I think attention is my main problem. I can sometimes be so lost in thought while cycling that I can reach the end point and not actually recall any of the journey.

 

On my daily commuting route I regularly get to a red light or a give way and 'wake up', realising I've no recollection of the previous few minutes of cycling. I don't think that means I've been inattentive when I've been riding, just that there's been nothing to stimulate me from a relaxed state. The other week it happened at the top of the biggest hill on my route!

I'm certainly prone to getting that inattention loss of part of a car journey, but fortunately that mainly affected my commuting days and isn't a problem now I'm retired and do variable trips. From that I'd think it's the sheer routine sameness of the journey that makes one vulnerable.

 

The odd thing about those lost parts of journeys though, was that there was never an emergency incident during that period. Perhaps that unknowing state is conducive to calm and sensible driving.

 

John Franklin's book is certainly good and I fully agree with him about the necessity of dominance on the roads and painted cycle lanes, but he's very wrong on that mirror issue. It's a no-brainer, the slowest vehicles get overtaken the most and the differential speeds of overtaker and overtaken are the greatest. Therefore the danger from the rear is greatest for the slowest vehicles, and travelling on the road with one's greatest zone of danger mostly unseen is unwise to put it mildly. It's a battle out there, and no-one commanding a warship would only keep a lookout forward or have 180 degree radar.

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Edited August 29, 200817 yr by flecc

Agreed - I'm a complete convert to mirrors, have put them on all our bikes and feel lost without one. Having a mirror means I look behind me probably not less than ten times as frequently as without one.

The odd thing about those lost parts of journeys though, was that there was never an emergency incident during that period. Perhaps that unknowing state is conducive to calm and sensible driving.

.

 

I think it is that if there had been any incident, you would have instantly reverted to the 'alert' state. When it happens to me on my bike, a red light or a need to stop at a junction has always brought me back to full consciousness - so far!

Maybe Frank, but many years ago I used to regularly "lose" around half of a long commute across South London from the West End and regain conciousness as I arrived to stop at a newsagents. Goodness what used to bring me round for that stop, but it never failed!

.

Some observasions

 

Quote by Django.

 

......(along with climbers) have a saying - AOTGAOTT, which translates as All Of The Gear All Of The Time.

 

I was a rock climber/mountaineer for 40 years & I have never heard of this saying!

 

I wear a helmet, not because of protection, but I like the mirror which clips into it & the flashing rear light which clips onto the rear of the helmet. The helmet is a Bell which came with the mirror & rear light all in one package, I think from Wiggle.

 

Derrick - Llanberis

Quote by Django.

 

......(along with climbers) have a saying - AOTGAOTT, which translates as All Of The Gear All Of The Time.

 

I was a rock climber/mountaineer for 40 years & I have never heard of this saying!

 

I wear a helmet, not because of protection, but I like the mirror which clips into it & the flashing rear light which clips onto the rear of the helmet. The helmet is a Bell which came with the mirror & rear light all in one package, I think from Wiggle.

 

Derrick - Llanberis

 

Snap !!!

 

Did you get the clip-on raincover too?

 

John

Reply to John

 

Snap !!!

 

Did you get the clip-on raincover too?

 

John

 

Yes! But find it to difficult to put on, there's not enough stretch in it, so I don't use it.

Perhaps my fingers/wrists aren't strong enough?

 

Derrick - Llanberis

Quote by Django.

 

......(along with climbers) have a saying - AOTGAOTT, which translates as All Of The Gear All Of The Time.

 

I was a rock climber/mountaineer for 40 years & I have never heard of this saying!

 

Derrick - Llanberis

 

If you had been a climber for just five years, you might have!

 

Then again, perhaps I just inhabit the wrong (US biased) forums.

Maybe Frank, but many years ago I used to regularly "lose" around half of a long commute across South London from the West End and regain conciousness as I arrived to stop at a newsagents. Goodness what used to bring me round for that stop, but it never failed!

.

 

It is definately the repetative and mundane nature of communiting the same route everyday that causes the unconscious cycling state in me too. We can only hope that there is something that would bring us back to an alert state if a dangerous situation was developing. I doubt many mountain bikers who just rode down a mountain say to each other 'I can't really remember the trip'!

 

I actually think some people are more prone to this than others, its a bit like wondering if you've locked the back door when you've gone out. Of course you have locked it because you did it automatically but there's always that nagging doubt.

Yes! But find it to difficult to put on, there's not enough stretch in it, so I don't use it.

Perhaps my fingers/wrists aren't strong enough?

 

Derrick - Llanberis

 

Yes it is a bit tricky Derek, but you can do it and its worth it in the rain

 

John

Yes it is a bit tricky Derek, but you can do it and its worth it in the rain

 

John

Living in Llanberis I'd expect it's not worth removing the rain cover!

I was unaware that you could get helmets with mirrors fitted until I read derrick7's post - seemed like a good idea so I had a look to see what was available.

 

The Bell Metro with accessories comes in at £50 and it looks ok (I'm no racer and it'll be used mainly for short in town commutes) but that still left me with one other problem which I haven't seen mentioned on any of the threads here - tears!

 

When I start riding the wind in my eyes seems to make them water like blazes and I've been thinking about using a pair of safety glasses to stop this happening - am I the only one with this problem? Also a few weeks back I was riding in the country on a lovely sunny day [yes, we do get them now and then ] and the amount of tiny wee flys that got into my eyes was incredible!

 

So while I was looking at helmets with mirrors I came across a mirror that fits onto glasses and my thinking now is that this fitted to the safety glasses would solve both my problems - has anybody else tried one of these mirrors?

So while I was looking at helmets with mirrors I came across a mirror that fits onto glasses and my thinking now is that this fitted to the safety glasses would solve both my problems - has anybody else tried one of these mirrors?

I've not tried these but I do find that heavy glasses get tiresome very quickly, I imagine having a mirror sticking out into the wind and pulling on them would make them very uncomfortable.

Cycling glasses do not need to cost a lot, I recently bought a variety of shades in Aldi for about £3 each.

Take a Look cyclist's mirror, scroll down the page.

I emailed Gregory and asked for the RIGHT hand standard version.

It weighs 5 grams, is adjustable on the move and is easily removed.

A helmet adapter is available.

The mirror made of acrylic.

 

I don't know how to create a small link but the address of the actual page is rather long.

 

Dave

 

eBay Seller: gr8bikes4u: Sporting Goods items on eBay.co.uk

That's exactly what I had in mind - this is one I found in UK that looks pretty good:

 

Cycleaware Glasses Mounted Mirror | Mirrors - Cycle | Cycle - Cycle Sports UK

A good and apparently objective review of mirrors, including the one in your link on this site.

For many years I used a relatively small circular mirror on my glasses but I am now an adherent of the larger rectangular format.

 

Cycling Mirrors

 

Dave

..and heres a picture of the Bell Metro Helmet mirror.

 

http://media.rei.com/media/711135_9996Lrg.jpg

 

It clips on either side, and folds away into the grove on the helmet when not in use

 

John

I am very pleased with my Mirrycle mirror - Mirrycle Mountain Mirrycle Mirror for Straight Handlebars

 

It gives a clear, vibration-free, stable image and I can't believe I've ridden so long without one. I thought it might be scary seeing artics bearing down on me but the opposite is true and I only wish I'd fitted one ages ago.

That was a great article Orraman which gave a really unbiased opinion accross the whole range of mirrors. I've decided to go for the glasses mounted so I've ordered the Cycleaware because it's the only unit I can find being sold in the UK. I would have chosen the same one as you but was wary about the UK/US fitting - I'll be very interested in how you get with yours.

 

The Bell helmet setup looks good and I might migrate up when/if I become more accepting of wearing a helmet [takes a long time for us old fogies to learn new tricks ]

 

Great forum guys - very helpful for us newcomers!

My biggest fear on the road has always been that some unattentive 4x4 dickhead will wipe me out from behind. Having a mirror seems to confirm this fear as I have lost count of the number of times I have glanced in the mirror only to see a giant 4x4 with it's nose right up my ass. Just when I think I'm toast it pulls out and overtake's and in doing so gives me a little push with its bow wave.

 

Up until last weekend I had all but given in to fate and set myself to just wait until the inevitable happens.

 

However, as luck would have it last Saturday I went to my local Lidl Store and they had some cheap cycle battery lights (the flashing LED type). As a sort of half-hearted effort I fitted them to the bike, turned them on and set off for Tesco's along the by-pass.

 

Wow, what a difference. Almost every vehicle seemed to think I was a lorry (or something) and gave me bags of space. On the way back I forgot to turn them on and once again the 4x4's were? - You know where

 

I was really surprised at the effect they had. So from now on, I will have these flashing (on your face) lights on everytime I am out on the fast open roads (day or night).

 

That's one more primary safety for me

.

Edited September 2, 200817 yr by Footie

.... I often make a point of avoiding eye contact and using my peripheral vision ....

 

Likewise, I avoid eye contact with drivers. I find it takes too long and distracts me.

 

Instead I focus on the vehicles; indicators (are any flashing, which way), speed (beware when too fast, beware when too slow - may stop suddenly), bodywork angle (hard cornering, too fast, left or right tilt - can give an indication of intended direction of travel), angle of front wheel's (left, right, straight on), size (am I safe, do I have to move over a little), trailer (beware of wide trailers with over-hangs).

 

This is all assessed in a glance.

 

The only time I ever look towards the driver is when none of the above has convinced me, which way the vehicle is going. When I do look at the driver it's to see what angle the drivers face is facing, that's usually where they are going - but not always

 

I always proceed with caution when the face is fixed on the dashboard (gps) or the passenger (navigator) - most likely means their lost and likely to do something stupid

.

Edited September 3, 200817 yr by Footie

Likewise, I avoid eye contact with drivers. I find it takes too long and distracts me.

 

Instead I focus on the vehicles; indicators (are any flashing, which way), speed (beware when too fast, beware when too slow - may stop suddenly), bodywork angle (hard cornering, too fast, left or right tilt - can give an indication of intended direction of travel), angle of front wheel's (left, right, straight on), size (am I safe, do I have to move over a little), trailer (beware of wide trailers with over-hangs).

 

I do use eye contact but watch the vehicle as well. Vehicles have body language as well, just as you say, and it all adds up to more safety.

.

My biggest fear on the road has always been that some unattentive 4x4 dickhead will wipe me out from behind. Having a mirror seems to confirm this fear as I have lost count of the number of times I have glanced in the mirror only to see a giant 4x4 with it's nose right up my ass. Just when I think I'm toast it pulls out and overtake's and in doing so gives me a little push with its bow wave.

 

Up until last weekend I had all but given in to fate and set myself to just wait until the inevitable happens.

 

However, as luck would have it last Saturday I went to my local Lidl Store and they had some cheap cycle battery lights (the flashing LED type). As a sort of half-hearted effort I fitted them to the bike, turned them on and set off for Tesco's along the by-pass.

 

Wow, what a difference. Almost every vehicle seemed to think I was a lorry (or something) and gave me bags of space. On the way back I forgot to turn them on and once again the 4x4's were? - You know where

 

I was really surprised at the effect they had. So from now on, I will have these flashing (on your face) lights on everytime I am out on the fast open roads (day or night).

 

That's one more primary safety for me

.

 

Are you actually saying that you are genuinely SURPRISED that motorists give you more room when you have lights fitted? Who'd have thought eh......One possibility, now I may be being a bit radical here......is that they can see you better? Just a thought.

 

Oh and for the record the flashing ones one their own are illegal. They are only legal when accompanied by a standard rear light also. I personally think the flashing ones are better, just passing on information.

 

Oh and for the record the flashing ones one their own are illegal. They are only legal when accompanied by a standard rear light also. I personally think the flashing ones are better, just passing on information.

 

Not strictly speaking true. You can have flashing on their own or steady - the law was changed a few years ago to allow flashing lights (previously they were illegal to have on your bike at all). There are all sorts of complications, such as if it has a steady mode as well as flashing then it must conform to British Standards etc.

 

Lighting Regulations

Edited September 3, 200817 yr by HarryB