Cyclist Survival Conspicuity Slide Show

[jack holmgren]

Dear Fellow San Francisco Randonneurs,

 

Most of you missed a great evening of discussion about cycling lighting and cyclist conspicuity this Sunday.  We were honored by the presence of Robert Choi, the inventor of the LED tail light.  Robert has collaborated in other notable inventions such as his latest, the long-distance oriented Volagi bicycle.  But his contribution to rider safety based only on the LED tail light means that he is without equal in terms of individual contribution to cyclist safety in my opinion.

 

Craig Robertson gave an informative show and tell tracing the evolution of lighting from his four Paris-Brest-Paris rides!  Jim Gougoutis (JimG) presented a power point show on his excellent work building lights many of which equaled or surpassed commercial offerings.

 

Attached is a little power point I delivered.  Hopefully it will be of modest assistance to you as opportunities to improve your cycling conspicuity present themselves.

 

Speaking of which, I am in the process of sewing 4 inch wide strips of the shiny retroreflective material you will see pictured in this slide show onto the bottom of the back of San Francisco Randonneurs L2s conspicuity vests.  So far I've done about 10 of these and folks who see this seem to think it is a good idea.  The positioning of the flap or "Moonbeam" as I call it is such that it is close to vertical.  At that position, it does a very good job of reflecting vehicle headlights.

 

This service is free.  Some might say you get what you pay for as my sewing is not so good, but it works.  I will be collecting L2s vests at the end of the SFR 300 in a few weeks to modify with the Moonbeam.  If you would like me to do so to yours give it to me at the end.  We can negotiate how to get it back to you.

 

While this is free I am not above accepting donations to the "Moonbeam Fund."  I will be ordering a bunch of this stuff, probably in Orange as it contrasts with the predominent yellow color and, according to some studies that I've read, that is the best for conspicuity.  If I buy 50 feet it costs $76.99 but if contributions rise to the level of $130 I can score 150 feet.  Each Moonbeam takes around 2 feet so that's the difference between 25 units versus 75 units.  If I have money left over I will buy Rivendell ankle bands and give them away to underprivelged randos.

 

http://www.reflective-stripes.com/product.sc?productId=7&categoryId=6

 

I hereby appoint myself Conspicuity Czar of the San Francisco Randonneurs and issue this challenge:

 

At the talk on Sunday, Robert Choi endorsed the idea that we invent an arrangement such that we put tail lights on our shoes or ankles.  Please do so and I will award the following prizes:

 

1st Place - 1 months coaching from me

 

2nd Place - 2 months coaching from me

 

3rd Place - 3 months coaching from me

 

Thank you,

 

Jack 

 

 

[Bubba]

Nice presentation.  I wish I could have made it.  That reminds me of the WC Fields line:  First prize is a week in Philadelphia.  Second prize is two weeks in Philadelphia.  

[Jim G]

jack holmgren wrote:
>
> At the talk on Sunday, Robert Choi endorsed the idea that we invent an
> arrangement such that we put tail lights on our shoes or ankles.  Please do so
> and I will award the following prizes:
>

These already exist, e.g.:

http://www.amazon.com/Nitezone-Ankle-Reflective-armband-Safety/dp/tags-on-product/B0014S3CRA

http://www.amphipod.com/products/visibility/ledslighted-bands

http://www.rei.com/product/808637/amphipod-stretch-bright-ankle/wrist-band-with-led?preferredSku=8086370015?cm_mmc&mr:trackingCode=28569C1C-F6CB-DF11-98FF-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA

http://www.ems.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3660978&emssrcid=GoogleBase:PS3660978

http://www.runjunk.com/nathan-led-arm-and-ankle-band.aspx

-Jim G

[jack holmgren]

Excellent compilation work Jim G.  While none of these is of your own devise, I'm going to slot you into the leader spot so far.

These are good and would make any rando proud.   But I think what Robert and I were thinking about was another order of magnitude brighter than the offerings you've conveniently located for us in one place.  Think Planet Bike Turbo Flash level.  Perhaps someone will combine what you've found with a light that shines brighter?

The level of participation in this contest, doubtless spurred on by the prizes, has been overwhelming.  Counting Jim G's entry I've received two entries already!  The other one suggested utilizing body piercing with LED lights attached.  They're in second place.

---

From: Jim G <yoj...@gmail.com>
To: San Francisco Randonneurs <sfra...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Tue, February 28, 2012 3:59:24 PM
Subject: [SFRandon] Re: Cyclist Survival Conspicuity Slide Show

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[Bubba]

I've consulted with my local tattoo artist.  We're exploring the possibility of incorporating retroreflective tattoo ink in conjunction with bioluminescent tattoo ink.  I think I could be rando of the year if I sported reflective skin on the high-ankle/low calf.  

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[Kimber]

Lol, Bubba, 

If you come up with (and get inked with) a set of reflective/glowing tattoos, I'll be first in line to cast my vote for you as Randonneur of the Year. Just don't expect me to follow your example! =-O

Kimber


 Sent from my Samsung Epic™ 4G Touch

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[Old5ten]

On Tue, Feb 28, 2012 at 6:16 PM, jack holmgren <jackho...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

Excellent compilation work Jim G.  While none of these is of your own devise, I'm going to slot you into the leader spot so far.

These are good and would make any rando proud.   But I think what Robert and I were thinking about was another order of magnitude brighter than the offerings you've conveniently located for us in one place.  Think Planet Bike Turbo Flash level.  Perhaps someone will combine what you've found with a light that shines brighter?

seems like it would be pretty easy to attach the planet bike turbo to a reflective ankle bracelet...

elmar

[jackho...@sbcglobal.net]

Third place so far!


Sent from my Samsung smartphone on AT&T

-------- Original message -------- Subject: Re: [SFRandon] Re: Cyclist Survival Conspicuity Slide Show From: Bubba To: sfra...@googlegroups.com CC: yoj...@gmail.com

I've consulted with my local tattoo artist.  We're exploring the possibility of incorporating retroreflective tattoo ink in conjunction with bioluminescent tattoo ink.  I think I could be rando of the year if I sported reflective skin on the high-ankle/low calf.  

On Tuesday, February 28, 2012 6:16:23 PM UTC-8, Jack Holmgren wrote:

Excellent compilation work Jim G.  While none of these is of your own devise, I'm going to slot you into the leader spot so far.

These are good and would make any rando proud.   But I think what Robert and I were thinking about was another order of magnitude brighter than the offerings you've conveniently located for us in one place.  Think Planet Bike Turbo Flash level.  Perhaps someone will combine what you've found with a light that shines brighter?

The level of participation in this contest, doubtless spurred on by the prizes, has been overwhelming.  Counting Jim G's entry I've received two entries already!  The other one suggested utilizing body piercing with LED lights attached.  They're in second place.

---

From: Jim G <yoj...@gmail.com>
To: San Francisco Randonneurs <sfra...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Tue, February 28, 2012 3:59:24 PM
Subject: [SFRandon] Re: Cyclist Survival Conspicuity Slide Show

jack holmgren wrote:
>
> At the talk on Sunday, Robert Choi endorsed the idea that we invent an
> arrangement such that we put tail lights on our shoes or ankles.  Please do so
> and I will award the following prizes:
>


These already exist, e.g.:

http://www.amazon.com/Nitezone-Ankle-Reflective-armband-Safety/dp/tags-on-product/B0014S3CRA

http://www.amphipod.com/products/visibility/ledslighted-bands

http://www.rei.com/product/808637/amphipod-stretch-bright-ankle/wrist-band-with-led?preferredSku=8086370015?cm_mmc&mr:trackingCode=28569C1C-F6CB-DF11-98FF-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA

http://www.ems.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3660978&emssrcid=GoogleBase:PS3660978

http://www.runjunk.com/nathan-led-arm-and-ankle-band.aspx

-Jim G


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On Tuesday, February 28, 2012 6:16:23 PM UTC-8, Jack Holmgren wrote:

Excellent compilation work Jim G.  While none of these is of your own devise, I'm going to slot you into the leader spot so far.

These are good and would make any rando proud.   But I think what Robert and I were thinking about was another order of magnitude brighter than the offerings you've conveniently located for us in one place.  Think Planet Bike Turbo Flash level.  Perhaps someone will combine what you've found with a light that shines brighter?

[Bubba]

That means I just need to be knocked down a couple more spots and I'll end up with lifetime coaching from Jack!

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