22-04-15, 08:56 AM
OK, so I've had time to sleep and calm down.
Darrsi, I normally wear a hi-viz jacket and only occasionally go out with out one on (and even then it's stashed under the seat) and find that around here, it makes next to no difference. I'm in Peterborough which is surrounded by 70mph dual carriageways with major roundabouts connecting them, and people just seem to be in such a rush to get onto and off the roundabouts that they just don't look long enough. Especially when at each entrance to said roundabouts there are bushes and shrubs, I think designed to obstruct the view onto them, making it more likely that drivers stop. Alas, they don't.
My bike has had the dual headlight mod done, and I even have white LED (stupid bright) sidelights fitted to give a contrast between the headlights and sidelights to make people think "Wait a minute, that looks weird". I use my bike for commuting and fun riding and really don't want to go adding truck loads of extra lighting to it and ruin the look of it. That and every time I then go to it I'll think that the lights are only on there to stop me dying, and it'll remove all the enjoyment.
Perhaps some subtly placed extra lighting, and louder exhaust, and a massive air horn
Noggy, you're not wrong about being tired, I was for the first two weeks I had off, but strangely I seem to be more awake this last week than before she arrived. I think though that I'm going to have a bit of time off from the bike, take the car to work and try to ignore the nice weather. The thing is that I'm not in the position of being able to have the bike for just fun or summer riding, as we could really do with getting a bigger car, considering all the extra stuff you need to take out with you and the massive German Sheppard which takes up the boot of our Focus. Plus, I think riding every day (or nearly every day) makes me more aware of traffic and less likely to get into trouble by only riding occasionally.
I'll give it a couple of weeks/a month and see how I feel. I love my bike and even if I sell it and get another in a few years, I'll probably regret selling this one, but I also need to have a proper think about it. I'll still be hanging round here though
Darrsi, I normally wear a hi-viz jacket and only occasionally go out with out one on (and even then it's stashed under the seat) and find that around here, it makes next to no difference. I'm in Peterborough which is surrounded by 70mph dual carriageways with major roundabouts connecting them, and people just seem to be in such a rush to get onto and off the roundabouts that they just don't look long enough. Especially when at each entrance to said roundabouts there are bushes and shrubs, I think designed to obstruct the view onto them, making it more likely that drivers stop. Alas, they don't.
My bike has had the dual headlight mod done, and I even have white LED (stupid bright) sidelights fitted to give a contrast between the headlights and sidelights to make people think "Wait a minute, that looks weird". I use my bike for commuting and fun riding and really don't want to go adding truck loads of extra lighting to it and ruin the look of it. That and every time I then go to it I'll think that the lights are only on there to stop me dying, and it'll remove all the enjoyment.
Perhaps some subtly placed extra lighting, and louder exhaust, and a massive air horn
Noggy, you're not wrong about being tired, I was for the first two weeks I had off, but strangely I seem to be more awake this last week than before she arrived. I think though that I'm going to have a bit of time off from the bike, take the car to work and try to ignore the nice weather. The thing is that I'm not in the position of being able to have the bike for just fun or summer riding, as we could really do with getting a bigger car, considering all the extra stuff you need to take out with you and the massive German Sheppard which takes up the boot of our Focus. Plus, I think riding every day (or nearly every day) makes me more aware of traffic and less likely to get into trouble by only riding occasionally.
I'll give it a couple of weeks/a month and see how I feel. I love my bike and even if I sell it and get another in a few years, I'll probably regret selling this one, but I also need to have a proper think about it. I'll still be hanging round here though