UPDATED: Cyclists: I was almost run down by a 7 ton Bus

[DaShen]

Originally posted by: Fausto

Originally posted by: DaShen

Originally posted by: oboeguy

Originally posted by: mechBgon
I just got my Niterider Flamethrower last night, charged it up, and went out for a quick test spin in the neighborhood last night. First motorist to see it coming the other way flashed their high beams at me, turn that thang down!! :evil: Can't wait to see what it's like on a snow-covered roadway... I may need sunglasses

Yes, I commute by bicycle all winter, studded tires and all My city is in a bit of a valley, and in the winter we often get a temperature-inversion situation going that traps the air over the city. Under those conditions, auto exhaust contributes to some pretty unhealthy air, I think we ranked third-worst in the nation under those conditions. So by not using my car to drive a short distance (~5 miles / 8km) to/from work, I save the community a significant amount of CO2 production, plus pollution from a cold engine, and of course I save what it costs to park and buy gasoline. I do produce a little CO2 myself, but I've got an arrangement with the local trees that covers that.



edit: ooops, my mile-to-kilometer conversion skillz are weak this morning

That's a wicked light. How much did you cough up for that?

And OP, UPDATE OR BAN! (I hope you weren't hit by a bus, which of course could be keeping you from posting)

HIDs are hella expensive.

I just use LEDs, but I don't bike on pitch black roads at night. Dangerous.

It's actually not bad if you have a few buddies with you. Drivers will generally give you more room than they do during the day as they're not sure WTF the mass of lihts coming down the road is.

Yeah, I almost always ride with a group at night, but when I ride to my friends house, I ride back home by myself. I always try to keep to well lit rodes.

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: DaShen

Originally posted by: Fausto

Originally posted by: DaShen

Originally posted by: oboeguy

Originally posted by: mechBgon
I just got my Niterider Flamethrower last night, charged it up, and went out for a quick test spin in the neighborhood last night. First motorist to see it coming the other way flashed their high beams at me, turn that thang down!! :evil: Can't wait to see what it's like on a snow-covered roadway... I may need sunglasses

Yes, I commute by bicycle all winter, studded tires and all My city is in a bit of a valley, and in the winter we often get a temperature-inversion situation going that traps the air over the city. Under those conditions, auto exhaust contributes to some pretty unhealthy air, I think we ranked third-worst in the nation under those conditions. So by not using my car to drive a short distance (~5 miles / 8km) to/from work, I save the community a significant amount of CO2 production, plus pollution from a cold engine, and of course I save what it costs to park and buy gasoline. I do produce a little CO2 myself, but I've got an arrangement with the local trees that covers that.



edit: ooops, my mile-to-kilometer conversion skillz are weak this morning

That's a wicked light. How much did you cough up for that?

And OP, UPDATE OR BAN! (I hope you weren't hit by a bus, which of course could be keeping you from posting)

HIDs are hella expensive.

I just use LEDs, but I don't bike on pitch black roads at night. Dangerous.

It's actually not bad if you have a few buddies with you. Drivers will generally give you more room than they do during the day as they're not sure WTF the mass of lihts coming down the road is.

Yeah, I almost always ride with a group at night, but when I ride to my friends house, I ride back home by myself. I always try to keep to well lit rodes.

I have a Nightsun on my bars and a 15W Nightrider spot on my helmet. Cars definitely see me coming.

 

[Aquila76]

Originally posted by: DaShen

Originally posted by: oboeguy

Originally posted by: mechBgon
I just got my Niterider Flamethrower last night, charged it up, and went out for a quick test spin in the neighborhood last night. First motorist to see it coming the other way flashed their high beams at me, turn that thang down!! :evil: Can't wait to see what it's like on a snow-covered roadway... I may need sunglasses

Yes, I commute by bicycle all winter, studded tires and all My city is in a bit of a valley, and in the winter we often get a temperature-inversion situation going that traps the air over the city. Under those conditions, auto exhaust contributes to some pretty unhealthy air, I think we ranked third-worst in the nation under those conditions. So by not using my car to drive a short distance (~5 miles / 8km) to/from work, I save the community a significant amount of CO2 production, plus pollution from a cold engine, and of course I save what it costs to park and buy gasoline. I do produce a little CO2 myself, but I've got an arrangement with the local trees that covers that.



edit: ooops, my mile-to-kilometer conversion skillz are weak this morning

That's a wicked light. How much did you cough up for that?

And OP, UPDATE OR BAN! (I hope you weren't hit by a bus, which of course could be keeping you from posting)

HIDs are hella expensive.

I just use LEDs, but I don't bike on pitch black roads at night. Dangerous.

Hope that thing lasts, looks like for several reviewers of that HID it lasted about three charges and died. I hardly ride at night, so my ghetto-fabulous-MAG-light-velcroed-to-the-stem works fine when I need it. :laugh:

 

[DaShen]

Originally posted by: Aquila76
Hope that thing lasts, looks like for several reviewers of that HID it lasted about three charges and died. I hardly ride at night, so my ghetto-fabulous-MAG-light-velcroed-to-the-stem works fine when I need it. :laugh:

That is seriously the most ghetto bike light I have heard of. No wait, do you remember those bike light generators. hahahaaha.

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: Aquila76

Originally posted by: DaShen

Originally posted by: oboeguy

Originally posted by: mechBgon
I just got my Niterider Flamethrower last night, charged it up, and went out for a quick test spin in the neighborhood last night. First motorist to see it coming the other way flashed their high beams at me, turn that thang down!! :evil: Can't wait to see what it's like on a snow-covered roadway... I may need sunglasses

Yes, I commute by bicycle all winter, studded tires and all My city is in a bit of a valley, and in the winter we often get a temperature-inversion situation going that traps the air over the city. Under those conditions, auto exhaust contributes to some pretty unhealthy air, I think we ranked third-worst in the nation under those conditions. So by not using my car to drive a short distance (~5 miles / 8km) to/from work, I save the community a significant amount of CO2 production, plus pollution from a cold engine, and of course I save what it costs to park and buy gasoline. I do produce a little CO2 myself, but I've got an arrangement with the local trees that covers that.



edit: ooops, my mile-to-kilometer conversion skillz are weak this morning

That's a wicked light. How much did you cough up for that?

And OP, UPDATE OR BAN! (I hope you weren't hit by a bus, which of course could be keeping you from posting)

HIDs are hella expensive.

I just use LEDs, but I don't bike on pitch black roads at night. Dangerous.

Hope that thing lasts, looks like for several reviewers of that HID it lasted about three charges and died. I hardly ride at night, so my ghetto-fabulous-MAG-light-velcroed-to-the-stem works fine when I need it. :laugh:

I know a LOT of guys into 24-hour MTB racing and I've not heard of issues with the HIDs.

FWIW.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: oboeguy

Originally posted by: mechBgon
I just got my Niterider Flamethrower last night, charged it up, and went out for a quick test spin in the neighborhood last night. First motorist to see it coming the other way flashed their high beams at me, turn that thang down!! :evil: Can't wait to see what it's like on a snow-covered roadway... I may need sunglasses

Yes, I commute by bicycle all winter, studded tires and all My city is in a bit of a valley, and in the winter we often get a temperature-inversion situation going that traps the air over the city. Under those conditions, auto exhaust contributes to some pretty unhealthy air, I think we ranked third-worst in the nation under those conditions. So by not using my car to drive a short distance (~5 miles / 8km) to/from work, I save the community a significant amount of CO2 production, plus pollution from a cold engine, and of course I save what it costs to park and buy gasoline. I do produce a little CO2 myself, but I've got an arrangement with the local trees that covers that.



edit: ooops, my mile-to-kilometer conversion skillz are weak this morning

That's a wicked light. How much did you cough up for that?

[/quote]I picked it up for $350 at Colorado Cyclist on sale (they're discontinued) and I've got the gnarly daytime-visibile taillight coming from REI to accompany it (had to use up my dividend). I just hope mine doesn't have those oddball chip issues that prevent complete charging. If it does, NR will back it.

The HID Flamethrower replaces my ancient Niterider Nitehawk halogen dual-beam system, which has a break in the charging wiring. But typical Niterider, they said they'd repair that for $20, just send it in. That's on a ~7-year-old light system. This is the company with the long-term support, folks

I have the first-generation version of the Niterider taillight too, they're almost TOO powerful at night, for people unfortunate enough to get right in the line of fire at close range (e.g. stopped at a stoplight behind me). But if you want to Be visible, it's the most potent production taillight in existence. Day or night, people WILL see it.


BTW DivideBYZero, so you have long hair then?


edit: US residents who want HID goodness but $350 is slightly too high, ColoradoCyclist does have the old Blowtorch HID for $299. But the power output is a little lower, no LED assist, 5-hour charge time instead of 2.5-hour. Or they have the Storm (helmet-mounted sister model) for the same price.

 

[IEC]

I know exactly what you're talking about, cyclists don't get the respect they should unfortunately

Even when you have the right of way it's a good idea to be alert to ignorant/dangerous drivers, it's called defensive "driving" (in this case cycling). Good luck nailing that bloody fool.

 

[mechBgon]

I have a Nightsun on my bars and a 15W Nightrider spot on my helmet.

Those 15W Niteriders are like laser beams, nice tight focus Awesome helmet light, just be careful not to hurt anyone with it :evil:

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: mechBgon

I have a Nightsun on my bars and a 15W Nightrider spot on my helmet.

Those 15W Niteriders are like laser beams, nice tight focus Awesome helmet light, just be careful not to hurt anyone with it :evil:

It's kind of annoying to have the weight on my head, but it's great for making sure a driver sees you. Any time I think someone's going to pull out in front of me, I just aim it at their head.

 

[oboeguy]

BTW, continuing the "light" arc (no pun intended) of this thread... don't HID's mess with wireless computers and HRMs? That's a deal breaker for me.

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: oboeguy
BTW, continuing the "light" arc (no pun intended) of this thread... don't HID's mess with wireless computers and HRMs? That's a deal breaker for me.

Not that I'm aware, but I don't have one so I could be wrong.

Check rec.bicycles.tech or cyclingforums

 

[Aquila76]

Originally posted by: DaShen

Originally posted by: Aquila76
Hope that thing lasts, looks like for several reviewers of that HID it lasted about three charges and died. I hardly ride at night, so my ghetto-fabulous-MAG-light-velcroed-to-the-stem works fine when I need it. :laugh:

That is seriously the most ghetto bike light I have heard of. No wait, do you remember those bike light generators. hahahaaha.

Funny you should mention those. I'm working on restoring my Dad's old bike (early-50's era Raleigh 3-speed) and he has the original tire generator kit on it. I hope I can get it to work again, if for nothing else than giggles. That bike is a monster; it must weigh at least 25lbs - about eight times the weight of my mountain bike!

 

[Aquila76]

Originally posted by: Fausto

Originally posted by: Aquila76

Hope that thing lasts, looks like for several reviewers of that HID it lasted about three charges and died. I hardly ride at night, so my ghetto-fabulous-MAG-light-velcroed-to-the-stem works fine when I need it. :laugh:

I know a LOT of guys into 24-hour MTB racing and I've not heard of issues with the HIDs.

FWIW.

HIDs are great, but that particular one got some fairly poor reviews on the lifespan. Looks like a manufacturing/part batch defect that they'll RMA for cheap, tho.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: zebano
Finally in almost every state in the U.S. you can be ticketed for riding on the sidewalk. A bicycle is defined as a vehicle and has to follow all the same rules as any other vehicle.

QFT

Originally posted by: LS20
what i dislike, as a biker, are other cyclists who break the law. ie im riding next to a bike and we come to a stop sign with other cars on the cross-street. i come to a stop and the other biker blows right by. he upsets the people in the car, and creates an awkward situation for me...
also, on a large and busy street here, the city rightly designated a bike lane. however, there are many retards going to school on teh OPPOSITE direction on the bike lane.

Yup, some bikers give others a bad name, just like some road ragers give other car drivers a bad name. Breaking the law is breaking the law. Up to LE to pull over cyclists who break the law.

Originally posted by: YoshiSato
I follow the law of weight. a 30 ton semi truck has more right away then a 1500 pound sedan.

Sure he may get a moving violation but it does'nt do you any good of your a smear on the road

That's how I feel. Who cares if I'm right when I'm in pain or dead.

Originally posted by: Aquila76
That bike is a monster; it must weigh at least 25lbs - about eight times the weight of my mountain bike!

I'm jealous. I want a 3lbs mountain bike also.

 

[tooltime]

that driver is crazy

 

[tooltime]

i totally agree this guy is nuts and should be arrested

 

[tooltime]

sometimes i have noticed cyclists do take big risks while riding though

 

[rmrf]

update needed.

 

[BSEagle1]

Give that piece of trash hell. I know how you feel...some drivers are downright crazy here in the US too and totally ignore right-of-way laws. We were trying to cross a street at a crosswalk once that passes across a two way street. We were stuck in the middle of the road for about 5 minutes because NOONE would stop, even when we gestured.

 

[Anghang]

keep us updated...hope that driver gets owned bigtime...

 

[DivideBYZero]

Bump for update. Not much is happening. The cops are gathering CCTV so this may take a while.


/0

 

[HardcoreRobot]

yesterday my friend was biking to work at 430 in the morning and a deer ran out of the bushes right in front of him

hes a little scraped up, and the deer fell over but then took off

 

[DaShen]

---> Bump-alicious
Get that sucka

 

[Scarpozzi]

Nice. I hope they get this guy. I bike to work every now and then and can't stand people who feel that just because their vehicle has a motor in it, they rule the road.

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
Nice. I hope they get this guy. I bike to work every now and then and can't stand people who feel that just because their vehicle has a motor in it, they rule the road.

My commute is pretty uneventful 90% of the time. My biggest worry is dodging the retarded Emory Univ. students who never bother to look before going on a jaywalking excursion. :roll: