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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cyclebrarian says:

Mar 31 2014 at 4:27 pm

Thanks for this, Frank. I rode in the rain yesterday - soaked (proudly) to the bone. I added better lights recently and think they made a difference. Good advice about the tape - going to look into it.
KW says:

Mar 31 2014 at 4:33 pm

@wiscot

You boys need to come and ride with me in my part of SE Wisconsin. Seriously, I have maybe 2-3 encounters with asshole drivers a year here. And we have big trucks - this is serious hunting country. Most drivers are extremely polite - wait to pass, wave at me unbidden. Of course, I try to be overly polite too.

Now when I lived in Indiana, it was a whole lot of the opposite . . .

That's cause you live up there in the middle of nowhere. You need to come down here and ride in the city more often!

Seriously though, I find that the drivers in the near suburbs are worse. They're soooo important, and I'm just in the way.
sthilzy says:

Mar 31 2014 at 4:33 pm

Great to see your R3 again! Still, that drop makes my eyes (nuts) squint!

Another spot for the reflective tape in on the rim face, facing the hub. Less is more, say three strips of tape equally spaced between the spokes gives a eye-catching "strobing affect".

I see those saftey tips apply in the dry and daytime as well.

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.
KW says:

Mar 31 2014 at 4:50 pm

@frank

@KW

I ride DT shifters, but they are enormous, and the young girls run - screaming.

Careful, you could get yourself arrested for that sort of thing.
cyclebrarian says:

Mar 31 2014 at 5:14 pm

@sthilzy

+1. I try and acknowledge good drivers who share the road and are courteous. I also acknowledge bad drivers but in a different way (kidding...sort of).
Optimiste says:

Mar 31 2014 at 5:19 pm

@unversio

@Ccos

@unversio

I'd try the camo trick but it just doesn't match the kit too well.

You have to wear all black to make it work.

Or you could go all-in and see if this gets you points with the locals:
Rob says:

Mar 31 2014 at 6:27 pm

Frank, ace reflective tape tip, thanks and thanks too @sthilzy, that rim job is getting laid on for maximum effect. I tell the VMH that I am lit up like a christmas tree so that she can yell at the bastide in court "which fecking light did you not see?".

Speaking of commuting in rain, down in the tropics it's often torrential but 25-30c so no Rule 9 but rather this bathtub like water fest. The traffic slows to 30-35kph and it makes for some of the most fun commutes, even to the point of getting in the fast lane to avoid the BB deep puddles - not so much to avoid going through but to avoid getting knocked over by the tire wash and wall of water thrown up.

@Optimiste

@unversio

@Ccos

@unversio

I'd try the camo trick but it just doesn't match the kit too well.

You have to wear all black to make it work.

Or you could go all-in and see if this gets you points with the locals:

Even if this saved your ass from some Deliverance type pig reaming it is ALL wrong unless maybe your commuting to your grow field...
unversio says:

Mar 31 2014 at 6:35 pm

@Optimiste Must be genuine RealTree or your asking for trouble.
Barracuda says:

Mar 31 2014 at 6:51 pm

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.
Puffy says:

Mar 31 2014 at 7:04 pm

@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.