Lights on bikes, 25 Jan 13

[Skexis]

I'll start by pointing out I'm a cyclist as well.

Did an early shift today into the city via Anzac Highway/West Terrace/King William St/King William Road and I have to say I was shocked, horrified, dismayed, aghast (take your pick) at the amount of lycra warriors out there this morning around 5-6am with no lights whatsoever. All those concerned were obviously off to do the Mutual Community bit of the TDU however I'm not sure why these people to whom I refer felt the need to be unlit.

Do you think you are so good a rider that you don't need lights? Do you think your lycra makes you somehow invincible or gives you superhuman powers? Or maybe you're delusional enough to think you are so good that the ounce or two the lights weigh really make that amount of difference to your speed.

Sad. Or pathetic. Not sure which.

[redned]

No lights is definitely a bad idea.
But I would like more evidence of a correlation between no lights and lycra. IME people without lights can be dressed in many ways.
And "warriors"?

[Skexis]

No lights is definitely a bad idea.
But I would like more evidence of a correlation between no lights and lycra. IME people without lights can be dressed in many ways.
And "warriors"?

Well, everyone I saw without lights today was clad in a TDU shirt, shorts and had a little red tag on their seatposts. As for "warriors", maybe substitute the word "wannabe's", "tryhards" or "desperado's". All would fit equally well imo.

[greyhoundtom]

I'll start by pointing out I'm a cyclist as well.

Do you think you are so good a rider that you don't need lights? Do you think your lycra makes you somehow invincible or gives you superhuman powers? Or maybe you're delusional enough to think you are so good that the ounce or two the lights weigh really make that amount of difference to your speed.

Sad. Or pathetic. Not sure which.

Why so aggressively down on “lycra clad” cyclists?
So you spotted some cyclists with no lights early in the morning.........big deal........

[il padrone]

Stealth riders come in all shapes, sizes and clothing types. Some even wear helmets

Most notably I believe that they all have the misguided belief that "because I can see the cars and trucks, they can see me!" Roadies in the pre-dawn hours don't seem to want to burden their sleek machines with the blemish (and weight ) of a strapped on light.

[__PG__]

Most notably I believe that they all have the misguided belief that "because I can see the cars and trucks, they can see me!" Roadies in the pre-dawn hours don't seem to want to burden their sleek machines with the blemish (and weight ) of a strapped on light.

Which is so stupid when you consider the size (and power) of modern USB- rechargeable LED front lights.

[Mulger bill]

Most notably I believe that they all have the misguided belief that "because I can see the cars and trucks, they can see me!"

Umm that'd be 'cos the cars and trucks have their lights on, sometimes...

It's right up there in my WCMO list.

[The Walrus]

I don't go out on the roadie at night but I delayed an early morning ride because I'm yet to get a front light!

Some people are just ignorant fantastic people!

EDIT - since when did our posts get moderated and changed? What I wrote is quite different to the above!

[find_bruce]

I've always found insulting people to be the best way to change their behaviour

[clackers]

I was shocked, horrified, dismayed, aghast (take your pick) at the amount of lycra warriors out there this morning around 5-6am with no lights whatsoever.

And of course, Skexis, road bikes are sold without reflectors or bells. Lots of assumptions there!

[Milar]

And of course, Skexis, road bikes are sold without reflectors or bells. Lots of assumptions there!

Many without pedals too, but I don't see too many having problems getting those fitted...

[clackers]

[clackers]

Many without pedals too, but I don't see too many having problems getting those fitted...

Don't see too many taking to the road without pedals, though, Milar!

Lights and reflectors for night riding aren't difficult or expensive, but ....

[jasonc]

No lights is definitely a bad idea.

almost got it right. No lights = no idea.

[Mulger bill]

I don't go out on the roadie at night but I delayed an early morning ride because I'm yet to get a front light!

Some people are just ignorant fantastic people!

EDIT - since when did our posts get moderated and changed? What I wrote is quite different to the above!

I know, and so does the automated naughty word censor.

I may agree with your sentiment, but not your choice of words.

I'll leave it at that-For Now

Shaun

[Cruiserman]

I'll start by pointing out I'm a cyclist as well.


Sad. Or pathetic. Not sure which.

And a mighty perfect one at that. Your bike must be bristling with lights, bells, reflectors, plastic bags to pick up errant dog droppings the list goes on. If people choose to ride in lycra doesnt automatically make the a wanna be or a try hard or a warrior - maybe they find the clothing most suited to riding the most suitable. Not sure what it is on here lately if we cant have a lets crucify Armstrong thread it seems it has to be lets bag out lycra wearing cyclists. Thus I would say Sad AND Pathetic.

[outnabike]

I'll start by pointing out I'm a cyclist as well.


Do you think you are so good a rider that you don't need lights?
Sad. Or pathetic. Not sure which.

snipped


Hi Skexis,

I don't think this comes into the equation at all....Consider what it's going to look like at daylight; all lined up with the boys and displaying a light!!!!

[gpz1100]

ive got the aldi lights on my bike argggg they look crap.when i see somebody with a nice LED light,i get light envy.

[fatdudeonabike]

Drawing a correlation between lycra and a lack of lights is drawing a long bow I think. In my experience (extensive driving and limited cycling), quite the opposite is true.
Yes, some of the "lycra warriors" (of which I'm not one) are douchey in not wanting an extra 100g weight on their bikes - but I usually find that they're more serious about their riding, they do more of it and dont to be hit, and even more than that, they dont want their bikes being hit!

I tend to find that people without lights are generally commuters, operating their bikes on a smallest budget possible - and so they don't bother with things like lights or visible clothing.

[Skexis]

Indeed and these would be the people one would assume wouldn't have the lights. Those to whom I refer were far from that though. Underneath them were an impressive array of carbon fibred machines displaying high level logos. Thousands of dollars worth of bike yet no lamps and yes, my bikes all have front and rear lights, reflectors, bells etc. Not bristling as such, but they are present and do work.

[The Walrus]

I don't go out on the roadie at night but I delayed an early morning ride because I'm yet to get a front light!

Some people are just ignorant fantastic people!

EDIT - since when did our posts get moderated and changed? What I wrote is quite different to the above!

I know, and so does the automated naughty word censor.

I may agree with your sentiment, but not your choice of words.

I'll leave it at that-For Now

Shaun

Haha...maybe I'm too vulgar for BNA

[twizzle]

I love how people pick on the irrelevant stuff. The OP puts contextual information in a post, a bunch of people ignore the key message and bitch about the meaningless detail.


Sent from my iThingy...

[Boognoss]

I love how people pick on the irrelevant stuff. The OP puts contextual information in a post, a bunch of people ignore the key message and bitch about the meaningless detail.


Sent from my iThingy...

+1

Nutshell version of thread: Some people regardless of who they are or their chosen method of transport are stupid.


Sent from my iSomethingorother using Tapatalk HD

[gorilla monsoon]

I love how people pick on the irrelevant stuff. The OP puts contextual information in a post, a bunch of people ignore the key message and bitch about the meaningless detail.


Sent from my iThingy...

My sentiments exactly, skexis makes a valid point or two. Don't shoot the messenger.

[ColinOldnCranky]

And of course, Skexis, road bikes are sold without reflectors or bells. Lots of assumptions there!

Many without pedals too, but I don't see too many having problems getting those fitted...

LOL