I bought a cheap camera--sold under the Vivitar brand at Tarjay for $60 or so (plus a few shekels for the memory card...). I just couldn't bring myself to spring for the GoPro, at $200 plus bike handlebar mount and other accessories--yet.
During its first outing, I drove my bicycle through an intersection that seems to terrify many local cyclists, due to the varying ways motor vehicles approach one's path. I speak of Shelbyville Road westbound under the Watterson "Distressway" (or Expressway, although with its frequent traffic tie-ups, "express" doesn't really seem a valid term). Since I live off New LaGrange Road, and travel to do errands in the Saint Matthews area pretty often, it's a corridor that sees a fair bit of use for me. Whole Foods, Feeder's Supply, and, eventually, a new movie theater complex are just the other side of the Watterson from us.
It really is pretty easy most of the time, though. Follow a few basic guidelines, ride as if you own the road (you do, after all), and folks will give you ample room.
These are raw videos, with no editing (save for time). My camera records in five-minute segments and saves the segments sequentially for later review. It also seems to rattle around in its case while the bike is moving, hence the constant noise. Since there is no dialog, feel free to mute the sound if you like:
Here's another segment of US60, this one from Sage Road to Heimerdinger Cutlery near Hubbards Lane:
Note that even on a weekday afternoon I have a LOT of time when there is no other road user affected by me (or I by them). Part of this is due to my road position--well out in the lane and easy to see at greater distance. Folks don't often try to squeeze by me if I'm occupying the lane in a safe manner. They have plenty of time to adjust their speeds to get around me using other lanes.
No comments:
Post a Comment