had any lights at all.

There's an equally silly situation in the UK - lights made from LED's are by far the brightest and more easily seen, but they're illegal as they don't comply to some crazy British Safety Standard. ( Lots of people still use them though)
The ones that do comply are useless - they involve a regular bulb, need more batteries and are no way near as bright. But then in the UK a lot of people still think cyclist shouldn't be on the road. They don't seem to realise speeds of 25mph are quite possible on a road bike.

Ah - sorry about my rant. Back to Italian cyclists....

Just checked out the Hokey Spokey website. Cool!

[goddess1222]

hey mighty mitre, i am about to go way off topic here, but i wanted to extend my sorrow over the recent loss of some of your royal marines in the war. the fact that you are the only one fighting next to us does not go unnoticed. i have friends who live in england and their son is in the royal navy. my heart goes out to the people of your country and a thank you to you for believing in us as we fight for the freedom of so many who have not known freedom in a long time.

ok, i will now stay on topic. sorry ladies.

goddess1222

[Veronica]

The way the vehicle code reads is something like flashing lights are only for unusual hazards. But I've never heard of anyone being ticketed for it. I only read about it when we were doing research on the brevet series. LEDs aren't allowed on the Paris-Brest-Paris ride either so they are highly discouraged in the brevets leading up to it.

I don't know - as sore as my butt was after 200 K and 8+ hours in the saddle, I can't imagine how people do 1200K.


Veronica

[Hill Nelly]

WOW. thanks, girls for really supplying alot of good and useful info on my lights question. Just wish I'd gotten back to the board here sooner....Been glued to to tube.(TV!)

Got a question for MityMitre: I Forgot what thread I saw this on, but I think you mentioned something about a female Tour de F.
Does it have a certain name and is there any kind of media or print coverage? I'd love to learn more about it and the route they take.

I will try tossing a few dog biscuits at my nemesis tomorrow. Just hope I don't turn into the Pied Piper and find I have a doggy fan club following me




Hope everyone can grab a bit of good weather this week for their rides! Bye for now.

[MightyMitre]

goddess1222 - thank you for your message re; the death of some of our soldiers. This is a subject most people have very strong opinions on so I think i'll steer clear for now, but thank you for your thougths.

Back to bikes...!


Hill Nelly - the Womens TdF is called La Grand Boucle Feminine which roughly translates as the big loop. It usually starts about a week after the mens one and lasts about 2 weeks. The stages aren't quite so long - usually about 4 or 5 hours rather than the 6 or 7 the men do . They have good coverage on French TV but I can't get it in England . Having never been to see it for myself i don't know if it's as high profile as the mens race but it's certainly ridden in the same spirit.

Try this website - it's the official Womens Tour de france website but unfortunatly it's in French www.velo-feminin.com or for some good pictures try this one - it's a bit strange . www.geocities.com/jeanpba . You need to scroll down to nearly the bottom of the first page and look for La Grand Boucle Feminine a Grenoble. It's got a "New" logo flashing next to it.

I'd also like to find out more myself as I'll be in France at some point this summer and would like to catch it. If I find out any more - or anything that's not in French I'll post it here.