[GRRiders] GRR tech-inspection

[Bill Bryant]

Hello GRR riders--
In a couple of weeks we'll all be gathering in Davis for the Gold Rush
Randonnee-- it should be a terrific adventure for all. Moreover, we want
everyone to be as safe as can be, especially when cycling at night. So, here
are some tips to remember before you arrive at the GRR.

I hope no one is flustered before the start at tech inspection. Four years
ago a few unprepared riders were, and then had to scurry around at the last
minute when they should have been relaxing before the start. (BTW, all these
points are in your rider packet.) Riders will need a special sticker from
tech inspection in order to proceed to registration to pick up their route
card, so please come prepared.

As main tech inspector I will be failing bikes whose rear taillights are not
perpendicular to the ground. That is, for best rider safety rear lights need
to be aimed directly back at the motorists' vision, not up at low-flying
airplanes, okay? This alignment will be taken seriously; the sooner the
motorists can see rider far ahead, the safer riders will be. Lamps that
shine into the sky--even a little--are not as visible as those that are
properly mounted. (Attaching a little LED rear light to a Camelbak or helmet
is a good thing to do, but one still needs two rear lamps attached to the
bicycle, per regulations.)

Also, it is very foolish to start the GRR without new batteries in all your
lights. Did you replace your rear lamp batteries after your 600k brevet?

(During the ride, keep your rear lights running on "steady" mode; if you
change to flashing, that indicates to the course officials you need help of
some sort. During the day raising an arm skyward will get their attention.)

Randonneuring rules require that each rider have two ankle bands and a
vest/sash/Sam Browne belt that puts reflective material on the front, back
and sides of the rider's torso. (This assumes a regular bicycle is used;
Recumbent riders can adapt their reflective materials in a different fashion
to achieve this goal-- but the expectation is the same either way.)

Many rider will use a Camelbak-- a good thing considering the summer
temperatures. HOWEVER, please be sure your vest/sash/Sam Browne is clearly
visible from behind when wearing the Camelbak, and not hiked up making you
less visible from behind. Some experienced randonneurs attach a safety
triangle from the bottom of their Camelbak and these show up well from
behind.

Smart riders will consider the reflective gear items just a minimum
expectation; they will put additional reflective stickers on rims, cranks,
the bike frame, helmet, etc. Please note that Illuminite reflective
clothing, while recommended, does not take the place of the required 2 ankle
bands and vest/sash/Sam Browne belt.

For front lights, redundancy is paramount. For the GRR you are required to
have at least two headlamps that are powered independently of the other. You
should have three replacement bulbs for each type of lamp. If you are
running LED front lamps, we'll assume the second lamp is your "spare bulbs";
same goes for rear LED lamps.

Be sure your lamp brackets are sound; lighting failures don't always come
from the lamp itself. I will be grabbing lamps and giving them a good shake,
so be sure they are mounted securely. (Bumpy Cranmore Rd about two hours
into the ride will be the real test.)

If you are running headlamps powered only by batteries, you will be asked to
show spare batteries at tech inspection too. Also remember that GRR course
monitors will be stopping any rider late in the event who should have
replaced lamp batteries along the way. For headlamps, growing dim is usually
not a surprise since the rider cannot see well at night, but remember that
some rear lamps won't go the entire distance on the same set of batteries
too. Please come prepared with on-board spares or use your drop bags
intelligently. In any event, failure to comply with lighting regulations
throughout the entire event--not just at tech inspection, or during the long
first night--can result in a DQ. Law enforcement will be out on the route
and we don't want the event imperiled by foolish riders who should have
replaced their batteries sooner.

I hope that helps; if you have questions, please consult the ride rules but
feel free to write back if I can provide more information too.

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone between 9 AM and 3 PM on Tuesday,
July 19th. Please come to tech inspection wearing your helmet, reflective
vest and ankle bands, and be ready to run all your lights.

Bonne Route!

Bill Bryant
The GRR-ouchy Tech Inspector