Comments on: Cycling in Style #ghcc http://blog.cascade.org/2011/05/cycling-in-style-ghcc/ Creating a better community through bicycling, throughout Seattle, King County and Washington state. Thu, 23 May 2013 03:08:41 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: M.J. Kelly http://blog.cascade.org/2011/05/cycling-in-style-ghcc/comment-page-1/#comment-21235 M.J. Kelly Tue, 31 May 2011 17:33:17 +0000 http://blog.cascade.org/?p=6140#comment-21235 I'm inspired: http://momentumplanet.com/events/momentum-mag-best-dressed-photo-booth I’m inspired: http://momentumplanet.com/events/momentum-mag-best-dressed-photo-booth

]]> By: Gary http://blog.cascade.org/2011/05/cycling-in-style-ghcc/comment-page-1/#comment-20935 Gary Thu, 26 May 2011 22:26:11 +0000 http://blog.cascade.org/?p=6140#comment-20935 Re: Portland jacket, REI has an alternative that also might work. No pit zips but way less money. http://www.rei.com/product/808373/rei-madrona-jacket-womens Re: Portland jacket,
REI has an alternative that also might work. No pit zips but way less money.

http://www.rei.com/product/808373/rei-madrona-jacket-womens

]]> By: M.J. Kelly http://blog.cascade.org/2011/05/cycling-in-style-ghcc/comment-page-1/#comment-20921 M.J. Kelly Thu, 26 May 2011 20:49:36 +0000 http://blog.cascade.org/?p=6140#comment-20921 @Rita: That's style maven Audrey Hepburn in the photo. And that's her quote as well, save the last line, which is what I imagine --with hope!-- she might say today while sporting a fashionable helmet to match her personal style. I don't wear specialty clothing either, lately preferring to ride in my street clothes. Many of my colleagues wear the Showers Pass Portland Jacket, which is made for biking, has reflective material AND looks sneakingly similar to the jacket Audrey is wearing: http://www.showerspass.com/catalog/women/womens-jackets/womens-portland-jacket By the way, we were on KING5 yesterday talking about safety and style: http://www.king5.com/video/featured-videos/Bike-safety-tips--122586279.html @Rita: That’s style maven Audrey Hepburn in the photo. And that’s her quote as well, save the last line, which is what I imagine –with hope!– she might say today while sporting a fashionable helmet to match her personal style.

I don’t wear specialty clothing either, lately preferring to ride in my street clothes. Many of my colleagues wear the Showers Pass Portland Jacket, which is made for biking, has reflective material AND looks sneakingly similar to the jacket Audrey is wearing: http://www.showerspass.com/catalog/women/womens-jackets/womens-portland-jacket

By the way, we were on KING5 yesterday talking about safety and style: http://www.king5.com/video/featured-videos/Bike-safety-tips–122586279.html

]]> By: Gary http://blog.cascade.org/2011/05/cycling-in-style-ghcc/comment-page-1/#comment-20880 Gary Thu, 26 May 2011 16:37:57 +0000 http://blog.cascade.org/?p=6140#comment-20880 One more note on lights. That Dinotte red rear light is like $200, and I often wondered if I had bought 4 planet Blinky's would it be the same, have better reliability etc. And then one day I was riding across Mercer Island and I spotted a guy with just that rig! And it sucked. He had 2 on his helmet, on on the fender, one under the seat. You could see him in the shadows but once he hit regular light, all the lights were invisible. On customer service, I had my dinotte rear switch fail. I called them, they said, open it up test it and call us back, maybe it has some dirt in it. I did that, it wasn't dirt it still didn't work. I sent it to them via USPS on Monday and on Friday I got a fully functioning light back. No charge. Vs NiteRider, I owned the smart battery 15W halogen front light, I paid for two $30 service charges for first the charger, and then the battery failure. The customer service on the phone was terrible and the turn around time was a month each time. I'll never buy another light from them again. Reflective tape does help. But that vest, it's the thing drivers see. On Wet Wool I have hung a piece of PVC pipe in my cube in the corner (diagonally) using a couple of bent coat hangers to hook the pipe and the cube wall. I've got 4 regular coat hangers and I just hang it all there and it dries out during the day. I do have the showers Pass cycle rain jacket and pvc coated pants for real rain though. It mostly keeps the warm water close. One more note on lights.

That Dinotte red rear light is like $200, and I often wondered if I had bought 4 planet Blinky’s would it be the same, have better reliability etc. And then one day I was riding across Mercer Island and I spotted a guy with just that rig! And it sucked. He had 2 on his helmet, on on the fender, one under the seat. You could see him in the shadows but once he hit regular light, all the lights were invisible.

On customer service, I had my dinotte rear switch fail. I called them, they said, open it up test it and call us back, maybe it has some dirt in it. I did that, it wasn’t dirt it still didn’t work. I sent it to them via USPS on Monday and on Friday I got a fully functioning light back. No charge.

Vs NiteRider, I owned the smart battery 15W halogen front light, I paid for two $30 service charges for first the charger, and then the battery failure. The customer service on the phone was terrible and the turn around time was a month each time. I’ll never buy another light from them again.

Reflective tape does help. But that vest, it’s the thing drivers see.

On Wet Wool
I have hung a piece of PVC pipe in my cube in the corner (diagonally) using a couple of bent coat hangers to hook the pipe and the cube wall. I’ve got 4 regular coat hangers and I just hang it all there and it dries out during the day.

I do have the showers Pass cycle rain jacket and pvc coated pants for real rain though. It mostly keeps the warm water close.

]]> By: Charlie Pieterick http://blog.cascade.org/2011/05/cycling-in-style-ghcc/comment-page-1/#comment-20874 Charlie Pieterick Thu, 26 May 2011 15:50:23 +0000 http://blog.cascade.org/?p=6140#comment-20874 I have a long rural/urban commute from Vashon Island via Fauntleroy. As much as I like wool, it will NOT dry out during a work day when soaked. I prefer the synthetics. My work place has a spin dryer in the locker room. If I rinse and spin out my clothing at the start of the day, it is dry and ready to go by the time I go home (I also installed a pull out rack under my desk). Shoe covers are a must as that is the body part most exposed to water. They can also be spun dry. I know of some cyclists who keep a shoe dryer at work. I agree with the above comments about lights. I just looked up Dinotte and they are very sexy... and pricey. I have a 300 lumen (I think) Cygolite Li-Ion Dual Cross (~ $180) on the front which is adequate for speeding downhill on steep unlit rural roads at night. 400 lumen would be better. My light has a rapid strobe pattern that gets me through the urban portion during winter. Drivers see me! Reflective clothing, as well as reflective tape on fenders, forks, and seat stays likely help. The Planet Bike blinky's are pretty good for the money. I have a long rural/urban commute from Vashon Island via Fauntleroy. As much as I like wool, it will NOT dry out during a work day when soaked. I prefer the synthetics. My work place has a spin dryer in the locker room. If I rinse and spin out my clothing at the start of the day, it is dry and ready to go by the time I go home (I also installed a pull out rack under my desk). Shoe covers are a must as that is the body part most exposed to water. They can also be spun dry. I know of some cyclists who keep a shoe dryer at work.

I agree with the above comments about lights. I just looked up Dinotte and they are very sexy… and pricey. I have a 300 lumen (I think) Cygolite Li-Ion Dual Cross (~ $180) on the front which is adequate for speeding downhill on steep unlit rural roads at night. 400 lumen would be better. My light has a rapid strobe pattern that gets me through the urban portion during winter. Drivers see me! Reflective clothing, as well as reflective tape on fenders, forks, and seat stays likely help. The Planet Bike blinky’s are pretty good for the money.

]]> By: Noel Howes http://blog.cascade.org/2011/05/cycling-in-style-ghcc/comment-page-1/#comment-20873 Noel Howes Thu, 26 May 2011 15:44:53 +0000 http://blog.cascade.org/?p=6140#comment-20873 I did wear my wool work pants at one point but a fall on black ice that ripped them over the pocket with my work keys. A bit expensive! I now have some dedicated knickers and summer shorts that layer over regular bike shorts or the "diaper undies" that are sold for bikers depending on the temperature. Bike sandals are now my preferred year round footwear and because of the velcro straps they can be layered too - the beauty is that, unlike shoes, they are dry by the end of the day and an extra pair of socks solves any super soaking. Regular sandals would be good but when I am riding fixed I prefer the more solid connection to the pedal. I think I have worn Hawaiian and seersucker shirts only a few times but I could imagine this as a daily thing in AZ or TX. Ditto as above on helmets! Why to they sell black helmets, anyone? Also, I usually have doubles on my lights, front and rear, esp. for winter riding. If I forget to check batteries, I have a grace period. I did wear my wool work pants at one point but a fall on black ice that ripped them over the pocket with my work keys. A bit expensive! I now have some dedicated knickers and summer shorts that layer over regular bike shorts or the “diaper undies” that are sold for bikers depending on the temperature. Bike sandals are now my preferred year round footwear and because of the velcro straps they can be layered too – the beauty is that, unlike shoes, they are dry by the end of the day and an extra pair of socks solves any super soaking. Regular sandals would be good but when I am riding fixed I prefer the more solid connection to the pedal. I think I have worn Hawaiian and seersucker shirts only a few times but I could imagine this as a daily thing in AZ or TX.

Ditto as above on helmets! Why to they sell black helmets, anyone?

Also, I usually have doubles on my lights, front and rear, esp. for winter riding. If I forget to check batteries, I have a grace period.

]]> By: George Harvey http://blog.cascade.org/2011/05/cycling-in-style-ghcc/comment-page-1/#comment-20871 George Harvey Thu, 26 May 2011 14:53:40 +0000 http://blog.cascade.org/?p=6140#comment-20871 I used to be a "serious cyclist" and did the STP every year. Back then I didn't commute, so my clothing was all cycling jerseys and lycra and clipless pedals. 3 years ago my job moved and I began cycling to work, about 10 miles round trip. I replaced my clipless pedals with standard pedals and now I just wear my dockers and sports shirts and a reflective vest, and carry goretex pants and a cycling jacket in a good pannier. I sweat when I ride uphills, but it's not too bad and I don't have to shower when I get to work. (Maybe since I'm an IT guy people expect me to smell a little anyway.) Wearing normal work clothing and normal shoes makes cycling more of a normal activity to me. I agree with the cyclists above about being visible. As a cyclists we can see much better than drivers, and it's easy to think that we're visible to them when we're not. I drove my bike commute one day and it was disturbing how poorly I saw the cyclists that I'd normally see so well when I was riding. Wear something BRIGHT and have a good front and rear light and you'll be a lot safer. If you commute during the darker months or times, invest in better lights like Dinotte or Niterider or something with over 100 lumens. I used to be a “serious cyclist” and did the STP every year. Back then I didn’t commute, so my clothing was all cycling jerseys and lycra and clipless pedals. 3 years ago my job moved and I began cycling to work, about 10 miles round trip. I replaced my clipless pedals with standard pedals and now I just wear my dockers and sports shirts and a reflective vest, and carry goretex pants and a cycling jacket in a good pannier. I sweat when I ride uphills, but it’s not too bad and I don’t have to shower when I get to work. (Maybe since I’m an IT guy people expect me to smell a little anyway.) Wearing normal work clothing and normal shoes makes cycling more of a normal activity to me.

I agree with the cyclists above about being visible. As a cyclists we can see much better than drivers, and it’s easy to think that we’re visible to them when we’re not. I drove my bike commute one day and it was disturbing how poorly I saw the cyclists that I’d normally see so well when I was riding. Wear something BRIGHT and have a good front and rear light and you’ll be a lot safer. If you commute during the darker months or times, invest in better lights like Dinotte or Niterider or something with over 100 lumens.

]]> By: Rita Belserene http://blog.cascade.org/2011/05/cycling-in-style-ghcc/comment-page-1/#comment-20836 Rita Belserene Thu, 26 May 2011 03:24:39 +0000 http://blog.cascade.org/?p=6140#comment-20836 I notice right away that the comfortable, cool-looking woman in the photo wasn't wearing a helmet. How weird is it to use this image with a caption that includes "And for a beautiful brain, fasten your helmet"? I don't wear much in the way of special gear, but I do wear a yellow jacket and a helmet -- both for safety. By the time those are on, I'm afraid I don't look much like the lady in the photo. I notice right away that the comfortable, cool-looking woman in the photo wasn’t wearing a helmet. How weird is it to use this image with a caption that includes “And for a beautiful brain, fasten your helmet”? I don’t wear much in the way of special gear, but I do wear a yellow jacket and a helmet — both for safety. By the time those are on, I’m afraid I don’t look much like the lady in the photo.

]]> By: Gary http://blog.cascade.org/2011/05/cycling-in-style-ghcc/comment-page-1/#comment-20802 Gary Wed, 25 May 2011 17:24:51 +0000 http://blog.cascade.org/?p=6140#comment-20802 If you ride on city streets, I don't care if you wear wool, lycra or a cotton Tshirt, you need something that is majorly reflective. You want to know what screams stupid? that's dead. So get a type III construction worker reflective vest and wear it on top of that hipster cool wool outfit. So what if it says you are a cyclists, that is the point. DON'T HIT ME! It screams.. As for lights, those Planet Blinky's are ok if it's really dark, but for real retina burning get Dinotte lights. You can be seen over a mile away even in the daylight. (tested on the I-90 bridge where I could see someone 1.5 miles away at the other end of the bridge as I was getting on it.) http://www.dinottelighting.com/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPzmzBu9Y0o For wool, go www.ibex.com or www.vintagevelos.com If you ride on city streets, I don’t care if you wear wool, lycra or a cotton Tshirt, you need something that is majorly reflective. You want to know what screams stupid? that’s dead. So get a type III construction worker reflective vest and wear it on top of that hipster cool wool outfit. So what if it says you are a cyclists, that is the point. DON’T HIT ME! It screams..

As for lights, those Planet Blinky’s are ok if it’s really dark, but for real retina burning get Dinotte lights. You can be seen over a mile away even in the daylight. (tested on the I-90 bridge where I could see someone 1.5 miles away at the other end of the bridge as I was getting on it.)

http://www.dinottelighting.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPzmzBu9Y0o

For wool, go
http://www.ibex.com
or
http://www.vintagevelos.com

]]> By: RickG http://blog.cascade.org/2011/05/cycling-in-style-ghcc/comment-page-1/#comment-20766 RickG Tue, 24 May 2011 23:53:18 +0000 http://blog.cascade.org/?p=6140#comment-20766 If my commute ever reduces to 3-4 miles of nearly level country lane, I'll go for the tweedy look. Yeah, it's only 7 miles one way right now, but that runs from 30+ mph downhills to 7 mph slogs uphill to the next light. Lycra works for me, and I just change into street clothes when I get to work. And although I run bright flashers day or night, I figure a bright jersey or jacket can't hurt. In winter, the Headwind pants I wear are obviously "bike specific," but a little less extreme than the lycra shorts. Not too out-of-place at a casual destination. Biek shorts do look odd on someone whose out of sight of their bike. One of these days I may find time to look for nice bike wool-wear that doesn't cost an arm and a leg, but for now, I guess I'm stuck with lycra and poly-knit. If my commute ever reduces to 3-4 miles of nearly level country lane, I’ll go for the tweedy look. Yeah, it’s only 7 miles one way right now, but that runs from 30+ mph downhills to 7 mph slogs uphill to the next light. Lycra works for me, and I just change into street clothes when I get to work. And although I run bright flashers day or night, I figure a bright jersey or jacket can’t hurt. In winter, the Headwind pants I wear are obviously “bike specific,” but a little less extreme than the lycra shorts. Not too out-of-place at a casual destination. Biek shorts do look odd on someone whose out of sight of their bike. One of these days I may find time to look for nice bike wool-wear that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, but for now, I guess I’m stuck with lycra and poly-knit.

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