…is it a bad idea? I live in a pretty low traffic area (about one car passes every 4-5 min.). Local weather says visibility is .6 mi, but it definitely looks like pea soup out there. http://www.weather.com/weather/local/06470?lswe=06470&lwsa=WeatherLocalUndeclared&from=whatwhere
I think it’s a very bad idea. We can be hard enough for drivers to see as it is.
I know it’s tough if you have a certain time window to get out there and then there’s fog. I think you have to be wise and realize how detrimental to your training it would be if you were hit by a car.
Bob C.
That’s why they invented stationary trainers.
…is it a bad idea? I live in a pretty low traffic area (about one car passes every 4-5 min.). Local weather says visibility is .6 mi, but it definitely looks like pea soup out there. http://www.weather.com/weather/local/06470?lswe=06470&lwsa=WeatherLocalUndeclared&from=whatwhere
You’ve got to ask yourself one question: ‘Do I feel lucky?’ Well, do ya, punk?
If you have really good lights front and rear, and wear high visibility and/or reflective clothing, you’ll be ok. You also might want to dress in your rain gear because dense fog can be pretty wet.
Also be aware that fog is generally thicker in the valleys or near wetlands/rivers/lakes, if you can plan a bike route to minimize those fog friendly conditions.
BrokenSpoke
I’ve not ridden in any other type of weather that feels more mystical than heavy fog. Nor has there been any type of weather that I feel more vulnerable.
i wouldn’t do it. drivers can’t even see the lane lines at that point. they’re sure as hell not going to see you. unless you don’t mind having a high probability of getting run over and left on the side of the road bleeding and all…
“If you have really good lights front and rear, and wear high visibility and/or reflective clothing, you’ll be ok.”
Airplanes have “really good lights” (landing lights) and so do runways … and they close down airport operations in fog. Car headlights can disappear in fog when they’re only 20 feet away. Those would have to be some damn good lights on that bike – better than car headlights or aviation lights. And no reflective clothing is going to be any good when it’s shrouded in fog. Not to be too blunt about it, but this is terrible advice!
Bob C.
“If you have really good lights front and rear, and wear high visibility and/or reflective clothing, you’ll be ok.”
Airplanes have “really good lights” (landing lights) and so do runways … and they close down airport operations in fog. Car headlights can disappear in fog when they’re only 20 feet away. Those would have to be some damn good lights on that bike – better than car headlights or aviation lights. And no reflective clothing is going to be any good when it’s shrouded in fog. Not to be too blunt about it, but this is terrible advice!
Bob C.
20 feet is one thing, while .6 miles, which is about 3,000 feet, is quite another.
update- I waited until the fog lifted enough that I could see my neighbor’s house very clearly (75 yds away). I had a very safe ride, the sun even began to poke through the clouds as I got home. So thanks for all the advice, I’m glad I took it!