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james tebo - 11/02/2009 Thought I’d pass along a product review here not often that I do this.. but, for those that cycle seriously.. this IS a product you should look at – read this first then look at the pictures.. !
Recently, I purchased a “down low glow” for the purpose of being seen more readily while riding in the dark – as you know except for the weekends coming up – if you going to ride it’ll be at dusk to dark or dark to dawn.. with the added seasonal snowbirds coming back – the risk for incident increases dramatically –as we all know..
I’ve got 3 roads that I frequent that I often experience too close for comfort close calls..
1) Livingston road from Davis to Pine Ridge
2) 10th ave north from 41 to mall (was hit by a car here)
3) Horse monument at Lely between 6:45 and 6:55 (usually)
I fully tested this lighting at night and pushed reaction from drivers to illicit that I truly was being seen.. And being that I ride BELOW most drivers line of sight (Optima Baron low racer) – makes the following testaments even more impressive.
- On Livingston I had (2) trucks fully brake and merge to next lane giving me ample room (more than half the lane) as they went by.. that does not happen usually –
- On 10th ave there are many blind intersection (damn plants) – I had (3) cars on yellow light start to go through an intersection then reactively brake as their eyes caught the light.. This scenario I’d say is 50% of car / bike close calls – Even though I was already braking for stop – this was a good thing to see. Doesn’t mean I blast through that intersection in the future – but was a confirming reassurance.
- In Lely – now that’s school’s in – I generally hit a line of High school drivers – I don’t know which is worse – their inexperience or at the other end – older folks that don’t have the reactive instincts that they once had.. in the two rides in lely that I’ve taken – both times I drivers braked on the right hand turn from 41 into lely to allow me to u-turn.. that’s a positive response.
On the lighter side some other notes..
- I caused one grounds guy – in Lely to swerve pretty extremely as I passed by – We race often in the mornings – some of those carts they have can get it going.. I stopped and his response and he mention the light caught his eye as I came up on him.. he thought I was en fuego!
- One three occasions – I had drivers in the opposite lanes – across medians mind you – come to a complete stop and watch me go by.. They must have thought I was a UFO! =- now look at the pics!
So I would say one of the better c-notes I’ve spent over the years!
Jim
