Staying visible!

@farrell,

The jacket that you see there is the very first piece I've done. My ultimate goal would be to create clothing for a cyclist for both sport and commuting uses. Could you please expand upon what you're visualizing? Are you saying you'd like to see a similar reflective application on pants or some type of pant shell that you could throw on over your existing shorts/trousers that has a similar effect?

Brett

@Cycle_Jim,

The pattern has evolved and the final resting place for that design ended up looking similar to golf tees. This absolutely works for jerseys as well and is something that I will look into doing once I get things up and running. Thanks for your feedback Jim!

Brett

Cycle_Jim wrote:

Good call on the light Stumpy, great value bit of kit there!
@Dave, thanks for the science! I now know my new fluro top (which doesn't actually look all too geeky) should only be used in daytime!

Thanks, they get delivered from China so it takes a while but the light they give off is fab. In all honesty you do have to be careful with the full beam on cos it is ridiculously bright.

deadhead1971 wrote:

I commute to work with a little rucksack, with one of those hi-viz HUMP covers on it. I recently also got a hi viz altura night vision jacket. Don't think it really makes much difference in bright daylight (women driver still try to kill me on roundabouts, going on recent experience) but when it's dark enough to need lights, the extra hi viz gear makes cars give you a bit more room.

*dons nerd hat*

hi-viz clothes don't work after dark. fluorescent fabrics work by reacting to ultraviolet rays, not visible light. There's no UV in car headlights.

After dark you need reflectives, not hi-viz. plenty of that on humps and altura night vision though.

Cycle_Jim wrote:

Got to be said, I have no idea! Could try halfords maybe or failing that B&Q? builders style. Just out of interest what are the other required kit

This is just the 'cycle' part of the kit list...overshoes? In July?

Cycle helmet - Compulsory
Cycling shoes / trainers - Make sure you train in them and they are comfortable. Stiff sole recommended for increased power transfer between foot and pedal
Cycling socks (2 or 3 pairs) - No need for a clean pair per day but enough to have dry socks each morning
Cycling gloves (fingerless) - Essential for comfort and grip – gel padding reduces road vibration; thin full- fingered gloves may be useful on cold mornings
Padded cycling shorts x 2 - Lycra with chamois insert better than ‘baggies’ for full days on the bike
Cycling leggings - For cooler days or to put on over shorts at lunch-stops
Cycling tops / T-shirts x 2 - Traditional cycling jerseys have useful pockets at the back and usually wick moisture well; tops made from cotton absorb sweat - not recommended
Wicking base layer - Recommended if cycling tops do not wick moisture well enough
Thermal jacket / warm top - For cooler days / lunch-stops
Waterproof windproof jacket - Good quality (eg gore-tex) essential; material should be highly breathable and have good wind resistance to prevent cold air reaching your chest
Hat / cap - For sun protection off bike
Sunglasses - Must fit well so stay in position when looking down; wraparound style useful
Overshoes - Optional – keep feet warm and dry in wet conditions
Hi-viz vest compulsory! - With BS EN471 class 2 standard label to wear in bad weather conditions

cojones wrote:

I am doing the London - Paris this year and one compulsory piece of kit is as follows...

Hi-viz vest compulsory!
With BS EN471 class 2 standard label to wear in bad weather conditions

Now I have two questions...where the heck do I buy one and why would the French be interested in a BS item?!!

You should be able to pick one up at a local builders merchants/protective clothing store. It's probably not so much the French interest in a bs# but the fact that Discovery operate out of the UK and this is our equivilant to the Euro version and therefore easier to get the hold of. Incidentally, I'm doing the same route but the other way.
Edit - just found out that the EN is the international reference, the BS refers to the UK

Also rail workers have always worn orange (since 1964) and are not migrating from yellow

cojones wrote:

I am doing the London - Paris this year and one compulsory piece of kit is as follows...

Hi-viz vest compulsory!
With BS EN471 class 2 standard label to wear in bad weather conditions

Now I have two questions...where the heck do I buy one and why would the French be interested in a BS item?!!

It's a BS item alright, but maybe not quite in the way you were thinking! I'd have a major issue with mandatory hi-vis. Perhaps they have arranged for you only to share the road with yellow cars.

notfastenough wrote:

cojones wrote:

I am doing the London - Paris this year and one compulsory piece of kit is as follows...

Hi-viz vest compulsory!
With BS EN471 class 2 standard label to wear in bad weather conditions

Now I have two questions...where the heck do I buy one and why would the French be interested in a BS item?!!

It's a BS item alright, but maybe not quite in the way you were thinking! I'd have a major issue with mandatory hi-vis. Perhaps they have arranged for you only to share the road with yellow cars.

Whether we like it or not it is part of the Highway Code in France. Here is an excerpt including the HiViz thing. I'm having to get the hold of a vest myself. Don't really wish to get in an argument with a gendarme.

Highway code for cyclists in France.

NB. The lines below are given solely for information, and are valid at the time of writing. They do not constitute an exhaustive list of all laws and rules governing riding a bicycle in France, and may in time be changed..
To be roadworthy, bicycles must be equipped with a bell, fully functioning brakes, and after dark with reflectors and front and rear lights.
The wearing of cyclists' crash helmets is not compulsory in France, but is strongly advised. Cyclists must also wear a high-visibility waistcoat if cycling after dark outside urban areas.
In urban streets, cyclists must use the marked cycle lanes where these exist.
Cyclists must obey traffic signs and signals in the same way as other road users; this includes respecting "no entry", "one way" and "stop" signs.
Like cars, cyclists riding behind each other on a roadway are obliged to keep a safe distance between them. Cyclists may ride two-abreast, but only during hours of daylight. At night, single file cycling is obligatory.
Drinking and cycling: cyclists are subject to the same alcohol limits as other road users. Cycling while under the influence of alcohol can lead to a hefty fine, the impounding of the cycle, and/or the withdrawal of the cyclist's vehicle licence if he/she has one.