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CYCLING

​Nick Wachter

Personal Trainer & Conditioning Coach

PhysiKcal Fitness; Feb 27th 2013

5 Reasons to ride with a bike cam



                                                                                                  

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I've been using cameras for a while now on my bike. i have a forward facing camera and a rear facing camera. I was commuting to work at various times from peak hour to late night and although journeys were short (20 minutes) they were right through the city center. Very busy, not well designed round about for cars let alone bikes.

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1 RIDE PHOTOS

They're great for capturing images of your riding buddies or group, you get some great scenic shots. If you have been cycling for years and haven't got any photos of you in action, just ride behind a friend with a camera and voila, your got your shot. Group shots descending are particular good. So if you belong to a club and want some great photos for your website sit at the back and follow them down a descending that winds



2. NUMBER PLATES

initially when buying a camera i thought if i have an accident at least the police can review the footage and find the person responsible. A good camera will get number plates in most situations, even when cars are accelerating fast as high speeds. Be aware the cheaper camera's wont be as good. Great when a car sits behind you, but to get the number plate at speed you need high resolution. 





3. DETARENT



I find this the main reason every cyclist should have a camera. if your riding through rush hour and a driver is close behind you behind inpatient a quick point at your back camera (ideally situated so its easily seen, and bright yellow) means they now know they're on film. its amazing how quickly they dropped back 20m and are very patient. 



Ive used my cameras in several different positions and some are very hard to see, even if you could you may think its a light. So my advice for a back camera, is buy a bright yellow one and position it so its easily visable. Even when i have forgotten to charge it, i still put it on. they have no idea its not rolling. 





 

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4. CAPTURING THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE UGLY

camera's are also great if you a you tube fan. you will capture funny things at the side of the road, people missing them clips and falling over, dangerous car manouveurs, animals running past your wheel at 60kph. While these can be quite fun they also help to warn other cyclist of the ever present and sometimes unavoidable dangers of wild animals and their tendencies to want to get as close to your wheel as you can. Its also good for footage of dangerous overtakes, aggressive behaviors etc.







5. AVOIDING VIOLENCE



Often as a cyclist you will get abused. The same way as car drivers often suffer abuse from other car drivers. Sometimes it can be intimidating. I've been in several situations where a car has slammed its brakes on and the driver started swearing very aggressively towards me. For me as an ex rugby player, this (even in lycra) it isn't much of an issue and i'm more than willing to express my opinion. We live in a country where its your right too after all. A heated debate can turn into threats of violence at which point the best way to diffuse the situation (or win) is to mention that everything is on camera and not only will the police get a copy but the whole of youtube will too. Its amazing how quickly people get back in their car and on their way. I'm sure the threat of youtube concerns them more than the police.  

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PHOTO SCAPE

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If you want photographs you will have to download software for your pc.

I use photoscape, its free and simple to use​

 

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One feature is "screen capture". When you ant a photo you play your video in your movie player, hit pause and then use screen capture to take a photo. ​

 

 

 

 

 

It is also very good for capturing your bad habits or those of your fellow riders.

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Red lights

inappropriate Under takes / over takes



check out silly cyclist you tube and traffic driod on you tube. they were recently featured in a BBC documentary "war on the roads"







* ALWAYS SEEK PROFESSION/MEDICAL HELP

BEFORE STARTING OR CHANGING ANY EXERCISE REGIME.