High Vis, it's more then just neon
Here I am sporting a vest with reflector strips to increase visibility before I head out on the roads.
IRONBULL is all about lifestyle. So I’ve tried to hit on racing, outdoors, gardening, and healthy eating; however, one topic I haven’t hit yet is safety. Coming from over a decade in industry, safety is paramount so we can come home to our loved ones. During my career as an engineer, we started meetings with safety moments and were always reminded that no job is too important to compromise safety. Since many people haven’t been trained this way, I want to bring this to people’s attention.
Being visible is critical when outside – especially with the shorter length of daylight in the fall and during hunting season. Our IRONBULL Red Granite Grinder next weekend will be starting at dawn with the course closing at dusk. To keep riders safe, we recommend that riders wear bright clothing, preferably blaze orange, especially since riders will also be going through Nine Mile Forest which is open to hunting. Riders will also be on the roads, so we are requiring all riders to carry a flashing rear light which must be on after 6 pm. Now most riders do not intend to be out there that long, but things happen. So we also recommend carrying a headlamp.
Today, my husband frequently reminds me that I need to come home safely to may family who need me.
Earlier this year when I was training for an overnight race, I casually approached a long run that I knew would be ending in the dark. I figured I’d only be running a sliver of the time in the dark and I didn’t want to “lug” a headlamp with me! Well, as I was stumbling in the darkness almost running into downed trees from a storm the prior week, I realized I had made a mistake. However it was too late. I was fortunate that I knew the area extremely well since I couldn’t even see the trail anymore. I knew where my turn was to go home, but could not see a thing and ended up running a couple of extra miles in the dark. Lesson learned – the extra few grams are worth it!
During my college days, we had fun wearing bright colors so we were visible on the roads!
And if you plan to be out near dark, not only is a headlamp critical but also reflective clothing. It’s amazing where technology was gone in recent years in these two areas.
Dr. Rick Tyrrel, director of the Visual Perception and Performance Lab at the University of Clemson, has conducted numerous studies regarding cyclist visibility. In one study, drivers only recognized 2% of cyclists wearing black clothing, 15% of cyclists wearing a fluorescent vest, 50% a reflective vest, and 90% wearing a reflective vest plus reflectors.
Safety is important for everyone at IRONBULL events, so all our volunteers on road crossings also wear high visibility vests.
So whether you’re on the roads or trails, make sure you’re visible so you make it home! Do you have a recommendation for a headlamp or visible clothing? Share it below!