From: jobst.brandt@stanfordalumni.org
Subject: Re: Eye protection during winter
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc
Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2001 03:52:48 GMT

Bill Chin writes:

> Definitely check out places that sell ski equipment.  I have a thin
> ski cap with snap on visor (hard to describe without seeing it).
> Anyway, it is great for chilly weather and the visor is a light
> yellow tint so I can use it day or night.  I can wear a helmet over
> the cap if I take out all the helmet pads, but I usually skip that.

I seem to have missed something here.  Why do you believe you need to
wear eye protection in winter, or any other time.  Are you aware that
the last time professional riders wore eye protection was when passes
in the Alps were still dirt roads.  It wasn't until Oakley paid Greg
Lemond to wear their odd shaped glasses that they became a fashion
statement.  Today the swim goggle style is in although it fogs up in a
hurry when cool, but they look rave with their slant eyed look with
iridescent coatings.

In contrast, skiers have goggles to keep snow out of their eyes if its
snowing or they are chasing another skier downhill.  Most of the time
they are a visual hindrance because they obscure peripheral vision.  I
am often asked by riders how I manage to ride without glasses instead
of asking themselves why the ride with them.  I ride with others who
ride without eye protection and have contact lenses, that's how
important it is.

The great cost of bicycling eye-wear is incommensurate with cost of
manufacture that is in the toy glasses range.  That should be a tip
off.

Jobst Brandt    <jobst.brandt@stanfordalumni.org>

From: jobst.brandt@stanfordalumni.org
Subject: Re: Eye protection during winter
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc
Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2001 07:04:24 GMT

Terry Morse writes:

>> I seem to have missed something here.  Why do you believe you need
>> to wear eye protection in winter, or any other time.

> Sun, wind, bugs, cold, leaf blowers, off the top of my head.

You may think so but I have bicycled in all those conditions for
longer than most and descended fast in rain and snow.  This is not the
problem that one can imagine.  I think the perception is characterized
by your leaf blowers comment.

>> In contrast, skiers have goggles to keep snow out of their eyes if
>> its snowing or they are chasing another skier downhill.

> If it's cold enough and you're moving fast enough, goggles are a
> godsend. Wind and cold can work together to make a mess of eyeballs.
> Just a few minutes descending when the temperature is sub-zero will
> make a goggle believer out of anyone.

I think I've done enough of that to know that this is not true but
rather a perception from an imagination that is trying to justify
purchasing these trinkets from bicycle shops.

>> Most of the time they [goggles] are a visual hindrance because they
>> obscure peripheral vision.

> Only poorly designed or old fashioned goggles hinder peripheral vision.

As I said, bicycle goggles more like swimmer's goggles and limit
peripheral vision.

>> I ride with others who ride without eye protection and have contact
>> lenses, that's how important it is.

> I know several free climbers who climb mountains without ropes,
> that's how important safety gear is.

This is not parallel but you might cite Reinhold Messner who climbed
all the great peaks alone and without oxygen.  That is also immaterial
to bicycle eyewear.

>> The great cost of bicycling eye-wear is incommensurate with cost of
>> manufacture that is in the toy glasses range.  That should be a tip
>> off.

> The same overpriced argument could be made of just about any other
> bicycle clothing or part.

You mean "should be made" and I agree.  I see the stuff regularly.  To
me it looks like the fins on the back of sedans and some expensive
sport cars.  It's a lot of eyewash, so to speak.

Jobst Brandt    <jobst.brandt@stanfordalumni.org>