Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Need Reflective Gear for Brevet

I am doing my first 200 KM brevet on the 2nd and need some reflective gear per RUSA article 10:
During hours of darkness or other low-light conditions, all riders must wear a reflective vest, sash, Sam Browne belt, or some other device that clearly places reflective material on the front and back of the rider. During these times all riders will also wear a reflective ankle band around each ankle.

I have a reflective ankle band but that is about it. What products to you randonneurs use to satisfy article 10?

Why would you need reflective gear for a 200k? Are they holding it at night? Those are usually easily doable during daylight hours (even January). I've seen those sashes around on the internet. I use a reflective triangle and ankle bands. Are you doing the ride out of Ventura?

Yep that's the one,, with PCH Randonneurs. The ride starts about 30 minutes before sunrise. This is my first event and I don't want to show up unprepared. I also hope to do longer rides in the future with the group.

go to Harbor Freight and buy one of their $5 reflective vests. It is more reflective than the sashes RUSA sells.
I've been finishing 200ks in the dark, I'm no speed demon this time of year.

Excellent suggestion! Thanks

I'll see you at the 300k in Feb then! They are a great group.

Sorry to get off topic but...The El Camino Double is the same day as the Feb 300K. I am going to see if I can get the Triple Crown this year - I got skunked two years ago. If I don't do the EC Double I will highly consider the 300K.

The Amphipod Xinglet (http://www.amphipod.com/440-448/440.html) is by far the best as far as sashes go. I'm surprised I don't see them used more often.

The Amphipod Xinglet (http://www.amphipod.com/440-448/440.html) is by far the best as far as sashes go. I'm surprised I don't see them used more often.

xinglet is OK.
i had one, kept riding up on me and hard to get it comfy.
blocked my pockets. annoying more than anything.
gave it to a friend. he loves it.

i much prefer the cactus creek cycling vest (http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302692343&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442501795) from MEC... pockets and all.

http://littlecirclesvt.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/3544220196_cebc8297a2_o.jpg

I just bought the Sam Browne and ankle bands from the RUSA store. Our first 200 will start in the dark.

Why would you need reflective gear for a 200k? Are they holding it at night? Those are usually easily doable during daylight hours (even January). I've seen those sashes around on the internet. I use a reflective triangle and ankle bands. Are you doing the ride out of Ventura?

Many RBA's require lights and reflective gear whether or not the ride can be completed in daylight hours. A change in weather or a mechanical problem can easily make lights and reflective gear important for safety.

Many RBA's require lights and reflective gear whether or not the ride can be completed in daylight hours. A change in weather or a mechanical problem can easily make lights and reflective gear important for safety.

I've been doing brevets since the mid 90's and the only time I've had a RBA (or anyone else) even look at my bike, lights and reflective gear is on the half dozen 1200k's I've done...I don't usually even bring lights unless I'm doing a 400k or longer.

btw, there's nothing wrong with being safe. I do brings lights, reflective gear etc if there is a chance of bad weather.

I've been doing brevets since the mid 90's and the only time I've had a RBA (or anyone else) even look at my bike, lights and reflective gear is on the half dozen 1200k's I've done...I don't usually even bring lights unless I'm doing a 400k or longer.

btw, there's nothing wrong with being safe. I do brings lights, reflective gear etc if there is a chance of bad weather.

Interesting -- I've seen RBA's have riders on a 300k back their bike up to a wall to ensure that their tail-light is aimed outwards, not downwards, but I agree that is not the norm. Both RBA's in Florida will do a bike check for all rides but others in the northeast and Ontario do not. All the Florida brevets other than the 200's start in the dark, so you definitely need lights and reflective gear.

If you are starting in the dark or you think there is a possibility of finishing in the dark you definitely need lights! You don't want to have to DNF because you don't have the proper lights. As far as RBA's checking you stuff, they are just like the rest of us and some of them are more diligent about things than others or maybe we're just more laid back here in sunny CA? ;)

btw, when I say "lights", I'm talking about the front light. I almost always have at least a taillight on my bike.

http://shop.reflectivestore.com/

Two tailights, two headlights, two independent methods of measuring distance or position, two cue sheets, and two tubes.

..two independent methods of measuring distance or position, two cue sheets..

What do you use for that? Two computers or a computer and a sextant? ;);) I tend to be a minimalist and not worry too much about all the extras. I suppose since I've never been seriously lost on a brevet I don't worry too much about it.

Any recommendations for reflective vests? I've got one that works well enough for commuting, but I find its fabric a bit rough on the skin (I can feel it through my jersey, and it rubs my neck, too) for longer rides and it doesn't compress very well when I want to throw it in my bag. The one I have is from Sunlite Cycling.

What do you use for that? Two computers or a computer and a sextant? ;);) I tend to be a minimalist and not worry too much about all the extras. I suppose since I've never been seriously lost on a brevet I don't worry too much about it.No, I don't think a sextant would be much help. This is mostly about dark and rainy nights. Tales from the brewpub. A GPS with dead batteries. A fancy Polar HRM/bike computer with sand in the button, a wired cyclocomputer that craps out in the rain, a wire gets broken, or a wired one that has battery problems. Or a cue sheet holder leaks and the sheet becomes mush.

Of course the whole idea of proper brevet routing (besides making sure there is a long, killer hill in the last 20 miles of your 600), is to take you on roads that you have never ridden, probably for very good reason, and there to get you lost. There is a reason it is called The Dark Side of riding.

You go with what you are comfortable with! Nothing wrong with that. In my years of doing brevets I've seen just about everything break at one time or another. I've even had a confuser stop working in the rain before. It all comes down to risk management. I enjoy people watching and on rides like PBP it's a blast. You see people carrying just about nothing to people carrying the kitchen sink. I don't know where the person was who was carrying a bb tool when I needed one though! ;)

Any recommendations for reflective vests?

look down. (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?611996-Need-Reflective-Gear-for-Brevet&p=10210535&viewfull=1#post10210535)

Two tailights, two headlights, two independent methods of measuring distance or position, two cue sheets, and two tubes.I don't even have one method of measuring distance, much less two. Is this a requirement? I can see an RBA requiring a GPS ("GPS required, I made the route from google maps and I didn't do a pre-ride")

That being said, if I don't know the roads on a route, I map it on a ride mapping web site. I like to have an idea where I'm going if nothing else.

There is no requirement for computers on brevets and GPS units are not required. Routes sheets are provided. They day they start requiring GPS units is the day I stop doing brevets. I do them to ride my bike, not play with electronics. I can do that at home.

My club (and I'm sure the others) state the only OFFICIAL route sheet is the one handed at the start. I've only done two rides so I'm a novice Randonneur, and they both followed the posted routes, but be careful if you print it out ahead of time as they can change the route due to construction or unforseen circumstances.

A cheap cycle computer with accurate milage works great. Both the routes I've done were totally new roads for me and the first one had some missing street signs. I bought a 'heavy duty' model with much thicker wire, I think it was designed for mountain bikes and only cost $15 or $20. I did a 200k which was at least 3/4 in the rain and it held up perfectly. I put my route sheets and Brevet card in a ziplock, inside a pencil case (many use a map case) and it stayed dry.

For me, a lot of the fun is in orienteering and reading the cue sheet real time, discovering new roads and places I had never ridden.

Again, I'm a newb and have a lot to learn, but that's what's worked so far.

I think following the route is part of the fun, but I haven't felt compelled to use an odometer yet. I'll probably get a gps first. I was just joking about making it a requirement. I have had the experience of a RBA changing the route after I printed the cue sheet, but they changed the start while I was driving to the event and so I almost didn't make it. They handed out cue sheets at the event, and the type was too small for me to read.

I ended up getting a $6 mesh vest from Harbor Freight on New Years Eve. Options are limited when one waits until the last minute. The vest worked fine but was a bit of a parachute and didn't fold down nicely once the sun came up.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/03600-03699/03604.gif

I just placed an order for a RUSA Sayre Sam Browne (http://www.rusa.org/cgi-bin/storedept_GF.pl?catid=2) sash from the RUSA web site. $5, lightweight, and packs down nice and small when not in use.
http://www.rusa.org/Images/rusasashzoom.jpg

a wired cyclocomputer that craps out in the rain... Or a cue sheet holder leaks and the sheet becomes mush.

Been there, done that. My last months' R12 ride: Computer crapped out after 17 miles, it was a fancy clock for the next 110 miles.
Found out that the Berthoud map holder, while reasonably water resistant, is not waterproofed against a 10+ hour persistent rain. Soggy cue sheet *and* permanent card.


xinglet is OK.
i had one, kept riding up on me and hard to get it comfy.

I have one, and I'm 6'6". They're really not meant for anyone that tall, and even at their longest adjustment it doesn't reach my navel. My solution is to shorten it up and wear the waistband where you'd position an HRM strap, like a reflective man-bra.

I've been doing brevets since the mid 90's and the only time I've had a RBA (or anyone else) even look at my bike, lights and reflective gear is on the half dozen 1200k's I've done...I don't usually even bring lights unless I'm doing a 400k or longer.

btw, there's nothing wrong with being safe. I do brings lights, reflective gear etc if there is a chance of bad weather.


Hey Homeyba, RBAs can read too, just so you know.

Just for that I will put in a secret control/bike inspection to DQ riders that don't have lights and reflective gear! In fact I see nothing wrong with you having two sets of reflective gear, lights and computers for the 300, especially if you ride that funny looking skinny tire tandem of yours. :lol:

If you need a place to stay before/after the ride let me know. Also if you would like to ride the pre-ride with Lisa and me let me know. We have been riding on our own for a while and would enjoy your company for another ride one of these days.

Hey Homeyba, RBAs can read too, just so you know.

Just for that I will put in a secret control/bike inspection to DQ riders that don't have lights and reflective gear! In fact I see nothing wrong with you having two sets of reflective gear, lights and computers for the 300, especially if you ride that funny looking skinny tire tandem of yours. :lol:

I was wondering when you'd pipe in. :) As long as you don't require GPS units...LOL ;)


If you need a place to stay before/after the ride let me know. Also if you would like to ride the pre-ride with Lisa and me let me know. We have been riding on our own for a while and would enjoy your company for another ride one of these days.

How about a 300k? I would like to bring the funny looking skinny tire tandem so I can get some miles on it.
btw, How did the 200k go last weekend???? I should have gone down and done that, looks like I'll be doing the Winter Solstice double next weekend...

Been there, done that. My last months' R12 ride: Computer crapped out after 17 miles, it was a fancy clock for the next 110 miles.
Found out that the Berthoud map holder, while reasonably water resistant, is not waterproofed against a 10+ hour persistent rain. Soggy cue sheet *and* permanent card...

You know, there is a solution to the confuser crapping out in the rain. You can put a light grease on the connections between the confuser and base to keep water out. That usually works. I learned that from one of my SIR friends years ago.
For 1200k's or brevets I know are going to be wet I take the route sheet and cut it into sections between controls then laminate them. I use a zip lock bag for the card. It's going to get a little wet no matter what you do but that works pretty good.

How about a 300k? I would like to bring the funny looking skinny tire tandem so I can get some miles on it.
btw, How did the 200k go last weekend???? I should have gone down and done that, looks like I'll be doing the Winter Solstice double next weekend...

The 200 went really well. We really lucked out with the weather, sunny, warm and light winds. One of those perfect Southern California winter days.

Since we got lucky for the 200, I am guessing that it will rain for the 300, but as you know I can be a little pessimistic at times. :thumb:

Yes I started the ride early, but I figure it is not a big deal for everyone to deal with lights and reflective gear when I read reports from around the nation and everybody else is riding in the freezing (really freezing not just So. Cal. below 60 degrees freezing) cold.

Come on down for the 300, but bring your reflective gear!:lol:

Are you and the little lady going to be on the tandem or your singles?

Since it will be raining I'll bring my rubbers, I still have reflective tape on the bike from RAAM, does that count as reflective gear? ;)

I did a 200k brevet in December, and finished after dark- had a good headwind coming back in, and some of us just aren't that fast anyway, so it does happen.

I've got a reflective vest from True Value Hardware- fairly loose, doesn't fold real compactly.

I've got a reflective vest from Harbor Freight. It folds more compactly, but I don't like the way it fits- like wearing a shirt that is too short.

I was in Northern Tool the other day, and they had a bunch of T-shirts with the reflective stuff on the shirt.

I'm using a $10 Schwinn computer/odometer that works great, and I've even ridden a 100k in the rain with it- no reason not to have something so cheap and handy. I think if nobody had them, the cue sheets would be written a lot differently. But as long as they say "Turn at the unmarked roat at mile 97.3", you sort of need one.