How much do YOU think you are worth?
#1
shedding fat
Thread Starter
How much do YOU think you are worth?
So, in patentcad style, here we go. So, I am doing my regular 42 mile ride this morning and I noticed 2-3 people out riding during my ride. This is extremely unusual as I start my ride at 3:30AM, and hardly ever see any other riders. I have been finding as many as 3-4 other riders out in the last week though, but they are not the average roadie. They are mostly older guys with older bikes in regular shorts and t-shirts with sneakers trying to hammer out a few miles or simply running away from death. However, the common denominator to all of them is the lack of good lighting equipment. One thing that is very very clear to me is that riding in the dark is 2/3 about being seen and 1/3 about being able to see well in front of you. These guys are out riding with rear lights that are so freaking dim I can barely see them coming behind them on a bike, much less the cars. Then, when I pass them, I see their front light is no brighter and in blinking mode to make it worst!! I understand not everybody can shell out $500-1000 for extremely bright lighting that last for hours on end, but I also realize that an ambulance showing up to a site and not treating you at all (just the showing up fee) is far more than that. Don't even talk about an ER visit. All it takes is a freaking rabbit, a skunk, or simply one of those 1967 Buick size rats with siding they called Armadillos to pop out of nowhere and you are eating asphalt. Let's not even talk about a car hitting you as the only people out at that time are either drunks trying to get home or half sleeping people trying to get to or from work.
Get common sense people. Which one is worth more? The lights or you? Freaking idiots.............
Get common sense people. Which one is worth more? The lights or you? Freaking idiots.............
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Arguing with ignorant people is an exercise in futility. They will bring you down to their level and once there they will beat you with their overwhelming experience.
Arguing with ignorant people is an exercise in futility. They will bring you down to their level and once there they will beat you with their overwhelming experience.
#2
T-Shirt Guy
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I know I'm worth more dead than alive...
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#4
Dwindling Roadie
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+1 ...if only people knew...I'd probably have a wanted poster out for me. "Wanted: Dead...Definitely Dead"
#7
Making a kilometer blurry
I'm worth about $15, if I add up the cost of all my lights.
#8
grilled cheesus
$22.50
later.
later.
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#11
NYC
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Lights? I figure I'm in for several thousand a year in taxes to keep this city lit up bright.
Seriously, as long as I'm back across the GWB before dark, I don't sweat the lights.
Once it starts getting dark earlier, I use a blinkie and LED headlight... um... $40 worth.
Seriously, as long as I'm back across the GWB before dark, I don't sweat the lights.
Once it starts getting dark earlier, I use a blinkie and LED headlight... um... $40 worth.
#13
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I am worth whatever my insruance policy pays out on my death. So approximately $240K...
When I went to the ER, the ambulance was $1,200 + $50/mile. All of the ER charges and subsequent medical costs were another $2,000, give or take a bit.
When I went to the ER, the ambulance was $1,200 + $50/mile. All of the ER charges and subsequent medical costs were another $2,000, give or take a bit.
#14
well hello there
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I don't like riding in the dark without a good lighting system. I've got 200 lumens on my bars, 215 lumens mounted on my helmet and 140 red flashing lumens on my seat post.
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Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
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Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
#15
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You don't have to pay 500-1000 for decent lighting either. I bought a Night Rider Trail Rat II on clearance for $69, plus a universal handlebar adapter for about 30. That's $100 total. And in back I have two bright blinkies for a total of about $40. So for $140 I'm well lit, for 2 hours 20 minutes, which is adequate for me.
It may not be enough for your 3:30am rides, but it's plenty for my 2-hour evening rides.
It may not be enough for your 3:30am rides, but it's plenty for my 2-hour evening rides.
#16
it's easy if you let it.
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https://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.12060 <-- at least 700 lumens for an hour. In other words, easily as bright as a motorcycle light, for less than $50. Not a bad deal.
At the moment, I have none. Still waiting for the various P7s on DX to come back in stock. Then I'll go around blinding people on the way to and from my night class.
At the moment, I have none. Still waiting for the various P7s on DX to come back in stock. Then I'll go around blinding people on the way to and from my night class.
#17
Peloton Shelter Dog
#18
Solo Rider, always DFL
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When I was balking at the cost of HID a little while back, I had a sudden pause and thought "If I were in an ER with a cast on, missing certain pieces of skin I'm fond of, how much would I spend to not have been hit by a car?"
I ended up springing for the extra $, and while it may have never made a difference, I certainly think it was worth it.
I ended up springing for the extra $, and while it may have never made a difference, I certainly think it was worth it.
#19
shedding fat
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by ehidle
I know I'm worth more dead than alive...
The logic displayed by some of you is living proof that common sense is a luxury anymore, not a right. Just like reading comprehension. I guess one should not expect some people here to read and comprehend on top of it
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Arguing with ignorant people is an exercise in futility. They will bring you down to their level and once there they will beat you with their overwhelming experience.
Arguing with ignorant people is an exercise in futility. They will bring you down to their level and once there they will beat you with their overwhelming experience.
#20
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If this is so, why don't you guys go and kill yourselves already. I mean, if you really love your family, which is who I assume will get whatever it is that is left once you are dead, you should have done it a long time ago. I didn't think so:rolle yes::no tamused::rolle yes:
The logic displayed by some of you is living proof that common sense is a luxury anymore, not a right. Just like reading comprehension. I guess one should not expect some people here to read and comprehend on top of it:thu mb::r olleyes:
The logic displayed by some of you is living proof that common sense is a luxury anymore, not a right. Just like reading comprehension. I guess one should not expect some people here to read and comprehend on top of it:thu mb::r olleyes:
#21
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Seriously, I used to be one of those guys that went out without any sort of lighting. After I side-swiped an SUV coming out of a Lowes, and he said he "couldn't see me," I made the investment.
No problems to date.
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#22
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Still haven't heard a good enough reason to be riding at 3:30am...
WTF!?!? You are supposed to be in bed! That's sleepy time!
WTF!?!? You are supposed to be in bed! That's sleepy time!
#23
shedding fat
Thread Starter
I am an adult. I don't need to give reasons.
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Arguing with ignorant people is an exercise in futility. They will bring you down to their level and once there they will beat you with their overwhelming experience.
Arguing with ignorant people is an exercise in futility. They will bring you down to their level and once there they will beat you with their overwhelming experience.
#24
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I think I paid just south of $200 for my JetLites. Plus $20 for a Super Flash blinky. The lighting is actually more expensive than the old Trek 660 I usually have it on, but considerably less than a trip to the ER or morgue. As the OP points out.
Usually, I expect some flak from the Mistress of Finance when I'm ordering bike schwag but there was none on this purchase.
Usually, I expect some flak from the Mistress of Finance when I'm ordering bike schwag but there was none on this purchase.
#25
Are you with me
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Actually, the US EPA recently lowered its value of a human life from $8.04 million to $7.22 million. Some are very upset about this b/c it can potentially impact decisions on spending for environmental programs, eg if a life is worth less, we may not need to spend as much to protect it.
https://www.truthout.org/article/cosm...-is-worth-less
cheers
https://www.truthout.org/article/cosm...-is-worth-less
cheers