Safety Concerns With Respect to Early Morning Rides
08-12-21, 08:51 AM
#26
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If one does lose traction and slide out around a corner, is there a strategic way to handle that (clipped in)? Keep all limbs in close and ride it out? Frankly, I'm not sure that my reflexes are fast enough to allow me to execute anything intentional. I see a lot of slow autumn cornering in my future.
08-12-21, 09:10 AM
#27
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Thanks for all of the insight guys.
With regard to lights, I've got a Bontrager Ion that kicks out some serious lumens. One of the benefits of my having ridden the pathway in question many times (50+ now), in my opinion, is that it offers me few surprises in terms of terrain, points of congestions, and points of incoming pedestrian / cyclist flow.
With regard to vehicular traffic, there will be none on these pathways.
Bugs is an interesting wrinkle that I'd not previously considered.
With regard to lights, I've got a Bontrager Ion that kicks out some serious lumens. One of the benefits of my having ridden the pathway in question many times (50+ now), in my opinion, is that it offers me few surprises in terms of terrain, points of congestions, and points of incoming pedestrian / cyclist flow.
With regard to vehicular traffic, there will be none on these pathways.
Bugs is an interesting wrinkle that I'd not previously considered.
I don't see more bugs at dawn, that's a dusk problem in my experience.
08-12-21, 09:25 AM
#28
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Good lighting is key for me. I ride with two lights on the front when dark (morning or night). One is a 900 lumen and stays on 100% of the time is pointing straight ahead. The other is a 600 lumen in low mode and pointed down toward the ground about 25 feet in front of me. I also run with a red rear light all the time too.
08-13-21, 10:37 AM
#29
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Beware of boardwalks (if any on your route) wen they are dew covered or wet. Those can be like trying to ride on a liberally greased surface.
Cheers
Cheers
08-16-21, 12:00 PM
#30
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Only way for me to ride is to get it in before the kids get up so Im 4:30-6:30AM. I head to the country roads and usually only get passed by 4 cars my entire ride. If I head to the city, I take the MUP back as the traffic is busier (6-ish). I dont trust half-awake people trying to find the coffee cup while speeding.
I used a 700 lumen Lyzene light, but found that I would outrun it on the MUP through the woods. Happily switched to a 1300 and it has saved me from several downed trees. I keep it on medium when on the road, but switch to full in the trails. I also have a bright random flashing rear near the seat tube/top tube joint, and another on the back of my helmet.
Rabbits are the big problem for me, with deer being a close second. Rabbits pop out of nowhere and are extremely fast and unpredictable. Ive hit several of those. I got hit in the foot and rear wheel by a fawn last week, but didnt take me out thankfully.
Road lines/wood/metal sewers are really slippery in the morning. The large crosswalk stripes are really bad if you hit them on a turn.
I used a 700 lumen Lyzene light, but found that I would outrun it on the MUP through the woods. Happily switched to a 1300 and it has saved me from several downed trees. I keep it on medium when on the road, but switch to full in the trails. I also have a bright random flashing rear near the seat tube/top tube joint, and another on the back of my helmet.
Rabbits are the big problem for me, with deer being a close second. Rabbits pop out of nowhere and are extremely fast and unpredictable. Ive hit several of those. I got hit in the foot and rear wheel by a fawn last week, but didnt take me out thankfully.
Road lines/wood/metal sewers are really slippery in the morning. The large crosswalk stripes are really bad if you hit them on a turn.
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08-17-21, 05:04 PM
#33
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I avoid early rides:
Re-tired, Don't have to get up at 4:am no more.
Doe and Fawn crossed within 25' yesterday mid morning in area that frequently also has Elk crossing.
Lots of small critters.
Lots of drowsy drivers.
Soon, most MUP's and roads will be totally covered in wet slippery leaves.
My eyes aren't what they used to be
. . . . . . . . .
Is this enough excuses, to justify my core lazy streak ?
Re-tired, Don't have to get up at 4:am no more.
Doe and Fawn crossed within 25' yesterday mid morning in area that frequently also has Elk crossing.
Lots of small critters.
Lots of drowsy drivers.
Soon, most MUP's and roads will be totally covered in wet slippery leaves.
My eyes aren't what they used to be
. . . . . . . . .
Is this enough excuses, to justify my core lazy streak ?
08-18-21, 07:33 AM
#34
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w/ respect to "traction" what came to mind was staying away from painted road markings. I believe they can get slippery when wet, but it's not like ice
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08-18-21, 07:33 PM
#36
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Yeah, paint and metal (manhole covers, sewer grates, etc) can get slippery, but it's not that bad. Besides, who's going to be chucking it in to corners with reckless abandon on the pre-dawn MUPs?
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08-19-21, 05:42 AM
#37
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right but if one isn't expecting an issue, they can be caught off guard, maybe for an emergency stop or whatever. I remember reading on BF when someone posted they fell because if it. does the OP not ride on roads? sorry if I missed that
08-19-21, 09:08 AM
#38
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In the fall, leaves on pavement can be a bit of a challenge - especially if your trails are through wooded areas. Even if the path is otherwise dry, sometimes leaves that have fallen will hold a bit of moisture between them and the pavement, and slide around.
This time of year, my biggest challenge with pre-dawn rides is all the bugs. I keep meaning to buy some clear lens glasses to help with this.
This time of year, my biggest challenge with pre-dawn rides is all the bugs. I keep meaning to buy some clear lens glasses to help with this.
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08-19-21, 09:11 AM
#39
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I've always found that pre-dawn is the best time to be chucking it into corners with reckless abandon on the MUP.
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08-19-21, 11:47 AM
#40
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