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Your shadow points at danger...
I'm a little late with this, but today is the equinox and for those of us where most roads were laid out E/W/N/S we've got the sun lined up directly along the road at dawn and dusk.
At low light angles, anything your shadow is pointing at can't see you. Be careful out there! |
Good advice. I have always tried to avoid riding when the sun is low on the horizon. I know how difficult it can be to see what's ahead of you while driving. Even flashing tail lights are sometimes difficult to pick out.
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That's why I ride at night wearing all black clothes riding an all black bike with no lights. If they can't see you, they can't hit you! :)
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Originally Posted by flangehead
(Post 22656068)
At low light angles, anything your shadow is pointing at can't see you. |
Originally Posted by Paul Barnard
(Post 22656832)
Incorrect.
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This is how I take my prey, coming out of the sun like the Red Baron
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Originally Posted by Paul Barnard
(Post 22656832)
Incorrect.
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Originally Posted by holytrousers
(Post 22656930)
They are blinded by the sun behind the shadow, so they don't see you. Why do you say it's incorrect ?
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Originally Posted by Paul Barnard
(Post 22656832)
Incorrect.
Originally Posted by Paul Barnard
(Post 22657116)
Because it is incorrect. If they are blinded by the sun, why aren't there multiple crashes on every road that faces a sunrise or sunset. Motorists wouldn't be able to see any other road users or any traffic signs if they were blinded by the sun, right?
People *MAY* have trouble seeing. Be careful out there.
Originally Posted by mr_bill
(Post 19936862)
Speaking of bad driving, this was yesterday in the Minuteman National Park. Since so many of us ride these roads with low sun, just a reminder.
With the gap in oncoming traffic, and the long shadows pointing RIGHT at the driver in the truck, I knew he may not see me. (I had my lights on too!) Oh, my lane position? The lane. It's gonna be a bright bright Sun-shiney day! -mr. bill
Originally Posted by mr_bill
(Post 19946586)
Since in North America this is the time of year where sun is most troublesome for people on bikes, I want to expand a bit.
Going into the direction of the sun is only ONE of the problems, where not only are YOU having trouble seeing, but people behind you are also having trouble seeing. But anytime *you* have a long shadow, your long shadow POINTS to people who may not see you. So if your long shadow is pointing to 12 o'clock, oncoming people may not see you. Left crosses and pull outs are more likely with your back to the sun. Similarly, if you are crossing an intersection and your long shadow points at either 9 o'clock or 3 o'clock, people in that direction may not see you. AND, if you can see long shadows pointing AT you, even if you can't see the sun be aware that you may not see something in that long shadow. -mr. bill -mr. bill |
A good and timely reminder------ But
Not only at the equinox, since not all roads are oriented to the compass. ANYTIME the sun is low, visibility is problematic it it's direction. Though I'm generally less concerned about oncoming traffic, except where it might turn left, I'm extremely cautions when I'm facing the sun. My rule is simple, if I'm "sun-blinded" so is everyone behind me. Note: shadow is less helpful here, even very long shadows with low sun because the shadow that would be most informative is out of sight directly behind me. |
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It felt a bit scary as the big shadow was about to engulf my shadow. But not to worry. He followed at a safe distance and once the next lane was clear he safely passed.
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You're like the groundhog, except that in your case seeing your shadow is a good thing. It means the sun is behind you, and also behind everyone behind you. Of course, there are no guaranties, but this driver would not be able to blame the sun if he hit you.
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Personally, I always have the attitude that others, especially drivers of vehicles, have issues with their vision, whatever the reason, which affects their ability to see me. I mostly wear bright colored clothing and use lights when riding a bike. I do not assume, or trust, that others are going to see me, regardless of the circumstances and environment. There are no guarantees, but caution and self preservation are of utmost importance. That includes making one's presence known to others, and awareness of what is going on nearby.
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Originally Posted by delbiker1
(Post 22667534)
Personally, I always have the attitude that others, especially drivers of vehicles, have issues with their vision, whatever the reason, which affects their ability to see me. I mostly wear bright colored clothing and use lights when riding a bike. I do not assume, or trust, that others are going to see me, regardless of the circumstances and environment. There are no guarantees, but caution and self preservation are of utmost importance. That includes making one's presence known to others, and awareness of what is going on nearby.
OTOH - when you're riding directly into a low sun, you're just about invisible even if you have Las Vegas style lighting. |
Originally Posted by FBinNY
(Post 22667501)
You're like the groundhog, except that in your case seeing your shadow is a good thing. It means the sun is behind you, and also behind everyone behind you. Of course, there are no guaranties, but this driver would not be able to blame the sun if he hit you.
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