bikes in Cambridge

On Fri, 22 Oct 2010 06:47:46 +0100, Phil W Lee
wrote:

snip


I keep the headlight that doesn't have a nice sharp cutoff as main
beam, and position it so that the button is right next to my thumb, so
I can switch it off when it would dazzle oncoming road users, leaving
only the dipped beam equivalent light and the 5 led flashing marker at
the front.
The conical beam light also has a flexible mounting so I can aim it
low and flick it and thus convey to passing large vehicles by flashing
it when they have cleared me and can safely move back in, for which I
get an alternate indicator flash of acknowledgement.
The rear facing leds are mounted in the handlebar ends (2 flashing
each side), a mixture of 5 and 3 led rear lights (one incorporating a
full rear reflector on the back of the rack), and 4 flashing leds on
each arm and ankle band (2 rear and 32 side on each),
The head torch I generally keep on low, as it's handy to be able to
see my computer and is available to deal with any mechanicals where
the ability to use both hands is a benefit.

I do have rear and pedal reflectors, and wheel reflectors on one bike.
There is reflective material on rack pack, bar bag, and panniers, and
on the rear mudguard.

using rechargeable cells minimises the cost of all this - I use low
self discharge NiMH cells with 800mA/Hr for the AAAs and 2100mA/Hr for
the AAs.

So my lights are not ridiculously bright, but at the rear, cover a
large area to give a good idea of the size of my bike with me on it.


When the definition of a psycholist was written - the following was
very much tongue in cheek:

7) BSO : a bicycle shaped object. If someone's bicycle is not
top of the range, costing at least £500 with disc brakes, and at least
73 LEDs at the front and 67 when viewed from the rear, then it cannot
be called a bicycle. Anything bought from Halfrauds (sic) must be a
BSO.


I rest my case.

On 27/10/2010 19:57, JMS wrote:

When the definition of a psycholist was written - the following was
very much tongue in cheek:

7) BSO : a bicycle shaped object. If someone's bicycle is not
top of the range, costing at least £500 with disc brakes, and at least
73 LEDs at the front and 67 when viewed from the rear, then it cannot
be called a bicycle. Anything bought from Halfrauds (sic) must be a
BSO.

So now you're complaining that people invest in lights? Would you rather
they go around unlit?

I rest my case.

I very much doubt it.

"Clive George" wrote in message
o.uk...
On 27/10/2010 19:57, JMS wrote:

When the definition of a psycholist was written - the following was
very much tongue in cheek:

7) BSO : a bicycle shaped object. If someone's bicycle is not
top of the range, costing at least £500 with disc brakes, and at least
73 LEDs at the front and 67 when viewed from the rear, then it cannot
be called a bicycle. Anything bought from Halfrauds (sic) must be a
BSO.

So now you're complaining that people invest in lights? Would you rather
they go around unlit?

Nah, it gives it something to bitch about.

JMS wrote:
On Fri, 22 Oct 2010 06:47:46 +0100, Phil W Lee
wrote:

snip


I keep the headlight that doesn't have a nice sharp cutoff as main
beam, and position it so that the button is right next to my thumb,
so I can switch it off when it would dazzle oncoming road users,
leaving only the dipped beam equivalent light and the 5 led flashing
marker at the front.
The conical beam light also has a flexible mounting so I can aim it
low and flick it and thus convey to passing large vehicles by
flashing it when they have cleared me and can safely move back in,
for which I get an alternate indicator flash of acknowledgement.
The rear facing leds are mounted in the handlebar ends (2 flashing
each side), a mixture of 5 and 3 led rear lights (one incorporating a
full rear reflector on the back of the rack), and 4 flashing leds on
each arm and ankle band (2 rear and 32 side on each),
The head torch I generally keep on low, as it's handy to be able to
see my computer and is available to deal with any mechanicals where
the ability to use both hands is a benefit.

I do have rear and pedal reflectors, and wheel reflectors on one
bike. There is reflective material on rack pack, bar bag, and
panniers, and on the rear mudguard.

using rechargeable cells minimises the cost of all this - I use low
self discharge NiMH cells with 800mA/Hr for the AAAs and 2100mA/Hr
for the AAs.

So my lights are not ridiculously bright, but at the rear, cover a
large area to give a good idea of the size of my bike with me on it.


When the definition of a psycholist was written - the following was
very much tongue in cheek:

7) BSO : a bicycle shaped object. If someone's bicycle is not
top of the range, costing at least £500 with disc brakes, and at least
73 LEDs at the front and 67 when viewed from the rear, then it cannot
be called a bicycle. Anything bought from Halfrauds (sic) must be a
BSO.


I rest my case.

Toys for schoolboys who never grew up.


--
Dave - intelligent enough to realise that a push bike, like a skateboard, is
a kid's toy, not a viable form of transport.

On Wed, 27 Oct 2010 20:21:52 +0100, Clive George
wrote:

On 27/10/2010 19:57, JMS wrote:

When the definition of a psycholist was written - the following was
very much tongue in cheek:

7) BSO : a bicycle shaped object. If someone's bicycle is not
top of the range, costing at least £500 with disc brakes, and at least
73 LEDs at the front and 67 when viewed from the rear, then it cannot
be called a bicycle. Anything bought from Halfrauds (sic) must be a
BSO.

So now you're complaining that people invest in lights? Would you rather
they go around unlit?

I rest my case.

I very much doubt it.

Spot on.

That's the first time I have *ever* agreed with anything that you have
said.


For the record - of course I do not object to cyclists being well-lit.
I think that Anchor Lee's configuration is probably a trial run for a
Blackpool Illuminations competition. Still - he has never been
bothered about appearing to be unbalanced.


(I see you upset the uk.legal people with your typical snotty
aggression. Well done)


--

Per billion passenger kilometres

Car KSI 18
Cycle KSI 541
Pedestrian 358

(KSI : Killed or Seriously Injured)
Dft 2008 FIgures

Who says cycling is safer than walking?

On Fri, 22 Oct 2010 06:47:46 +0100, Phil W Lee
wrote:

snip


I keep the headlight that doesn't have a nice sharp cutoff as main
beam, and position it so that the button is right next to my thumb, so
I can switch it off when it would dazzle oncoming road users, leaving
only the dipped beam equivalent light and the 5 led flashing marker at
the front.
The conical beam light also has a flexible mounting so I can aim it
low and flick it and thus convey to passing large vehicles by flashing
it when they have cleared me and can safely move back in, for which I
get an alternate indicator flash of acknowledgement.
The rear facing leds are mounted in the handlebar ends (2 flashing
each side), a mixture of 5 and 3 led rear lights (one incorporating a
full rear reflector on the back of the rack), and 4 flashing leds on
each arm and ankle band (2 rear and 32 side on each),
The head torch I generally keep on low, as it's handy to be able to
see my computer and is available to deal with any mechanicals where
the ability to use both hands is a benefit.

I do have rear and pedal reflectors, and wheel reflectors on one bike.
There is reflective material on rack pack, bar bag, and panniers, and
on the rear mudguard.

using rechargeable cells minimises the cost of all this - I use low
self discharge NiMH cells with 800mA/Hr for the AAAs and 2100mA/Hr for
the AAs.

So my lights are not ridiculously bright, but at the rear, cover a
large area to give a good idea of the size of my bike with me on it.

I can only comment that the more visible you are especially at night-time,
almost certainly the safer you are for both yourself and other road users.
And it is even more applicable for rural areas.
--
Iain

"JMS" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 22 Oct 2010 06:47:46 +0100, Phil W Lee
wrote:

snip


I keep the headlight that doesn't have a nice sharp cutoff as main
beam, and position it so that the button is right next to my thumb, so
I can switch it off when it would dazzle oncoming road users, leaving
only the dipped beam equivalent light and the 5 led flashing marker at
the front.
The conical beam light also has a flexible mounting so I can aim it
low and flick it and thus convey to passing large vehicles by flashing
it when they have cleared me and can safely move back in, for which I
get an alternate indicator flash of acknowledgement.
The rear facing leds are mounted in the handlebar ends (2 flashing
each side), a mixture of 5 and 3 led rear lights (one incorporating a
full rear reflector on the back of the rack), and 4 flashing leds on
each arm and ankle band (2 rear and 32 side on each),
The head torch I generally keep on low, as it's handy to be able to
see my computer and is available to deal with any mechanicals where
the ability to use both hands is a benefit.

I do have rear and pedal reflectors, and wheel reflectors on one bike.
There is reflective material on rack pack, bar bag, and panniers, and
on the rear mudguard.

using rechargeable cells minimises the cost of all this - I use low
self discharge NiMH cells with 800mA/Hr for the AAAs and 2100mA/Hr for
the AAs.

So my lights are not ridiculously bright, but at the rear, cover a
large area to give a good idea of the size of my bike with me on it.


When the definition of a psycholist was written - the following was
very much tongue in cheek:

7) BSO : a bicycle shaped object. If someone's bicycle is not
top of the range, costing at least £500 with disc brakes, and at least
73 LEDs at the front and 67 when viewed from the rear, then it cannot
be called a bicycle. Anything bought from Halfrauds (sic) must be a
BSO.


I rest my case.

At least he's making an effort to be well-lit at night which is more that a
lot of cyclists do.