We always remember the time we learned how to ride a bike. This was in the 1970’s for me. It wasn’t until my late teens that I decided I wanted to spend more time on a bike. I became one of those ‘strange people’ riding ‘somewhere’ on a highway throughout my college and post college years. I raced throughout my 40’s, and still ride competitively.
Sadly, one particular incident occurred in a nearby small town. Through no act of aggression by a driver, two cyclist friends did not make it home one day. I decided start using a mirror while cycling on the road.
My thought was ‘if you get into a car, one of the first things to do is to is to check the mirrors.’ Why should a cyclist be any different? If anything, it is more important.
I have used a mirror 22 out of the 35 years of cycling. As time goes on, the awareness aspect of using a mirror became a necessary part of my cycling. Other mirror users and I discuss riding without a mirror and feeling very defenseless. Strangely enough, the word that is used to describe the feeling is ‘naked.’ Many people, including myself, had previously been reluctant to use such a device because of inefficient designs. The products featured on this website address such design shortcomings. Ride safe, my friends.