I just don't get it about the mirrors.
#501
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#502
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I bet you most 50+ guys have mirrors, they do where I ride, I wont ride without one, most of the people I see cant hold a line when they look back...
#503
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you can argue efficiency if you want but we don't run on batteries and I won't run out of gas because I looked behind me.
#504
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How can someone be worse with a mirror... what are they doing, staring at it all the time?
#505
Senior Member
OK, I just got back from a 28 mile ride out to Audubon, PA and back home on the local MUP.
Every bike I passed... all bikes going in my direction... the people with mirrors seemed to be completely clueless, and seemed to be completely surprised when I passed, even if I used my bell and shouted that I was passing on the left. The people without mirrors typically made eye contact with me several times during the 100 yards when I was approaching them and overtaking them, and never broke their line.
The burning question:
Do mirrors cause people to be (or become) clueless, or is it that clueless people gravitate toward using mirrors?
Every bike I passed... all bikes going in my direction... the people with mirrors seemed to be completely clueless, and seemed to be completely surprised when I passed, even if I used my bell and shouted that I was passing on the left. The people without mirrors typically made eye contact with me several times during the 100 yards when I was approaching them and overtaking them, and never broke their line.
The burning question:
Do mirrors cause people to be (or become) clueless, or is it that clueless people gravitate toward using mirrors?
#506
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I'd wager that folks that are brand new to cycling are being sold everything a bike store has to sell. that's how I ended up with my cool sparkly streamers and handlebar coffee cup holder.
#507
Senior Member
OK, I just got back from a 28 mile ride out to Audubon, PA and back home on the local MUP.
Every bike I passed... all bikes going in my direction... the people with mirrors seemed to be completely clueless, and seemed to be completely surprised when I passed, even if I used my bell and shouted that I was passing on the left. The people without mirrors typically made eye contact with me several times during the 100 yards when I was approaching them and overtaking them, and never broke their line.
The burning question:
Do mirrors cause people to be (or become) clueless, or is it that clueless people gravitate toward using mirrors?
Every bike I passed... all bikes going in my direction... the people with mirrors seemed to be completely clueless, and seemed to be completely surprised when I passed, even if I used my bell and shouted that I was passing on the left. The people without mirrors typically made eye contact with me several times during the 100 yards when I was approaching them and overtaking them, and never broke their line.
The burning question:
Do mirrors cause people to be (or become) clueless, or is it that clueless people gravitate toward using mirrors?
#508
Senior Member
I'm absolutely certain that your singular experience on one day during a short ride is absolutely and impeccably representative of the cycling population as a whole. About the same level of trollishness as that earlier thread on how all lycra-clad roadies are a danger to themselves and others.
In my experience, it's become as dependable as the laws of physics:
Unsteady, timid cyclists need mirrors. The corollary: mirrors reinforce timid and unsteady riding habits.
PS: Fact.
#509
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it may be because I'm silent but I startle quite a few mirror users. what surprises me is the old "if you can't see my mirrors, I can't see you" adage truckers say, while I'm approaching a lot of mirror users I can't see them in their mirror, what are they looking at?
I'd say more than half do see me fairly early though.
I'd say more than half do see me fairly early though.
Last edited by Rx Rider; 07-25-12 at 09:19 PM. Reason: oops
#510
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Are you a mind reader? How did you determine that all the "clueless" cyclists were "surprised" by your presence? What were your clues?
#511
Senior Member
Or the burning question might be - What makes you think other cyclists need to make eye contact with you while you pass them? Any good reason to think that they were unaware of your presence?
Are you a mind reader? How did you determine that all the "clueless" cyclists were "surprised" by your presence? What were your clues?
Are you a mind reader? How did you determine that all the "clueless" cyclists were "surprised" by your presence? What were your clues?
When it comes to other cyclists, I am a mind reader, or so it might appear to the inexperienced observer.
"Cluelessness" and "surprise" are easy to discern, provided the observer himself is not a wobbly, timid dilettante who is having enough trouble not riding off into a ditch at any moment.
#512
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The great thing about this debate is that Darwin settles it. To the aggressive take the lane types. Try that with a logging truck, stock truck, or Class RV on a blind curve and 6" pavement right of the fog line. Eyes forward and back means a slight cock of the head and I can track approaching vehicles frequently and determine if they see me (Super Flash and lime yellow) before I enter the curve and no amount of head swiveling will ever accomplish that. Better Fred than dead.
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#513
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I wonder sometimes if Darwin would be bothered that his theories on evolution would be hijacked by people who clearly have no idea what those theories entail and would instead be a reference for people that think it's do or die. natural selection has nothing to do with my way or the high-way.
#514
Senior Member
I wonder sometimes if Darwin would be bothered that his theories on evolution would be hijacked by people who clearly have no idea what those theories entail and would instead be a reference for people that think it's do or die. natural selection has nothing to do with my way or the high-way.
#515
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Spoken like an evolutionary biologist! Darwin would be pleased. The Darwin award goes to those least likely to procreate. That's about as simple an explanation there is for natural selection. Hijacking Darwin? What a crock. I don't really give a rip if a rider uses (or not) a unique tool...a mirror. If you have a mirror and don't use it effectively, it's as good as not being there.
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#516
Banned
OK, I just got back from a 28 mile ride out to Audubon, PA and back home on the local MUP.
Every bike I passed... all bikes going in my direction... the people with mirrors seemed to be completely clueless, and seemed to be completely surprised when I passed, even if I used my bell and shouted that I was passing on the left. The people without mirrors typically made eye contact with me several times during the 100 yards when I was approaching them and overtaking them, and never broke their line.
The burning question:
Do mirrors cause people to be (or become) clueless, or is it that clueless people gravitate toward using mirrors?
Every bike I passed... all bikes going in my direction... the people with mirrors seemed to be completely clueless, and seemed to be completely surprised when I passed, even if I used my bell and shouted that I was passing on the left. The people without mirrors typically made eye contact with me several times during the 100 yards when I was approaching them and overtaking them, and never broke their line.
The burning question:
Do mirrors cause people to be (or become) clueless, or is it that clueless people gravitate toward using mirrors?
#517
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#518
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some people just don't get it about the mirrors
If you ride the MUP, you don't need the highway (or mirrors)!
If you ride the MUP, you don't need the highway (or mirrors)!
#519
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The corollary: mirrors are the sign of experience and high mileage riding habits.
PS: Fact.
Mirrors reinforce timid riding habits- huh? like the man is blindfolded or something!
Spike, spike, spike - Mirrors reinforce a more assertive road position and riding habits, generally speaking.
Last edited by Bekologist; 07-26-12 at 04:56 AM.
#520
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I commuted 9 miles each way into downtown phily (roxborough/manayunk to 8th and Arch) for several years, year round. I observed the same thing.
#521
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...a great illustration of the Cat 6 ranking system.
#522
Senior Member
Perhaps we could end this thread on a conciliatory note. I'll go first.
There are two kinds of cyclists:
1. Timid, unsteady cyclists who are unable look behind them without putting themselves and others in grave danger, for whom mirrors are not only a godsend, but should be a legal requirement as well.
2. Skilled cyclists.
There are two kinds of cyclists:
1. Timid, unsteady cyclists who are unable look behind them without putting themselves and others in grave danger, for whom mirrors are not only a godsend, but should be a legal requirement as well.
2. Skilled cyclists.
#523
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Perhaps we could end this thread on a conciliatory note. I'll go first.
There are two kinds of cyclists:
1. Timid, unsteady cyclists who are unable look behind them without putting themselves and others in grave danger, for whom mirrors are not only a godsend, but should be a legal requirement as well.
2. Skilled cyclists.
There are two kinds of cyclists:
1. Timid, unsteady cyclists who are unable look behind them without putting themselves and others in grave danger, for whom mirrors are not only a godsend, but should be a legal requirement as well.
2. Skilled cyclists.
https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...edChris005.jpg
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#524
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someone's probably got something scathing to say about those safety triangles as well.....
#525
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