The Sun't In My Eyes!
08-31-14, 02:53 PM
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The Sun's In My Eyes!
Ok, the title doesn't really apply to me for commuting purposes. I'm one of the lucky ones that works 10hrs/day going west at 4am(I have to unlock the plant) and east at 4:30. I ride quite a bit after work and always make sure that the sun isn't directly in front of me.
So the question is: How do you guys deal with commuting/with cars behind you and a low sun?
Is there any way to minimize the risks minus taking a different route?
So the question is: How do you guys deal with commuting/with cars behind you and a low sun?
Is there any way to minimize the risks minus taking a different route?
08-31-14, 08:08 PM
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Good reason for using eye-catching lights.
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09-01-14, 04:22 AM
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To monitor the rearward cars, I use a Take-a-Look eyeglass-mounted mirror; I actually wear right and left.
I use both left and right rearview mirrors, in my case Take-a-Look eyeglass mounted ones...The additional right hand mirror affords a pretty good rearward view, but is particularly useful:
- Riding on the left-hand side of a one-way street...
- When the sun is directly behind, usually one mirror can be positioned away from the glare of the sun
09-01-14, 05:17 AM
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Several years ago I lived 12 miles west of town. This was long before a started commuting by bike. There was, and still is, a group of local riders that gather on the outskirts of town a couple of days a week. They ride west on two different roads. One is wide for part of the route, turning into a narrow 2 lane. The other is a very narrow 2 lane road with no shoulder whatsoever.
There are a few weeks (spring and fall) of every year when the sun is just at the right angle that time of day as to blind the drivers going west. There were numerous times that I would have considered the pass a very close call. Scared the bejeezus out of me and I was in the vehicle.
I will admit that to the best of my knowledge, no one has been hit on these roads. However, I will not ride with that group. No freakin' way. Those close passes stay with me still.
If the sun is blinding you, it is blinding the drivers coming behind you.
There are a few weeks (spring and fall) of every year when the sun is just at the right angle that time of day as to blind the drivers going west. There were numerous times that I would have considered the pass a very close call. Scared the bejeezus out of me and I was in the vehicle.
I will admit that to the best of my knowledge, no one has been hit on these roads. However, I will not ride with that group. No freakin' way. Those close passes stay with me still.
If the sun is blinding you, it is blinding the drivers coming behind you.
09-01-14, 07:40 AM
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Get the brightest Red flashing lights you can buy on the rear! (You should have two or more.) Don't forget the front too. I have a helmet light and this should be a very good light also. (Steady or blinking.) I've seen too many cyclist riding under these conditions with poor lights. The rule is, if I can't see you from X feet behind you, cars can't see you.
09-01-14, 07:46 AM
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Get the brightest Red flashing lights you can buy on the rear! (You should have two or more.) Don't forget the front too. I have a helmet light and this should be a very good light also. (Steady or blinking.) I've seen too many cyclist riding under these conditions with poor lights. The rule is, if I can't see you from X feet behind you, cars can't see you.
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09-01-14, 09:09 AM
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I get used to it. Squint, and point my eyes away from the sun as much as possible. If the sun impinges on my vision, I slow down as needed, which I rarely have to do.
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When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments. Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
09-01-14, 10:13 AM
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Bright lights, and I shift my work hours.
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09-01-14, 10:34 AM
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Depending on the road I'll just deal with it. It it is certain roads I'll deviate my route. I use two rear flashy lights.
09-01-14, 11:01 AM
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09-01-14, 03:04 PM
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It's not so much the light in your eyes as the light in the eyes (and on the dirty, scratched-up, unwashed windshield) of cars coming from behind you. I've seen people driving with windows so bad that I think they may have a hard time seeing a blaze orange elephant in the road in front of them for the hour or so that the sun is at the right angle (below about 15 degrees).
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09-01-14, 04:43 PM
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when it's right over the road, and I literally can't see ahead, that's when it really scares me. I know they can't see me from behind. That lasts 10 or 15 minutes. Fortunately it's only a few times a year when the sun lines up directly with the roads I use.
09-01-14, 10:45 PM
#16
contiuniously variable
If it is light out, i wear these:
If it gets dark, i take them off & put in sunglasses pouch clipped to belt loop.
I plan to get a red blinky for back, prolly USB charged since i'm done dealing with batteries. This is just to compliment the large steady red with red reflector all ready standard with the model of bike.
- Andy
If it gets dark, i take them off & put in sunglasses pouch clipped to belt loop.
I plan to get a red blinky for back, prolly USB charged since i'm done dealing with batteries. This is just to compliment the large steady red with red reflector all ready standard with the model of bike.
- Andy
09-01-14, 10:52 PM
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I try to avoid those situations, as I consider them the most dangerous road conditions - even worse than Sunday in the 'burbs when church lets out. When in the situation - usually due to poor planning or unexpected events - I basically live in my mirror and have a constant bail-out plan.
09-01-14, 11:28 PM
#18
contiuniously variable
I try to avoid those situations, as I consider them the most dangerous road conditions - even worse than Sunday in the 'burbs when church lets out. When in the situation - usually due to poor planning or unexpected events - I basically live in my mirror and have a constant bail-out plan.
The one place in particular, is right after i get off the bypass in one direction, so it isn't avoidable unless i wish to add a half mile+ to my trip. I ride in the right quarter of the lane, and the people honking at me in their giant range rover can stuff it if they don't know how to pass.
- Andy
