First ride with the Take-a-Look mirror
 

I used the Take-a-Look mirror for the first time today and really like it a lot. It attaches best to the visor on my helmet and I adapted to it quicker than I expected. I no longer need to rely on Hubby to tell me when it's clear to move to the left, and I can see him behind me without having to crane my stiff neck to look.

We rode 40 miles today in the 90+ degree heat. I'm wishing we didn't register for that ride next weekend for many reasons, but there's no turning back now. After today's ride, I'd say we're ready for that and more.

Today's ride report (with pics) is posted on my blog.

I like my Take-a-Look, too. I fasten mine to my glasses as I don't have a visor on my helmets.

I loved your ride report. Riding in those temperatures can be exhausting:)

Are those regular biking shorts you're wearing in the pictures? I like the length and looser fit. I'm looking for something similar for touring this summer.

I like mine a lot as well. I bet hubby can't wait for that Brooks to get broken in. Thanks for sharing.

I've tried many and the long Take-A-Look is the ONLY one that works. - TF

I use a CycleAware Reflex, which also works splendidly. :)

http://www.cycleaware.com/index.php?...6d2eb22de3d432

I am a relatively recent convert to mirrors, following unsatisfactory experiences decades ago with early eyeglass mount units.

This your first helmet/glasses mirror?

I've used a Take-a-Look on helmet visor for several years. Don't know if it is any better visually that the others I used before BUT it is STURDY without being cumbersome.

Yup, it's my first. I like the looks of that CycleAware Reflex too... nice design.

George, the Brooks is broken in... well, mostly. It came on the Schwinn when he bought the bike in the early 70s. Actually he said yesterday that it's starting to feel more comfortable, but it looks fairly broken in.

Beverly: LOL, those are baggy C9 capris I bought at Target last year when I first started riding the hybrid. Wide legs and they are too big for me now but I don't have anything else yet. I rolled them up above my knees when I started feeling warmyesterday. I'm planning to get a pair of "real" bike pants or shorts very soon.... I found a pair of long shorts at Team Estrogen that I may get, they come just above the knees. The pants I wore yesterday are very comfortable but the hem sometimes catches on the bottle cage.

Great ride report, Jen! My husband and I have each had lower back injuries that have kept us of the bike for two consecutive weekends. Your blog makes me miss being on a bike, even if it was uncomfortably hot for you. Always enjoy your photos!

I love my Take a look. I attach mine to my sunglasses.

Are you aware that Thomson crashed fairly recently and had stitches where his mirror cut into his face?

Sorry to sound like a safety nanny hand wringer, I just wonder for myself, too, if it is better to angle the mirror a certain way or wear in on the glasses...

Riding in that temperature can cause a lot of problems if you do not drink enough. But enough water and you hardly notice it. Take it you have two bottles on the bike- So fill one with water (Try the freezing tip as on another forum) and in the other use an additive- Hopefully an Isotonic one.

Just to be clear, stapfam, that was 90F, not 90C. :)

Yep, two bottles. I like a little O.J. w/honey in one with ice and filled to the top w/water, and the other just plain water. But I'm going to try some electrolyte solutions and see which works for me. We recovered fairly quickly and felt fine the next day.

Mrs Road Fan loves her Terry shorts, and so does my colleague - two women whose builds could not be more different! Terry has the wide range of sizing needed.

Road fan

For some reason the Take a Look is the only mirror I have been able to get to work well.

i'm hard on gear (went through three busted helmet/glasses mirrors), so i now build my own 'take-a-looks' for $0.10 each...

i go to Joanne Fabrics or Michael's crafts and buy a bag of 10 round 1" mirrors... then take a length of 12ga (or suitable) solid wire and coil one end into a small circle... a cut oval of heavy double-sided stick tape (the gray stuff in a roll w/red peel-off backing) then affixes the wire to the mirror... i can then wrap the mirror onto sunglasses or do another coil and stick on my helmet:

Take-A-Look, hmmmm. Loved the mirror's acreage and quality but dislike the springy stiff wire that vibrates the mirror too much to actually "take a look" unless you're on a glassy-smooth road. Lost mine, replaced with another brand.

Today, I knocked my Take-a-Look off my helmet visor when I was trying to adjust it. Before I could stop and pick it up, it was run over ... twice. I picked it up, put it back on my helmet and was off. They're tough.

I've been using a "Take-a-Look" mounted on my glasses for years. Only problem I ever had was forgetting to remove it after my commute & walking around at work with it on until some co-worker would remark on it. I'm retired now, so this is no longer an issue!

Have used eyeglass-mounted mirrors since the mid-70s.
First was a jury-rigged dental mirror, then all kinds of other ones. Take-A-Look is the best mirror I've used in over a quarter-million miles. Have never broken one, even in a crash.
Light, adjustable, American made.