Categories: Accessories and GearEtiquetteLa Vie VelominatusTechnologyThe Bikes

The Reflective Bike of Authority

Black reflective tape on the Rain Bike

Everyone knows you need at least three road bikes – two if you’re absolutely determined to make a point about minimalism. Bike Number One is reserved for good weather and events, and the Rain Bike for inclement weather. Just like our guns need to be pampered and rubbed down whenever we’re off the bike, any time Bike Number One isn’t being used as a weapon of Mass V-struction, it should be pampered and polished lovingly. Best to leave the dirty work of training in Rule #9 conditions to a dedicated, loyal workhorse with less expensive componentry. It isn’t so much that a bike can’t handle getting wet – don’t be ridiculous – but rather that everything wears more quickly; road grit gets into the drivetrain, water seeps into bearings, and brake pads and rims wear like butter on a grindstone.

I find myself in the enviable position of having my repaired Cervélo R3 holding rank as my current Rain Bike. Having such a steed at hand any time the rain falls makes riding in bad weather all the more enjoyable. I did make some modifications to it, however. For starters, the cassette and chain are both Veloce instead of Record; not only are the less expensive, they appear to be more durable as well. As for hoops, a pair of Mavic Open Pros can’t be beat for durability and reliability.

But perhaps the most important modification centers around making the bike elegantly hi-vis. In addition to Lezyne flashers front and back for visibility, I have also applied strips of black 3M reflective tape to the chain stays, seat post, crank arms, down tube, and head tube. When a light isn’t shining on the tape, you can’t even see its there, but under the shine of a car’s headlights, the bike springs to life.

Riding in bad weather is all about durability and safety; the bike should be outfitted with reliable parts, and the rider should take care to be safe and visible. So whenver you’re riding in Rule #9 conditions, remember these safety tips:

Assume the cars around you do not appreciate the dangers of being on a bicycle in the rain. If you find yourself being followed by a car at a point where it is unsafe for them to pass, either be assertive and take the lane to prevent them making a move that could put you at risk, or pull off the road completely to allow them to pass.
Ride with confidence and make predictable movements. Always signal clearly when making turns. Make eye contact with drivers at intersections and clearly indicate your intended direction of travel.
Always assume cars around you do not see you. Use flashers in any low light situations and give plenty of room to allow for increased stopping distance.
When riding at night, the use of both a helmet mounted light and handlebar mounted light helps drivers realize you are a bicycle and not a motorcycle. I’m not sure why this is, but experience has proven this to be the case.
Avoid riding through puddles, especially ones you can’t see the bottom of; potholes can be bigger than they appear or hidden completely by standing water.

Riding in bad weather means you’re a badass, but it also means cars are less likely to see you or expect to find you out on the road. In accordance with two of the V Tenets of the Velominati, we are to Look Fantastic at All Times, and Return Home Safely To Ride Again Tomorrow. My Reflective Bike of Authority plays nicely in both respects.

Vive la Vie Velominatus.

frank

The founder of Velominati and curator of The Rules, Frank was born in the Dutch colonies of Minnesota. His boundless physical talents are carefully canceled out by his equally boundless enthusiasm for drinking. Coffee, beer, wine, if it’s in a container, he will enjoy it, a lot of it. He currently lives in Seattle. He loves riding in the rain and scheduling visits with the Man with the Hammer just to be reminded of the privilege it is to feel completely depleted. He holds down a technology job the description of which no-one really understands and his interests outside of Cycling and drinking are Cycling and drinking. As devoted aesthete, the only thing more important to him than riding a bike well is looking good doing it. Frank is co-author along with the other Keepers of the Cog of the popular book, The Rules, The Way of the Cycling Disciple and also writes a monthly column for the magazine, Cyclist. He is also currently working on the first follow-up to The Rules, tentatively entitled The Hardmen. Email him directly at rouleur@velominati.com.

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Kyle says:

Apr 1 2014 at 10:39 am

@KW

A WI cogal is a necessity.

Cheesehead Roubaix is definitely on the agenda this year. I did the Door County Century last year. Very well run event.

I'm still not sure which other big rides I'm going to be able to do this year. Our baby is due in early September, so I'm afraid that a lot of late season stuff may have to go by the wayside this year. That said, I'd like to do Race the Lake. We'll see what happens.

I've also committed to ride the Cheesehead Robaiux (looking for tire advice) and hope to do the Ridges Ride in June. I agree on the DCC . I've done it for the last 4 years but will miss it this year. Am planning on the new Peninsula Century the following Saturday. Congrats to you and your misses.
KW says:

Apr 1 2014 at 11:13 am

BTW, nice to see the Wisconsinites hijack the thread (sorry @frank!).

Where's @The Oracle??
Marko says:

Apr 1 2014 at 11:36 am

@KW

BTW, nice to see the Wisconsinites hijack the thread (sorry @frank!).

Where's @The Oracle??

RedRanger should stick its head in here too.
Kyle says:

Apr 1 2014 at 12:02 pm

@KW

BTW, nice to see the Wisconsinites hijack the thread (sorry @frank!).

Where's @The Oracle??

With the weather we've been having, all we can do is talk about cycling. F**k'n snowing at this very minute.
unversio says:

Apr 1 2014 at 12:10 pm

@Puffy

http://shop.fyxo.co/predator-cycling-kit/

Adidas is not going to like the three stripes being used here. Adidas bought the trademark way back when and will always object to the use of 2, 3 or 4 stripes along the side of sweat pants that aren't theirs.
wiscot says:

Apr 1 2014 at 12:39 pm

@Kyle

@wiscot I agree with Wisconsin drivers. I once had a woman stop and flag me down to apologize for passing so closely. Thing about it was that I hadn't noticed.

I had a woman pull over on 144 north of West Bend a year or two ago to warn me that she'd heard there were thunderstorms heading in our direction. I was 10kms from home as it was and I thanked her profusely. Got home dry and she restored a little bit of my faith in humanity.
Teocalli says:

Apr 1 2014 at 12:50 pm

@wiscot There British broadcaster/writer Frank Muir and in his autobiography wrote that he was driving down a country road in an open top sport car, a woman going the other way yelled "PIG" as they passed. He was just thinking that was a bit rude when he crested a hill and hit a pig that was just over the brow.
frank says:

Apr 1 2014 at 1:40 pm

@DeKerr

@frank

@wiscot

Great piece! I finally rode #2 bike this weekend as the roads were sufficiently dry to warrant it. Otherwise, I've been plugging away on my mongrel winter/rain bike with judiciously applied red reflective tape. Where do you get the black stuff?

Just got the 3M stuff off Amazon. Tried getting it from local Marina supply stores, but none of them could get it.

Is buying from Amazon the same as buying local if you live in Seattle?

http://www.amazon.com/3M-03614-Scotch-Mount-Molding-Tape/dp/B002JOVUO0/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1396303874&sr=8-4&keywords=3m+black+tape

I think you meant:

http://www.amazon.com/3M-Scotchcal-Reflective-Striping-5-Inch/dp/B00063XI64/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8

Unless the moulding tape is what was used to fix the R3?

What the fuck is molding tape? Yes, I mean the stuff you pointed to!

@Barracuda

3M reflective tape just may be the new black !

I do alot, refer 2 kids, of night riding so if the tape doesnt detract from number 1 then I may give it a go. Sadly no rain bike option for me unless you count a circa 1989 steel "Dodsun" converted to a short flat bar or an OLD USPS Trek frame with no running gear.

Im covered back and front with Ay-Up twin headlights and a Thunderbolt tail light. Its the cars coming side on at country road intersections that can cause issues. Descreet flasher on the helmet might be an option and keep the head pointed to the approaching car on those side roads.

I have it on the sides of the head tube, and on my cranks as well. I've put a planet flasher on my helmet at time too; when its really dark. I don't think there's such a thing as being too visible so long as you still Look Fantastic. The flasher on the helmet is borderline.
frank says:

Apr 1 2014 at 1:44 pm

@Puffy

@sthilzy

Another tip is to give a salute/nod to the driver's that treats you with repsect on the road. They may even tell one of their fellow motorist that they had a good experience with sharing the road with a cyclist and may change the view of another driver or more for the better.

As it happens, I smile and wave both at the idots, and those going a little out of their way to do the right thing. Including the wanker in the cement truck on the rainy pre-dawn. There were only two of us on the road, but for somereason he decided to cut infront of me and slam on the brakes before taking off again. After cathing up with him and asking WTF he was playing it he replied "It's dark, wet, and slippery. You shouldn't be on the road". If only it were possible to charge him with attempted murder because that is what it was. How I stayed up right, and did not go under his wheels I don't know.

Same here, bees and honey and all that. If someone does something bad, its most likely that there is no reasoning with them, but yelling at them will only make them (a) defensive or (b) reinforce that cyclists are assholes.

The only success I've ever had was explaining to the driver what a bad situation that could have been and approach it in terms of a learning experience. Even then, the pickings are slim.
frank says:

Apr 1 2014 at 1:49 pm

@ChrisO, @Mikael Liddy

@ChrisO

@Frank It's been a while since I've had my pedant hat on but I don't think you meant "In accordance with two of The V Tenants of the Velominati..." unless it was a deliberate error, which to all intensive porpoises it could be.

V tenants would imply they were temporarily renting space, whereas V Tenets would mean they were fundamental principles.

delightfully done.

Indeed. Corrected. Gives you an idea the kind of work our Editors had on their hands. Its a miracle the book got printed at all.

@Dr C

Blimey, due reverence to rain bikes - dismantled my rain bike last weekend, and was overcome with guilt and expense as every fourth bolt I released snapped off, leaving me with two banjaxed derailleurs and a cahin that makes a circle in two separate planes!

This despite regular degreasing and dry lubing - I'll not describe the state of the headset bearings for fear of a lifetime ban

That said, I'm flogging the frame (giant Defy Aluxx) as I just hate riding it, and am swapping in a new Canyon Aluminium Ultimate AL SLX frame - can't wait - plan is I will want to take the long route home, where the white Defy (actually my wife's bike which I have pinched) is just too much like a busted sofa to make me want to ride it anywhere further than a crow's line home - anyway, it certainly owes me nothing, but I owe the LBS a few quid more than I thought I would - seems like a mothly full overhaul for the #2 next winter is in order

Just wait till you pull your BB. You will say to yourself, "I thought these were sealed?.."

I can't overstate how important it is to have a good rain bike and that its one you enjoy riding. It doesn't have to be an R3, for fucks sake - that just happened through stable attrition - but you have to be comfortable on it. First, you are in a riskier situation, so comfort and dependability is criticial, but also you'll ride it as much or more than your #1, so its worth the extra care to get it right.