Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Road Cycling
Reload this Page >

That's distracting?

Search
Notices
Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

That's distracting?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-09-09, 05:46 AM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 202
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
That's distracting?

Was on my local MUP at dusk w/ my front/rear lights blinkng. Couple team-gear type guys trying to hammer in moderate mixed traffic with no reflectors or lights are coming the opposite way. First thing that came to mind was, "What are these guys doing? They are going to have an accident!" One of them has the nerve to yell "That's distracting!" as he passes, referring to my flashing front light (which is properly aimed at the ground in front of me). What's distracting to me are people trying to hammer on a populated MUP at dusk without the proper equipment yelling at me for having a legally mandated safety device. I bet it would be less distracting if he had one too, even if it's not aero...

Last edited by turbo2L; 09-09-09 at 05:50 AM.
turbo2L is offline  
Old 09-09-09, 05:47 AM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 369

Bikes: too many to list

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
your headlight doesn't do any good pointed at the ground. You want it pointed right at eye level for drivers, so they actually SEE it.
crispy010 is offline  
Old 09-09-09, 05:50 AM
  #3  
I eat carbide.
 
Psimet2001's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Elgin, IL
Posts: 21,627

Bikes: Lots. Van Dessel and Squid Dealer

Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1325 Post(s)
Liked 1,306 Times in 560 Posts
It wasn't the light that was distracting...it was the recumbent and beard.
__________________
PSIMET Wheels, PSIMET Racing, PSIMET Neutral Race Support, and 11 Jackson Coffee
Podcast - YouTube Channel
Video about PSIMET Wheels

Psimet2001 is offline  
Old 09-09-09, 05:51 AM
  #4  
Lost
 
AngryScientist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: nutley, nj
Posts: 4,600
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 48 Post(s)
Liked 113 Times in 45 Posts
lighting in low ambient light conditions is key. I do, however also find blinking headlights irritating, i much prefer a steady headlight, blinking taillight.
AngryScientist is offline  
Old 09-09-09, 05:53 AM
  #5  
A Little Bent
 
Hammertoe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Struggling up a hillside in Vermont, USA... ..........................................
Posts: 2,858
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
There are a lot of angry people out there...
__________________
Hammertoe is offline  
Old 09-09-09, 05:54 AM
  #6  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 202
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by crispy010
your headlight doesn't do any good pointed at the ground. You want it pointed right at eye level for drivers, so they actually SEE it.
It's not aimed directly in front of my tire, it's aimed about 20' ahead. My light has enough spill that it can be seen just fine. I would never subject anyone to 225 lumen head-on lighting, which is why the comment was absurd.
turbo2L is offline  
Old 09-09-09, 06:05 AM
  #7  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 202
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by AngryScientist
lighting in low ambient light conditions is key. I do, however also find blinking headlights irritating, i much prefer a steady headlight, blinking taillight.
My headlight is normally steady on, but at dusk with lots of people around I feel the blinking adds something. It wasn't so dark I needed it to light my way, so it was basically acting as a warning beacon.

If it was completely dark and/or my light was aimed at his eye, I could have seen his point. But that wasn't the case. What's funny is, probably half the headlights on that path at any given time are blinking. I wonder if he was breathing hard from hammering, or yelling at everyone with a blinking headlight...
turbo2L is offline  
Old 09-09-09, 06:14 AM
  #8  
purity of essence
 
scotch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: NH
Posts: 2,260

Bikes: 2018 Giant Trance 2, 2019 Trek Farley 7, 2017 Jamis Renegade Exploit

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 37 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 26 Times in 11 Posts
Originally Posted by Hammertoe
There are a lot of angry people out there...
+ many.
scotch is offline  
Old 09-09-09, 06:19 AM
  #9  
/\/\oderator
 
Bevo Bill's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: STL
Posts: 77

Bikes: '19 Fuji SL 1.1

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Liked 16 Times in 5 Posts
When I'm on a MUP; steady on.

On the streets; blinking. Drivers tend to overlook just another steady little light on the side of the road.
Bevo Bill is offline  
Old 09-09-09, 06:21 AM
  #10  
Primate
 
Metzinger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: gone
Posts: 2,579

Bikes: Concorde Columbus SL, Rocky Mountain Edge, Sparta stadfiets

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts
Originally Posted by turbo2L
"One of them has the nerve to yell "That's distracting!" as he passes, referring to my flashing front light ...
Was it this guy?
Metzinger is offline  
Old 09-09-09, 06:43 AM
  #11  
I eat carbide.
 
Psimet2001's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Elgin, IL
Posts: 21,627

Bikes: Lots. Van Dessel and Squid Dealer

Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1325 Post(s)
Liked 1,306 Times in 560 Posts
Originally Posted by Hammertoe
There are a lot of angry people out there...
What the f is that supposed to mean??!!?
__________________
PSIMET Wheels, PSIMET Racing, PSIMET Neutral Race Support, and 11 Jackson Coffee
Podcast - YouTube Channel
Video about PSIMET Wheels

Psimet2001 is offline  
Old 09-09-09, 06:45 AM
  #12  
Senior Member
 
roadwarrior's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Someplace trying to figure it out
Posts: 10,664

Bikes: Cannondale EVO, CAAD9, Giant cross bike.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 67 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times in 6 Posts
Originally Posted by turbo2L
Was on my local MUP at dusk w/ my front/rear lights blinkng. Couple team-gear type guys trying to hammer in moderate mixed traffic with no reflectors or lights are coming the opposite way. First thing that came to mind was, "What are these guys doing? They are going to have an accident!" One of them has the nerve to yell "That's distracting!" as he passes, referring to my flashing front light (which is properly aimed at the ground in front of me). What's distracting to me are people trying to hammer on a populated MUP at dusk without the proper equipment yelling at me for having a legally mandated safety device. I bet it would be less distracting if he had one too, even if it's not aero...
See my signature line.
roadwarrior is offline  
Old 09-09-09, 06:46 AM
  #13  
getting bent
 
Engyo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 241

Bikes: 2008 Rans V3, 1984 Trek 620

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by turbo2L
One of them has the nerve to yell "That's distracting!" as he passes, referring to my flashing front light (which is properly aimed at the ground in front of me).
My reply would have been "Good!"
Engyo is offline  
Old 09-09-09, 06:46 AM
  #14  
bulletproof tiger
 
ok_commuter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 1,934

Bikes: Waterford 2200, Litespeed Tuscany, Salsa La Cruz, Kona Fire Mountain

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by crispy010
your headlight doesn't do any good pointed at the ground. You want it pointed right at eye level for drivers, so they actually SEE it.
facepalm
ok_commuter is offline  
Old 09-09-09, 06:55 AM
  #15  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 264
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I have 1 flashing and 1 steady. That should be good enough to annoy or please most people. 1 to see, 1 to be seen.
dipy911 is offline  
Old 09-09-09, 07:06 AM
  #16  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Syracuse, NY
Posts: 1,018

Bikes: 2018 Lynskey R 260 Disc; 2008 Trek 4.7 Madone; 2017 Framed Minnesota 3.0 Fat Bike; 1984 Nishiki International

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 111 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by crispy010
your headlight doesn't do any good pointed at the ground. You want it pointed right at eye level for drivers, so they actually SEE it.
Epic failure.
gettingold is offline  
Old 09-09-09, 07:10 AM
  #17  
purity of essence
 
scotch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: NH
Posts: 2,260

Bikes: 2018 Giant Trance 2, 2019 Trek Farley 7, 2017 Jamis Renegade Exploit

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 37 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 26 Times in 11 Posts
Originally Posted by gettingold
Epic failure.
+1. yes, you want to BLIND on-coming traffic as much as possible.
scotch is offline  
Old 09-09-09, 07:22 AM
  #18  
Sua Ku
 
rollin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Hot as hell, Singapore
Posts: 5,705

Bikes: Trek 5200, BMC SLC01, BMC SSX, Specialized FSR, Holdsworth Criterium

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by Bevo Bill
When I'm on a MUP; steady on.

On the streets; blinking. Drivers tend to overlook just another steady little light on the side of the road.
+1

My MUP has a 2-3 mile straight sections and I don't want to see blinking lights coming at me, I find them distracting too. Solid lights are easy to see on an MUP where you're riding 10-15 mph.
rollin is offline  
Old 09-09-09, 08:03 AM
  #19  
pan y agua
 
merlinextraligh's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 31,302

Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike

Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1447 Post(s)
Liked 724 Times in 371 Posts
I clicked on this thread hoping to find something akin to the Daily Distraction. Major disappointment.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
merlinextraligh is offline  
Old 09-09-09, 08:10 AM
  #20  
umd
Banned
 
umd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Posts: 28,387

Bikes: Specialized Tarmac SL2, Specialized Tarmac SL, Giant TCR Composite, Specialized StumpJumper Expert HT

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
A bright blinking light is very distracting when it is coming right at you.
umd is offline  
Old 09-09-09, 08:17 AM
  #21  
well hello there
 
Nachoman's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Point Loma, CA
Posts: 15,430

Bikes: Bill Holland (Road-Ti), Fuji Roubaix Pro (back-up), Bike Friday (folder), Co-Motion (tandem) & Trek 750 (hybrid)

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 503 Post(s)
Liked 336 Times in 206 Posts
Originally Posted by Bevo Bill
When I'm on a MUP; steady on.

On the streets; blinking. Drivers tend to overlook just another steady little light on the side of the road.
Same here.
__________________
.
.

Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
Nachoman is offline  
Old 09-09-09, 08:21 AM
  #22  
umd
Banned
 
umd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Posts: 28,387

Bikes: Specialized Tarmac SL2, Specialized Tarmac SL, Giant TCR Composite, Specialized StumpJumper Expert HT

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Put another way, I guess you wouldn't mind if an oncoming car started flashing it's brights at you.
umd is offline  
Old 09-09-09, 08:51 AM
  #23  
Senior Member
 
MONGO!'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 4,279
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
I hate those team-gear type guys.
MONGO! is offline  
Old 09-09-09, 09:23 AM
  #24  
Draught
 
jwible's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Georgia
Posts: 4,051

Bikes: N-1 where N = number needed

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Modulating headlights are annoying. Some motorcycles have them. They get your attention. They distract you from all other hazards on the road for a moment.
jwible is offline  
Old 09-09-09, 10:56 AM
  #25  
serious cyclist
 
Bah Humbug's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Austin
Posts: 21,147

Bikes: S1, R2, P2

Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9334 Post(s)
Liked 3,679 Times in 2,026 Posts
Flashing headlights are a terrible idea.
Bah Humbug is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.