Coloration isn’t one thing I first thought of once I started touring by bike, however over time I’ve come to the belief that coloration is essential. When touring by bike, there are a selection of areas to concentrate to when deciding on colours… and I wish to discuss these areas in the present day.
Panniers:
When touring by bike, most of your days are going to be spent within the saddle. In case you are touring with panniers, it’s essential to make particular effort when deciding on your pannier colours. As you will note in a second, coloration says quite a bit about you and might immediately decide whether or not or not you’ll stay secure whereas out on the street.
Garments:
The colour of your garments can also be crucial. If you’re in your bike you’ll want to be seen by passing automobiles, however on the similar time, chances are you’ll not wish to appear like a neon yellow lemon in spandex shorts.
Tent:
Lastly, the colour of your tent is one thing to contemplate. In case you plan to spend any time stealth tenting whereas in your bicycle tour, deciding on the proper tent coloration is essential.
Why is coloration so vital for the aforementioned gadgets?
The colours you select for the merchandise talked about above are vital as a result of they decide your security out on the street.
For years now, cyclists have darned vibrant flashy neon coloured clothes, helmets, and kit. They’ve performed this for a purpose! These colours get drivers to concentrate! The very last thing you need when touring by bike is to get hit by a passing motorist… and vibrant flashy colours have been proven to assist in these regards.
That being mentioned, not everybody desires to appear like a neon signal using down the street (I do know I definitely don’t) and there are occasions once I imagine trying like a neon gentle bulb isn’t solely a nasty thought, however may be detrimental to your security.
For one, vibrant colours draw consideration to you in conditions the place chances are you’ll not need such consideration. In some locations world wide, having flashy coloured panniers and/or garments make you immediately stand out as a vacationer. They might sign that you’ve got cash or that you simply don’t know the place you’re going. In lots of locations, this isn’t an issue, however in some areas, trying like a vacationer isn’t a good suggestion.
I’m nonetheless within the technique of attempting to determine precisely tips on how to stay secure out on the street and never appear like a strolling billboard on the similar time, however I’ve positively received some theories.
Initially, if you recognize you’ll be touring by way of areas with excessive crime charges or locations the place individuals will not be accustomed to seeing a bicycle owner in spandex bike shorts, decide panniers and garments which can be rather more muted in coloration. Use black, grey, or inexperienced panniers and put on garments that, for probably the most half, mix in with what the native individuals are carrying.
Alternatively, in case you are touring by way of Europe or possibly throughout the USA or Canada, having vibrant pink, blue, or yellow panniers and clothes might be not going to be a problem. In these locations, chances are you’ll stand out as a vacationer, however for probably the most half, nobody goes to care.
If you’ll be touring by way of a mixture of secure vacationer areas and sketchy streets, I’d suggest shopping for darkish panniers after which utilizing brightly coloured rain covers whenever you wish to be seen out on the street. This fashion you may experience just about unseen whenever you wish to and stand out when the climate will get dangerous.
I’d additionally suggest having two totally different modifications of garments to select from. Have one pair of garments that’s extra brightly coloured (like pink, orange, or yellow) and have one other pair that’s extra muted (like brown, black, or inexperienced). This fashion you may stand out whenever you wish to and mix in the remainder of the time.
Lastly, when deciding on your tent coloration, having a vibrant coloured tent might be to your profit if you happen to get into an emergency scenario and it’s essential to sign for assist. Having a vibrant pink or yellow tent will make it simpler for a helicopter or different security personnel to seek out and are available to your rescue.
Nonetheless, if you happen to plan to do any form of stealth tenting, a brightly coloured tent can blow your cowl and get you into an entire lot of hassle. In case you plan to do any stealth tenting, choose a tent that has a brown, inexperienced, black or camouflage exterior. These colours will assist you to higher mix in together with your environment and stay hidden all through the night time.
As you may see, there are a selection of issues to consider when deciding on the colour of your panniers, garments, and tent. I want I had a 100% particular reply on tips on how to stay seen however not appear like a neon road signal on the similar time, however I don’t. I believe there must be a contented medium someplace inbetween and I’m nonetheless looking for that medium. As soon as I discover it, I’ll let you recognize!
I’m curious to listen to what your impressions are about deciding on the colour of your panniers, garments, and tent.. Do you assume having brightly coloured panniers and/or garments is a good suggestion or a nasty one? Do you’ve a narrative the place coloration made a distinction in your security out on the street? Please use the feedback field under to share your ideas and tales with different BicycleTouringPro.com readers.
Save