Reflections on my first darkness “commute”
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Today, I found myself in a scheduling bog with a jammed calendar and a need to get one of my cars to the mechanic for repairs.
So, I resolved to drive the car to the mechanic at 5:30AM with my bike in the trunk and then “commute” the 5 mile return home in the dark to get ready for work.
I was a little intimidated, but I’m thinking – “I’ve got my LCI, what’s the big deal”.
Conditions: Low 60’s, Dense Fog
Well, it went fine, but here are my reflections:
- 1) Canari Hi Vis Jackets are worthless for darkness commutes without some serious reflective tape. I opted for my much less ventilated and more reflective Nike Storm-Fit jacket on the assumption that being uncomfortable from being too hot was preferable to being in pain from getting hit.
- 2) Lighting: Fresh batteries make a BIG difference in brightness. I had a fiz’ik seat light, a Blackburn front light, two glowing bracelets on my left leg, and two flashers clipped to the back of my jacket. One flasher was barely visible because of older batteries.
- 3) A bright Blackburn with flashers may make me more visible, but considerably more lumens are needed to enable me to see the road clearly
- 4) Even well lit areas have very dark places due to trees, space between street lights, etc
- 5) EVERYTHING LOOKS AND SOUNDS DIFFERENT IN THE DARK!
- 6) Fog on eye glasses is treacherous! VERY TREACHEROUS! The droplets reflect all light and severely restrict visibility Fogged up glasses are even worse!
- 7) There are no races when commuting in the dark! Steady and carefule gets to the finish.
This was a good experience to make me comprehend what it really takes to do a real commute.
If you don't grow where you're planted, you'll never BLOOM - Will Rogers