Rider with no front light

[Flyboy]

going into Llangollen from Trevor , around 4.30, it is pitch black by then.
A roadie coming the other way all in black and no front light . He was so hard to see as he was dressed all in black.
Hope he got home ok , he was prob just caught out by the early nights setting in . But a good 360 vision jacket or top would have been a god send.

 

[Jimidh]

It's happened to me before when I've not anticipated the dark nights creeping in but I've only been a few miles from home and on main lit roads. - still a bit daft though,

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

It always astounds me how many people who wear black when cycling get seen...

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

It always astounds me how many people who wear black when cycling get seen...

And they say hi-viz is visible, apparently black is just as good

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

And they say hi-viz is visible, apparently black is just as good

So it would appear, very rarely do you see threads with "I saw a cyclist wearing hi-viz today..." but thread after thread of these obvious cyclists in black. Astonishing.

 

[Flyboy]

Is black more streamlined ha ha

 

[HLaB]

It's happened to me before when I've not anticipated the dark nights creeping in but I've only been a few miles from home and on main lit roads. - still a bit daft though,

If I know there's a danger of that I carry a small Cateye EL410, its on its last legs though after about 10 years of good service so I've bought these tiny wee lights for an emergency. They obviously wont be legal but they'll hopefully give me something in an emergency.

It always astounds me how many people who wear black when cycling get seen...

In the Black kit debate I've never worn pure black kit but something with a bold contrasting white or a colour but drivers seem to give me more room compared to when I've wear Hi Vis. I personally like to wear something in between but I can understand somebody opting for pure black.

 

[Lonestar]

going into Llangollen from Trevor , around 4.30, it is pitch black by then.
A roadie coming the other way all in black and no front light . He was so hard to see as he was dressed all in black.
Hope he got home ok , he was prob just caught out by the early nights setting in . But a good 360 vision jacket or top would have been a god send.

Nothing unusual about that in Londinium.

 

[vickster]

Nothing unusual about that in Londinium.

Indeed, plenty around here seem to think they don't need any lights to go with their black garb

 

[HLaB]

[QUOTE 4554410, member: 9609"]I don't have a front light, if the daylight starts to fade I will just stop if anything comes the other way. (3 rear lights though)[/QUOTE]
Thats the theory I had when I first started cycling but there's too many numpties that pull out, and no fault of them, drivers who simply don't see you and have their full beams on.

 

[Lonestar]

Indeed, plenty around here seem to think they don't need any lights to go with their black garb

I think it's looney and I shudder when I see them on a dark road with a car approaching.

 

[HLaB]

[QUOTE 4554432, member: 9609"]I am talking about roads where you will be seeing less than a car a mile (and no peds or other cyclists) and most definitely wouldn't be going in front of anybody about to pull out. I don't really trust drovers in the middle of the day[/QUOTE]
Thats fine but you are feuling the numpties unfortunately that will use anything to criticise a cyclist (they all ride round with no lights, jump red's etc)

 

[NorthernDave]

Its easy to get caught out at this time of year - or for a set of batteries to give up the ghost with no warning, just like my rechargeable second rear light, which seems to only last for two hours, even on the low / flash mode

I was surprised by how quickly the light went yesterday and although I got home before it was fully dark I was glad I'd got the decent lights on the bike.

I've got a set of these for emergencies:
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/LIBKLI/bookman-light-set
They're definitely "be seen" only lights and almost certainly not legal, but they are small enough to keep in the saddle bag in case you need them.

 

[Flyboy]

My front light is so bright I have had cars flashing me thinking I am a motorbike with full beam on, I obviously dip it when that happens

 

[ianrauk]

My front light is so bright I have had cars flashing me thinking I am a motorbike with full beam on, I obviously dip it when that happens

Well it would be a good idea to dip it before you get cars flashing at you.