[GRRiders] GRR tech-inspection

Wed Jul 6 20:59:21 PDT 2005

Hi Dave--
Your system sounds good to me. Be sure you have spare incandescent bulbs for
your generator system. For your front LED, I would let that pass w/o a
back-up since you are carrying the spare incandescent bulbs for your main
system. (The LED systems are pretty good about not burning out bulbs; I've
seen more failures of circuitry than bulb failure. Rain water leakage seems
a problem for some LED lamps, IMHO.) It is a good thing that your LED has
1000 candlepower; even though there will be a near full moon, if you should
need to use it as your primary headlamp, that extra brightness will be an
asset if there are potholes on the road.

About the rear LED lamps, you aren't required by the regs to run both at
once-- but having done a LOT of sag support for brevets, I hope you will.
~Common sense~ might require you to run both.  ;-)
Two rear lamps really do show up better than one. Now, this is based on most
randonneurs using smaller LED rear lamps, often with three LEDs and powered
by AAA batteries. If you are running one of those rectangular Vista lights
with 5 LEDs and AA batteries, those suckers are bright! So, it's a judgment
call on your part. But for the mere price of some alkaline batteries, riders
are safer with two lights running than one. Seems a false economy to try to
scrimp on that small amount of $$.

All in all, I think your system sounds good Dave.

Cheers,
Bill

> Hi Bill, thank you for the information about the tech-inspection.  I agree
> that it would be a real bummer to have to scramble around at the last minute
> before the ride.
> 
> I have a couple of question in regard to lights and my particular setup. I
> was wondering about this after reviewing the rider packet but you gave me an
> excuse to ask the questions.  You state:
> 
> "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."
> 
> For my setup, I use a generator/bulb system for my primary headlights and an
> LED light (1000 candlepower) as my backup headlight.  Because I cannot
> change the bulb in the backup light, do I need a backup light for my backup
> light?  If so does the backup light need to be 1000 candlepower or can it be
> a little less powerful and therefore lighter?
> 
> Also, will we be required to have both of our taillights on while riding do
> we only need to have one on?
> 
> Thank you, Dave Read
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: goldrushriders-bounces at dbclist.org
> [mailto:goldrushriders-bounces at dbclist.org] On Behalf Of Bill Bryant
> Sent: Wednesday, July 06, 2005 11:14 AM
> To: Gold Rush
> Subject: [GRRiders] GRR tech-inspection
> 
> 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
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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