Saved by my Oakleys today
Discussion
Having always worn clear lenses when cycling to protect my eyes (from wind, rain and flies mainly) I had my first ever "TFFT" moment today when an overtaking car spat a bit of gravel straight at my left eye.
The lens needs replacing but my eye doesnt - happy days
In one of those impossible to ever reconcile scenarios I had ridden in heavy rain for the first part of my ride and this coupled with the humidity today lead to me taking the glasses off and relying on my cap to keep the water out of my face for an hour or so. They hardly ever mist up but todays conditions were just too much. Just before the car incident Id stopped to take the glasses out of my pocket, wipe them down and put them on and so if Id carried on without the car wouldnt have overtaken me in the same spot and not kicked up the gravel.
Im probably over thinking this....
Be careful out there
I never go out without glasses, clear or tinted.
I've had so many bees and other assorted bits of debris thrown up at my face over the years, that it's probably saved me from a nasty eye injury on plenty of occasions.
I've become a bit of a cycling guru over the last 5 years at work for all the new MAMILS starting up and I always advocate the purchase of a decent pair of cycling glasses amongst the initial recommended kit purchases.
I've had so many bees and other assorted bits of debris thrown up at my face over the years, that it's probably saved me from a nasty eye injury on plenty of occasions.
I've become a bit of a cycling guru over the last 5 years at work for all the new MAMILS starting up and I always advocate the purchase of a decent pair of cycling glasses amongst the initial recommended kit purchases.
I have to agree with other posters about glasses being essential.
To me, they're joint top of the essential items list with gloves (for palm protection). Then I'd say a helmet, and for me clippy shoes.
Glasses have saved me from pain, discomfort, and quite possibly permanent eye damage on many occasions. From flies, bees and beetles, to tree branches, brambles, and as the OP mentions, gravel or other debris thrown up from the road or trails. I used to carry alternative lenses but now I mostly pick a tint before I ride and stick with it. I ride most often in clear lenses though, with our variable weather conditions.
They don't need to be expensive sunnies neither. I wear mine (military issue ballistic protection jobbies) in all weathers, day and night. You never know when you'll need them, and it's too late when the damage is already done...
To me, they're joint top of the essential items list with gloves (for palm protection). Then I'd say a helmet, and for me clippy shoes.
Glasses have saved me from pain, discomfort, and quite possibly permanent eye damage on many occasions. From flies, bees and beetles, to tree branches, brambles, and as the OP mentions, gravel or other debris thrown up from the road or trails. I used to carry alternative lenses but now I mostly pick a tint before I ride and stick with it. I ride most often in clear lenses though, with our variable weather conditions.
They don't need to be expensive sunnies neither. I wear mine (military issue ballistic protection jobbies) in all weathers, day and night. You never know when you'll need them, and it's too late when the damage is already done...
Same as OP, I always wear glasses, swap lenses before the ride according to the weather. My eyes water really easily anyway, so keeping the wind off my eyes was the initial reason to wear glasses.
A few times I have taken the glasses off, heavy rain, but mostly keep them in place. I've been struck on the lense with a bit of gravel kicked up by a truck tyre, had a small stone hit my cheek too, so know they've saved my eyesight.
Whether it's Oakleys or other brands, as long as the lense is tested for safety and UV protection you can't go far wrong IMO.
A few times I have taken the glasses off, heavy rain, but mostly keep them in place. I've been struck on the lense with a bit of gravel kicked up by a truck tyre, had a small stone hit my cheek too, so know they've saved my eyesight.
Whether it's Oakleys or other brands, as long as the lense is tested for safety and UV protection you can't go far wrong IMO.
I'd likely be blind in one eye if I wasn't wearing glasses when a car reversed straight into me when I was doing 30mph and I went through the rear windscreen, have a scar that goes up my cheek and then a massive scratch that runs along the glasses.
I'd rather ride without a helmet than without glasses, have some pictures of the crash on facebook (they are a bit graphic so warning in advance) https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152927...
I'd rather ride without a helmet than without glasses, have some pictures of the crash on facebook (they are a bit graphic so warning in advance) https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152927...
Another here that always wears glasses for riding for exactly the reasons stated above. You can't put a price on sight.
It just so happens I'm an Oakley fanboy
and all my glasses are theirs apart from one set of Bolle's. Yes they're expensive, but I also know they will withstand almost everything that's going to hit them, be it small stones, mud, bugs and branches.
It just so happens I'm an Oakley fanboy
and all my glasses are theirs apart from one set of Bolle's. Yes they're expensive, but I also know they will withstand almost everything that's going to hit them, be it small stones, mud, bugs and branches.untakenname said:
I'd likely be blind in one eye if I wasn't wearing glasses when a car reversed straight into me when I was doing 30mph and I went through the rear windscreen, have a scar that goes up my cheek and then a massive scratch that runs along the glasses.
I'd rather ride without a helmet than without glasses, have some pictures of the crash on facebook (they are a bit graphic so warning in advance) https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152927...
I'd rather ride without a helmet than without glasses, have some pictures of the crash on facebook (they are a bit graphic so warning in advance) https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152927...
Bloody hell! You did that properly.
I have a few pairs of these kicking around: http://www.screwfix.com/p/dewalt-protector-pro-smo... (also available in yellow which is better for dark days)
I started cycling in them after I wrote off a pair of nicer sunglasses in a similar way to the OP; the optical side is negligibly different but the number of things that have bounced off them make me a massive fan compared to conventional sunnies. The 10x2 screw that one pair caught a month or so ago as it was thrown up by a lorry, in particular, has reinforced this preference!
I started cycling in them after I wrote off a pair of nicer sunglasses in a similar way to the OP; the optical side is negligibly different but the number of things that have bounced off them make me a massive fan compared to conventional sunnies. The 10x2 screw that one pair caught a month or so ago as it was thrown up by a lorry, in particular, has reinforced this preference!
This thread, followed by getting hit in the eye by what seemed to be the world's largest bumblebee on Friday, prompted me to get a pair of these
www.wiggle.co.uk/bbb-select-sport-sunglasses/
In black.....
Oh my, what a revelation! Today was the first time I'd ever ridden with glasses and quite why it's taken me so long I have no idea. I'm generally not a big fan of the styling but you only get one set of eyes!! To have done a decent ride without eyes watering due to the wind, and absolutely no road debris, flies/insects etc in my eye was most welcome!!
I was concerned about darker lenses in shaded areas but wore them today as it was a very sunny day but even in shaded areas I didn't have any issues. I can use the clear lenses for wet weather riding. Not sure about the yellow ones yet, anyone used them before (or similar, on another pair of glasses).....are they good for night riding, or do you get blinded by car headlights?
Cheers
www.wiggle.co.uk/bbb-select-sport-sunglasses/
In black.....
Oh my, what a revelation! Today was the first time I'd ever ridden with glasses and quite why it's taken me so long I have no idea. I'm generally not a big fan of the styling but you only get one set of eyes!! To have done a decent ride without eyes watering due to the wind, and absolutely no road debris, flies/insects etc in my eye was most welcome!!
I was concerned about darker lenses in shaded areas but wore them today as it was a very sunny day but even in shaded areas I didn't have any issues. I can use the clear lenses for wet weather riding. Not sure about the yellow ones yet, anyone used them before (or similar, on another pair of glasses).....are they good for night riding, or do you get blinded by car headlights?
Cheers
Seems it happens more often then we think.
On Thursday evening I got hit in the eye by a very large insect which fortunately for me hit my glass lens and then bounced off somewhere along the trail - gave me a right shock at the time!
I remember thinking at the time How lucky I was wearing glasses. For a number of reasons they should be the one piece of kit every cyclist should have as soon as funds allow.
On Thursday evening I got hit in the eye by a very large insect which fortunately for me hit my glass lens and then bounced off somewhere along the trail - gave me a right shock at the time!
I remember thinking at the time How lucky I was wearing glasses. For a number of reasons they should be the one piece of kit every cyclist should have as soon as funds allow.
E65Ross said:
What's it like riding with glasses when it's raining??
OP here I find them essential although in high humidity they do mist as I described
This is possibly the only area where spending extra has some tangible reward as in my experience cheaper glasses fog over a lot more readily than mine which have ventilated lenses
To answer another point raised yellow lenses allegedly help on flat light but I just use clear, including at night, and swap to tints for the 2 days a year we have strong sunlight!
Cheers
numtumfutunch said:
E65Ross said:
What's it like riding with glasses when it's raining??
OP here I find them essential although in high humidity they do mist as I described
This is possibly the only area where spending extra has some tangible reward as in my experience cheaper glasses fog over a lot more readily than mine which have ventilated lenses
To answer another point raised yellow lenses allegedly help on flat light but I just use clear, including at night, and swap to tints for the 2 days a year we have strong sunlight!
Cheers
They seem to dry really quickly which helps.
Mine are blue tinted so can be a bit tricky at dusk.
I'm surprised that anyone would ride at more than walking pace without a pair of specs on! I've been using cheapie sports specs from Lidl or Aldi: they typically come with 3 sets of lenses - clear, yellow, sunnies and they are cheap enough to feel disposable.
In wet weather I use the anti-fog spray made for motorbike helmet visors to maintain visibility.
In wet weather I use the anti-fog spray made for motorbike helmet visors to maintain visibility.
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