Looking at possible new job

[Drago]

And in good weather during daylight remember yellow florries are difficult to discern against the green background, hence the likes or Mountain Rescue wearing red.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

What feels like a narrow country lane in a car, can feel like a wide road on a bike. It’s the fat car making it seem narrow. Try riding it on your bike and see how it feels. My commute was country lanes for a little over two decades without issue.

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

Saw a bloke cycling up a hill the other day with a front light on the rear of his bike. Pointed it out, he looked nonplussed. Hopefully he is not riding around any country lanes in the dark!

I always think reflective gear is better than hi viz. That and good lights as pointed out by all is good enough for a driver paying attention to see you. Disappointed to see the op say that oncoming drivers are trying to crowd them out, I cycle a fair few narrow roads and people are accommodating in general, certainly don't get people trying to squeeze me very often at all.

 

[YMFB]

I've always found that if im well lit up and visible its not to bad. Ideally 2 front lights, 1 bright light to be seen and also see with. I've found a decent light on the helmet is a must. You can blind them with eye contact when they get to close. 2 rear lights Ideally both flashing. Don't get cheap flashing cree ones off temu as the flash rate is to high and maybe cause problems. Always keep them charged.

I use a Ravemen front light which is great for being seen but poor at lighting the road ahead. I have an Exposure for seeing but don’t need that so much as I try to leave before it gets that dark.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

I cycle a fair few narrow roads and people are accommodating in general, certainly don't get people trying to squeeze me very often at all.

The OP was driving the lane, not cycling. Disappointing still

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

The OP was driving the lane, not cycling. Disappointing still

Cheers, misread that!

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

Retro-reflective gloves, toe covers and gillet-type thing over your winter jacket (unless that has R-R bands on it).

I imagine you can get retro-reflective grips now for hybrids and MTBs at least.

 

[oxoman]

Proviz do a range of riding stuff and all highly reflective at night.

 

[steveindenmark]

I commuted on similar roads 20km for 20 years. I am still here.

I always had 2 lights to front and 2 to rear, plus vis vest.

 

[Alex321]

I commute on narrow ciontry lanes for about half my commute of 15 miles each way.

I actually feel safer in the dark, because I have more warning of cars approaching round bends

 

[Alex321]

I use a Ravemen front light which is great for being seen but poor at lighting the road ahead. I have an Exposure for seeing but don’t need that so much as I try to leave before it gets that dark.

There are a range of light in both Ravemen and Exposure brands

I use a Ravemen front lighht as well, but mine (PR-1600) is very good both for seeing with and being seen by.


Really bright main beam, but witrh a dip function toggled by a wireless buttoin o the handlebars that I can reach with my thumb in my normal riding position, so I don't dazzle oncoming traffic.

 

[geocycle]

Definitely use two rear lights, l have a dynamo light on the mudguard and a battery one on the rack. Last night I got home to realise the battery had given up mid ride! I have carried a spare rechargeable front light for years as a spare but I’ve never needed it with the front dynamo light.

 

[mjr]

Blinding drivers coming towards you probably isn't the best of ideas!

As well as the obvious danger, it's super illegal and sod's law means you'll do it to an unmarked cop car at some point.

 

[mjr]

Definitely use two rear lights, l have a dynamo light on the mudguard and a battery one on the rack. Last night I got home to realise the battery had given up mid ride! I have carried a spare rechargeable front light for years as a spare but I’ve never needed it with the front dynamo light.

I dissent on this: get one good light, either dynamo or battery with gauge, and put it where you can check on it easily. Keep a lithium blinky in the bag in case it breaks, but one good light with a large lit area that makes you look like a moped at a distance is better than two red fairy lights.

I also dissent on hi-vis. Lights and reflectives yes, but hi vis didn't work well for me in the villages. I think it makes you look like a bin man or roadworker and they don't move fast!

 

[Alex321]

As well as the obvious danger, it's super illegal and sod's law means you'll do it to an unmarked cop car at some point.

The only issue with that illegality is that it is a totally subjective test. There is no defined way of meauring whether a light is dazzling or not.

And far too many modern vehicles, particularly vans and big 4x4s with headlights high up, have lights which IMO are much too dazzling even when dipped. Which never seem to get done for it.