Does anyone have advice about wearing prescription cycle spe

[Madra]

I've only been road cycling for about three months and I'm really enjoying it. I'm really getting into the gear now and have recently purchased a cycle computer which includes a heart tate monitor. However, because I wear specs (.and don't use them when I'm cycling) I can just make out the monitor. I'm not keen on wearing my verifocals so I was wondering if anyone had any advice about the best way to resolve this problem. Preferably without resorting to paying vast sums of money for specialist sports prescription glasses.

[saddlesore]

I just wear my standard varilux / varifocals. The main problem is rain, especially at night. It helps to wear a peak (either cap or helmet, as you wish). If you would prefer something specific, try optilabs.com - good reports, about £145 for varifocals.

[Pete]

Depends what you're thinking of as vast expense... Glasses with a prescription snap in las built by Rudy Project and Bolle cost a fair bit, but not /that/ much. I paid £110 for mine which was the basic glasses, clear and grey lenses (use the clears when you don't want sunglasses) and the prescription insert with my prescription glazed in. I've subsequently come across a few folk who've paid more and one or two that paid less, so shop around.

It's often worth having some sort of glasses anyway, to keep the flies out of your eyes in summer and the cold air in winter. Having a prescription so you can see properly is definitely an added bonus!

They also keep the odd blob of flying gloop out of your eyes, and possibly a flying bit of grit if you're in a pack of bikes. Polycarbonate lenses won't shatter if you come to grief either.

I can ride without a prescription: my eyes are,'t /that/ bad, but it's generally a Good Thing in any case. No regrets buying mine (Bolle Vigilantes in my case), and though they're not cheap, how much was your computer and HRM? Oh, and the shorts, jersey. jacket, clipless pedals and shoes? And the bike? And so on. If you're "really getting into the gear" might as well be a completist and get something that works well for your eyes too.

Pete.

[Madra]

Thanks guys! I'll take your advice and shop around and thanks for taking the time to reply. Incidentally, I do wear wrap -around glasses when I'm on my bike. I wouldn't want you to get the wrong impression about me but a purchased pair of sports glasses from Aldi, at a stunning £2.99!!! I've got a more expensive pair but these are so comfortable cool!

[Jon]

Wear your prescription lenses, whatever the type of specs.

If you're in an accident and need to make a compensation claim, the other party's lawyers will counter claim against you for cycling with defective vision if your not wearing corrective lenses.

[CJ]

I have the same kind of problem and don't wear my prescription glasses when cycling, for the simple reason that I'm long-sighted, so my prescription is for reading glasses.

I can see everything perfectly provided that it's more than one metre away, but reading the map is becoming rather a strain and getting out the reading glasses would be too much palaver.

My solution: a monocle! On a string round my neck it's always handy for a bit of navigation. I can still read the bike computer without it - but probably not for much longer.