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.

Next Gravity »

Previous « Le Graveur: The Margins

View Comments

Puffy says:

Mar 31 2014 at 7:11 pm

@Barracuda

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.

A buddy lives in a small town full of give-way signs. Cars entering roads at night without looking is a problem for him so he put the (legally required!) wheel reflectors back on his bike. They are white, not yellow but swears despite the ugly look, the swirls they make at night in a cars headlights has been a life saver more than once.

@Optimiste

Must be a trend with this camo gear or sommat? I can't fathom it myself...

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

Mar 31 2014 at 7:23 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.

I wave to every car that passes in either direction, especially cars traveling in the other lane. And make sure to wave when I am at the back of the pace line or on the front. A small gesture that humanizes you rather that being seen as an obstacle for irate drivers. And the extra motion helps catch attention if a driver just isn't looking. When necessary the wave can quickly be changed over to the "fuck off" motion of recourse -- or best to let the wave stand.
Barracuda says:

Mar 31 2014 at 7:27 pm

@Puffy

@Barracuda

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.

A buddy lives in a small town full of give-way signs. Cars entering roads at night without looking is a problem for him so he put the (legally required!) wheel reflectors back on his bike. They are white, not yellow but swears despite the ugly look, the swirls they make at night in a cars headlights has been a life saver more than once.

@Optimiste

Must be a trend with this camo gear or sommat? I can't fathom it myself...

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

This, or as Fiasco in Adelaide do http://www.fiascociclismo.com/ for the times when you need to go and ride in iraq.
unversio says:

Mar 31 2014 at 7:33 pm

@Rob

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

Confession: wore Black DND gloves last hunting season and they were great. When "sign of the camo" version came out last year I thought better DND gloves for hunting, but they have become a winter thing for me on the bike.
sthilzy says:

Mar 31 2014 at 7:36 pm

Speaking of safety and being accountable for actions on the road as a user, our state government are to introduce rego plates on all helmets - motorcycle and cyclist alike.
unversio says:

Mar 31 2014 at 7:37 pm

The Realtree website ---- they have unexpected merchandise too. Me like.
DerHoggz says:

Mar 31 2014 at 7:46 pm

@sthilzy

Speaking of safety and being accountable for actions on the road as a user, our state government are to introduce rego plates on all helmets - motorcycle and cyclist alike.

Do they not know that will ruin the aero?
Ken Ho says:

Mar 31 2014 at 8:03 pm

@sthilzy

That's fucked
Blah says:

Mar 31 2014 at 8:46 pm

@sthilzy

That's a foolish thing to announce, particularly today.
Giles says:

Mar 31 2014 at 9:14 pm

@DerHoggz Surely an April 1st joke?