Some summer days strung together

7 day forecast for highs in the low 80s and lows in the high 50's
I know the rest of the country is sweltering with high heat indexes, but we in the Pacific Northwest have been devoid of dry days above 70 degrees for looong time.

I've been thinking of making a coast to coast bike ride, when I have the time for such folly.  that'll likely mean being retired.

At that careful phase of my life, (and aged 60), I'll want it to be a safe trip.  So when I can't find the type of road  that has low traffic counts, I want the package of my bike, panniers, and my self to be seen by  the motor vehicle operators.

That's the basis of eschewing fashion, and going for "orange", and more specifically the international orange. To cover as much as possible.  Jersey, vests, helmet cover and shoe covers, so far.

Jersey from Performance, Ascent is the label.  They go on sale fairly often for sub $25/ea.
Vest from a Google search for ANSI Class III vests, that's the standard that specifies what a road worker's safety vest should be built.  Lots of reflectors and International Orange (even after 25 washings  in the washing machine).   I've since seen t-shirts with the same kind of specifications.
Helmet cover and shoe covers from  HHKnits.etsy.com,  made to exacting specifications.

keep the rubber side down

it's still not summer up here in the northwest

need three layers and full gloves to not get chilled on the morning commutes, but there is still hope. Summer comes next Tuesday. And at least coming home is finally without any extra layers to keep warm in. The ANSI Class III safety vest isn't going to win any fashion shows, but it sure is visable! And if you go on-line, there available at quite reasonable prices, compared to strictly cycling apparel. I've since found out there is also a t-shirt version, sporting only one chest pocket instead of the (at least six) of the vest.

International Orange helmet covers

As a middle aged cyclist, I've thought long and hard about the "dark" side of cycling. Sure, there are many good aspects, like fitness and energy savings and decreased dependence on unstable unfriendly foreign governments and....

Along with saving lots of sick leave (a form of disability insurance) I subscribe to the theory that MOST drivers of motor vehicles do not want to run me over, although they don't always appreciate the vulnerability of being on two wheels at the edge of the road.

Another defense to help overcome the mass disadvantage that my 180lb body with another 30lbs of bike and accessories has against at least 1.5tons is that the driver of the more massive vehicle needs to be able to see what they are coming up to along the road. So I subscribe to the road riders that want to be SEEN by all motor vehicle drivers.

To that end, bright colors in the daytime, and lots of reflective surfaces in the dark are what I think are my best defense. At least my surviving spouses lawyers can argue that the defendant should have been able to see me.

Bright helmet covers, international orange are available at her Facebook Page
www.facebook.com/HHknits as well as at her etsy.com website
www.etsy.com/shop/hhknits
Not only are they visable, they keep the ventilation holes covered, when the cooler temps are around.