Comments on: Beware the Equinox

By: Keri

Keri — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:54:52 +0000

Returning from our epic ride Saturday, we ended up in Debary as the sun was dropping toward the horizon. We had to turn west onto Dirkson at exactly the wrong time. Dirkson is never a pleasant road and there was a ton of traffic at the I-4 interchange. The sun was blinding. We managed to negotiate that safely, then pulled into a convenience store immediately on the other side. I used the GPS on my iPhone to find a parallel street that would take us to a trail that crosses and then parallels Dirkson.

By: Brian in So Cal

Brian in So Cal — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 05:19:20 +0000

I live where the street grid is offset by 45 degrees, so I don’t have that problem!

By: fred_dot_u

fred_dot_u — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 01:34:44 +0000

Due to continually failing short term memory, I cannot recall the full name of a 23w light I saw recently, other than “Betty” and considered it as an add-on to my velomobile. Unfortunately, my research discovered it to be nearly one thousand american dollars! That’s one pricey headlight, but for an LED lamp, it’s perfect for a velomobile. Not enough night riding to justify it, though.

I’ve had occasion to ride with the sun directly behind me, rather than ahead, so I consider myself lucky. I’m also hopeful that my 2″x6″ superbright LED taillight helps too. In the future, I’ll extend my nighttime pair of 2″x6″ supplemental retractable turn signals and activate them in taillight mode when confronted by the equinox. Is it vernal?

By: P.M. Summer

P.M. Summer — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 00:44:49 +0000

“Choose a street with bike lanes or paved shoulders. I know some readers disdain them, but in this situation, the sun is going to illuminate the lane stripe (assuming they are well maintained) and guide the motorist to keep to your left. Of course you still need to account for turning conflicts the bike lane might present.”

“Low sun in the eyes” is EXACTLY the scenario when motorists often drift into bike lanes, same as they cross the center line, only they pull to their right far more often (the right being “less dangerous”).

By: P.M. Summer

P.M. Summer — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 00:40:32 +0000

No association, but this a DARNED impressive daylight light.

DiNotte Lighting USA
1 Merrill Industrial Drive, Suite 10
Hampton, NH 03842
http://www.dinottelighting.com
603 929 0123
sales@dinottelighting.com

By: rodney

rodney — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 22:14:24 +0000

Oh, I almost forgot about the sunshine slowdown in the morning! Dangit!

By: rodney

rodney — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 21:35:43 +0000

Thank goodness the moonlight is not this problematic. Night commuting is fun! Good strategies to keep in mind and use when I ride on my off days. Puts a whole new “light” on safety.

By: Keri

Keri — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:34:28 +0000

I had the “light-bulb” moment about this one morning as I was headed west on Glenridge Way and waiting to turn left onto Fosgate. There was traffic stacked at the light at General Rees and it kept inching forward as I stood next to the center line, waiting. I could see the sun lighting up the drivers’ faces and the visors casting a shadow across their eyes. As one car crept past me, the driver suddenly saw me standing next to his open window. He said “Oh! I’m so sorry! I didn’t see you!”

That’s probably the one case where that oft-heard statement is completely valid

By: Andrewp

Andrewp — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:06:34 +0000

Timely. I hadn’t put 2 and 2 together, but had noticed car drivers coming into my path from left and right were squinting or using their hands as a sunblock when looking for traffic. And as mentioned, I was riding in an East/West direction.

Good points!! thanks Mighk!