PTW

Our 2022 Club Event Season kicks off next Thursday (April 7th).

We've had the 'red light rule' for a couple of seasons but now we have a 'front light rule' as well. In summary, no competitor shall be permitted to start unless such competitor has affixed to the front of their machine a working white light and to the rear of their machine a working red light. Both lights can be either flashing or constant but they must be in a position that is clearly visible to other road users.

In addition, all competitors must wear a properly affixed helmet which must be of hard/soft shell construction.

Attaching a front-light to a TT bike is not easy. Most front lights are designed to fit to standard round handlebars (32mm or so) and only at RIGHT ANGLES. My TT bike has got aerobars (made by Cadbury's), to which the light will not fit. It will attach to the round tubes on the skis, but then it can only point upwards or sideways!

[As it happens my front light will go sideways, so I can attach it to the skis. This is how I've been getting home in the dark in previous years, but it's not ideal. Because it's sticking out to the side, so you can angle it downwards just the right amount, it's not stable. Therefore, you have to keep repositioning it every time you go over a bump.]

The solution I've read about is to take a section of broom handle (yep), cut two notches in each end, and then fit it in between the skis. Drill some holes in it, secure it in place with cable ties, and the notches should hopefully stop it being able to rotate. Cover it with handlebar tape and hey presto, a lightweight accessory handlebar.

I'll give it a go and see how I get on. All I need to find is a sacrificial broom.