Jump to content

Easy on the night lights guys


Quintus

Recommended Posts

We came across six MTB riders heading up the tar road towards Rhodes Memorial at about 19:45 tonight.

 

We were heading in the opposite direction, downhill.

 

Of the six riders, three had both helmet mount and bar mount lights on full beam, possibly 900 lumens each. While the other three had just bar mounts, also full beam.

 

I tell you, we had to slow down to allow our eyes to readjust back to low light.

 

I ride at night often, and in my opinion, going uphill on a tar road does not require two lights on your person, not even one. One on dim is about sufficient.

 

Anybody agree, or disagree?

 

It's not lekker having 9 full beams burning your retinas. 

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 76
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Wait till tomorrow, and brace yourself

 

Popcorn time, perfect to warm up a chilly Friday.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

coincidence... had the same experience in Jhb, I come from MTB with super beams too and i tilt them downward when on the "roads or pavement"...

 

Damn i was blinded 

 

Motorists hate us enough already, lets not make it worse . Consideration for the next person makes You The Hero !!!

 

Happy Trails 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I agree. If you are amongst other road users, especially coming the other way, be considerate. Out on the trail on a night ride where everyone is mostly going in the same direction, it is a different story. Then you can give it beans.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I agree. If you are amongst other road users, especially coming the other way, be considerate. Out on the trail on a night ride where everyone is mostly going in the same direction, it is a different story. Then you can give it beans beams.

;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Did they shine their lights into your eyes? If so I would have ridden straight into them. If not I think you should just clean the milk up!

Thanks for the comments.

 

Yeah, MTB riders are polite and will greet you however this means you're blinded by the helmet mount light as they look in your direction

 

It's a case of realizing what you're doing. I'm hoping this post will raise consciousness about that. 

 

We dim our brights when there is oncoming traffic while driving a car, same should apply to bike lights.

 

In the event of an oncoming rider, bar mounts can be dimmed/pointed down and those with head mounts look down or away. I know when klapping the downhills you need full beam and your hands need to be on your bars steering, however on flats or uphills it would be possible.

 

Thanks for listening

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As I have been commuting this week, I have had my light on full beam in traffic. It has saved me threw times this week as the car was startled and does not just pull out of junction into me. So sometimes the bright lights are warranted to keep you visible and alive on the road. But where possible I do dim if not in danger.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

and don't forget the disco kings / ravers with their strobe lights...makes me wanna dance (off a cliff)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

When I ride in the dark, I am like Fikile Mbalula.

 

I JUST WANT TO BE SEEN.

 

I make no apologies either......

Link to comment
Share on other sites

and don't forget the disco kings / ravers with their strobe lights...makes me wanna dance (off a cliff)

 

Last year I had 3 near-misses in the traffic, when I rode with a strobe headlight. All related to people turning in front of me. After driving past someone riding with a strobe headlight, I reckoned the inability to perceive distance to the rider due to the strobe was a factor (apart from the driver d*ck factor of course). I changed to a longer lasting battery and ran on full beam, pointed down, and ever since haven't had THAT problem. Plenty of other traffic issues mind....;-)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hmm - In JHB i have resorted to the large strobes front and back on the bike after having numerous cars overtake in to the lane I am in. It makes them think twice when the strobes are there.

 

My 2 cents worth - its not an equal discussion - you have to make the object that you are stand out to be seen by motorists. On defensive motorbike riding they teach you to even weave to make yourself bigger as an object and therefore the motorists notice you and respond. I run all my lights on bright all the time on the motorbike and use orange covers on the headlights, which makes a huge difference.

 

SO i am a bit ambivalent if the guys blinded you - at least you noticed them, responded and took appropriate action 9careful they are cyclists). Going uphill or downhill doesn't really matter - it's about getting the motorists to notice you. Which is what 90% dont do.

 

And when the light blinds you the motorists immediately think "what is that - a motorbike - cause a bike headlight cant be that bright" and think twice. You see a bike is a small and soft and inconsequential thing but a motorbike is solid.

 

Also you cannot judge speed accurately when you notice an oncoming light, it takes a bit for you to work out how fast they are closing.

 

But the primary goal is to get noticed, by something a lot heavier and harder than you. And that they managed to do. SO i think that I am in the camp of the brighter the better.

 

Maybe flash them to dip. But you never know what the person behind you does, as you are a cyclist and aware. The other guy may be saying something lie thanks to those bright lights i saw them.

 

My 2 cents worth - at least trying to be objective.....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The topic I wished to raise was the consciousness to other riders on the trails with regard to using bright lights that could potentially be a safety hazard.

 

I'm in full agreement that full beam on the roads in traffic is the way to go. I do it. I want to be seen.

 

In my encounter with the 6 MTB riders, this was above the Rhodes Mem bottom gate, which by that time was closed. There were no cars therefore the necessity to be seen should fall away and the only purpose of light is now that of illuminating your path in front. Therefore, using two full beam lights is not necessary unless perhaps you're on a tricky downhill or on singly track.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The topic I wished to raise was the consciousness to other riders on the trails with regard to using bright lights that could potentially be a safety hazard.

 

I'm in full agreement that full beam on the roads in traffic is the way to go. I do it. I want to be seen.

 

In my encounter with the 6 MTB riders, this was above the Rhodes Mem bottom gate, which by that time was closed. There were no cars therefore the necessity to be seen should fall away and the only purpose of light is now that of illuminating your path in front. Therefore, using two full beam lights is not necessary unless perhaps you're on a tricky downhill or on singly track.

Okay got it - I see what you are saying.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Settings My Forum Content My Followed Content Forum Settings Ad Messages My Ads My Favourites My Saved Alerts My Pay Deals Help Logout