View Full Version : Let's see how a whistle works...
...out on the SART. The SART is becoming crowded again and we've already had some close ones. I was my referee whistle and I'm bring it. I will of course warn my buddies about it so as not to scare the crap out of them. I have a bell just like Extort's but it hasn't been working as well lately.
:eek:
...out on the SART. The SART is becoming crowded again and we've already had some close ones. I was my referee whistle and I'm bring it. I will of course warn my buddies about it so as not to scare the crap out of them. I have a bell just like Extort's but it hasn't been working as well lately.
:eek:
Thats what I use, a whistle...can be heard by the dummy in the car on the cell phone with the windows up...
merider1
03-22-07, 05:30 PM
Hmmm...the only problem with the whistle is you may scare them and they might jump in your direction in lieu of away - which could pose a problem for you clearly. I'm sticking to the good old fashioned yell tactic ('on your left,' 'cyclist on path,' 'I'm on your left' etc.)
Hmmm...the only problem with the whistle is you may scare them and they might jump in your direction in lieu of away - which could pose a problem for you clearly. I'm sticking to the good old fashioned yell tactic ('on your left,' 'cyclist on path,' 'I'm on your left' etc.)
For the MUP when you need to use it you dont have to use full force... and use it far enough away to warn them!
And for a car with the radio on this is the only thing that works...
jpconrad
03-22-07, 05:40 PM
This is what I use:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/168/422525014_872b1f1c5d_o.jpg
Thanks Happytime!
Here's what happened. First person who didn't respond to my bell, I used the whistle on...she pulled over to the side of the path and stopped. :( The next three people who didn't respond to my bell didn't respond to the whistle either. :( So my experiment was a flop, not only did I not get the response I was hoping for, but it didn't work any better than the bell and managed to just annoy my riding partners.
My conclusion is that people who are at least partially aware of there own existence will move over for the bell and all the other idiots are brain dead anyway, so there's no helping them.
I was really hoping for a fool proof method of letting people know we are coming up on them after a dog on a leash ran right at the middle of our paceline yesterday, but as I found out, nothing is fool proof.:(
Bullhorn?
Not very aero.
And that whistle was LOUD.
magicant
03-23-07, 12:32 AM
How about strapping speakers to your handlebars and playing the sound of an approaching locomotive?
That might work.
magicant
03-23-07, 12:36 AM
nothing is fool proof.:(
As soon as something is foolproof, nature fills the vacuum with a bigger fool.
Wil Davis
03-23-07, 02:34 AM
I'd thought about using a whistle, but seeem to remember something about it being illegal to sound a whistle when in charge of a vehicle (could be confused with a traffic cop, perhaps?) - I'll see if I can dig out the reference…
- Wil
PS: Here's what I found using google:
(from http://www.massbike.org/bikelaw/mass.htm#C85S11B)
Massachusetts: Chapter 85, section 11B:
"3. The operator shall give an audible warning whenever necessary to insure safe operation of the bicycle; provided, however, the use of a siren or whistle is prohibited."
I'm sure other states have similar ordinances.
martianone
03-23-07, 03:06 AM
there is a MUP in Newport, vt; an old rail bed that runs along the lake from the plywood factory
to the border with PQ. a couple years ago we had given our son one of those wooden train
sounding whistles for his birthday. one time when we rode this MUP, he took this whistle along
with him; it worked pretty well at getting everyone's attention. so people would just stare at
you, still not really move out of the way. in VT, it is part of the rural culture; people and animals
usually have the right of way in the road.
Not very aero.
And that whistle was LOUD.
The only advantage of the bullhorn is that you can, um, editorialize with vigor as you pass on by. Most therapeutic!
I like magicant's speaker idea, also, but would suggest Wagner, a la Apocalypse Now...
;)
"I love the smell of ProLink in the morning."
http://www.avclub.com/content/files/images/Apocalypse-Now.jpg
Mo'Phat
03-23-07, 08:47 AM
DScott...I was thinking "Ride of the Valkyries" when I read the title of the thread...
"Smells like ...Victory"
I want to get Al Czervick's horn from Caddyshack, or an AHWOOOGAH klaxon from WW2.
Evoracer
03-23-07, 09:16 AM
I've been spending quite a bit of time on the SART myself lately and come upon riders perceived as competent and give the ol' "on yer left" as well with no problems 9 out of ten times. I tend not to give those not in the know the same courtesy and just blow by them. The reasoning is to not give them an opportunity to react adversly to a forwarning. My question is, is this acceptable?
Mo'Phat
03-23-07, 10:02 AM
Okay, Ride of the Flight. Got it now.
/yeah, I knew that, just too lazy this early in the morning to get it right the first time and/or edit it later.
Scootcore
03-23-07, 10:42 AM
i say go old school cow catcher.....either that or rig yer bike up like the car from spyhunter....just some ideas....
magicant
03-23-07, 11:06 AM
I prefer the Mach 5's auto-jack system that can be used to launch over stray objects.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b3/Mach_5_Button_A.jpg
Mo'Phat
03-23-07, 11:25 AM
i say go old school cow catcher.....either that or rig yer bike up like the car from spyhunter....just some ideas....
How to mount twin 50's to my handlebars...and do they make Ti shell casings? I think my drivetrain's oily enough that I don't need to rig up an oil slick machine.
voltman
03-23-07, 11:32 AM
How about strapping speakers to your handlebars and playing the sound of an approaching locomotive?
That might work.
They did that in the A-Team.
Scootcore
03-23-07, 11:32 AM
exactly the types of responses i expected! you guys didnt disappoint!
Mo'Phat
03-23-07, 11:36 AM
They did that in the A-Team.
What did B.A. (as in B.A. Barackus) stand for? Was it really Bad Attitude or was it Bad Ass, but that wasn't suitable for the kiddies? I really wanted it to mean Bad Actor, but then BA would take a bite out of my Big Ass.
voltman
03-23-07, 11:39 AM
Per Wikipedia:
As revealed in the pilot episode, the "B" in B.A. stands for Bosco, however it is never explained what the "A" stands for. In recent years, many sources have listed B.A.'s middle name to be "Albert" — however, this was never mentioned in the series or any of the publicity that went with it. When asked what the "B.A." stood for, the standard reply is "Bad Attitude" (it is said he used to enjoy beating up senior officers in Vietnam). (The more obvious expression, "Bad-Ass", would have been over the TV censorship line at the time.) B.A.'s childhood nickname was "Scooter", which he detested.
here and there
03-23-07, 12:31 PM
Here's what happened. First person who didn't respond to my bell, I used the whistle on...she pulled over to the side of the path and stopped. :( The next three people who didn't respond to my bell didn't respond to the whistle either. :( So my experiment was a flop, not only did I not get the response I was hoping for, but it didn't work any better than the bell and managed to just annoy my riding partners.
My conclusion is that people who are at least partially aware of there own existence will move over for the bell and all the other idiots are brain dead anyway, so there's no helping them.
I was really hoping for a fool proof method of letting people know we are coming up on them after a dog on a leash ran right at the middle of our paceline yesterday, but as I found out, nothing is fool proof.:(
If you're on a MUP and it's crowded, why get into a paceline? I guess it depends on how crowded it is, but IMO a MUP with much pedestrian traffic isn't the place I'm going to go for a fast ride.
Oh and for getting the attention of the brain dead idiots try an air horn or just come up yelling "no brakes, no brakes!". If all else fails, just yell "HEY, MOVE!" That one's never failed me. ;)
If you're on a MUP and it's crowded, why get into a paceline? I guess it depends on how crowded it is, but IMO a MUP with much pedestrian traffic isn't the place I'm going to go for a fast ride.
Oh and for getting the attention of the brain dead idiots try an air horn or just come up yelling "no brakes, no brakes!". If all else fails, just yell "HEY, MOVE!" That one's never failed me. ;)
This isn't the road forum :rolleyes: and I'm not going to get into why we can ride in a paceling on that SART...WE DO, SO THERE. We ride in the evenings with very few people on it, however there is the occasional person walking right down the middle of it that needs to be prodded to the side. Also, whenever we come upon peds, we usually drift apart and slow down, if only for our own safety.
sorry that the whistle did not work as planned, at least you did not drop $59.99 on the weight weenie carbon fiber version. :D
sorry that the whistle did not work as planned, at least you did not drop $59.99 on the weight weenie carbon fiber version. :D
ohh...carbon whistle???:rolleyes:
sorry that the whistle did not work as planned, at least you did not drop $59.99 on the weight weenie carbon fiber version. :D
Nope, it was free, it came with my really cool soccer referee uniform.
here and there
03-23-07, 06:28 PM
This isn't the road forum :rolleyes: and I'm not going to get into why we can ride in a paceling on that SART...WE DO, SO THERE. We ride in the evenings with very few people on it, however there is the occasional person walking right down the middle of it that needs to be prodded to the side. Also, whenever we come upon peds, we usually drift apart and slow down, if only for our own safety.
It doesn't have to be the road forum to have a discussion about pacelines and crowded MUPS. :p
The conditions you described make sense for riding in pacelines. And for the record I have no beef with pacelines on MUPS, unless it's so crowded out that is compromises the safety of anyone on the MUP.
CA 12-707 Sirens, whistles prohibited
No bicycle may be equipped with a siren or whistle. No person may use a siren or whistle when operating
a bicycle.
Damn...
Mo'Phat
03-23-07, 09:43 PM
But, hey, remember this is California! Only serious roadies will ever be cited for cycling offenses. Just go out in ratty jeans, no helmet, on a stolen Wal-Mart 'mountain bike' with shopping bags on the handlebars, and whistle to your hearts content. Nobody will stop you.
summoner12
03-24-07, 01:38 PM
Oh and for getting the attention of the brain dead idiots try an air horn or just come up yelling "no brakes, no brakes!". If all else fails, just yell "HEY, MOVE!" That one's never failed me. ;)
:D :beer: Never tried this... But I had a great visual of someone pretending they couldn't stop while yelling "NO BRAKES! NO BRAKES!" as they go flying down the trail and I couldn't stop laughing :beer: :D
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