Quote from: Cody Barnes on May 05, 2025, 04:21:19 PMInteresting idea! I initially thought that a ferro-magnetic metal was required to trip the sensors. But apparently any conductive material works.

Cody - Read the paragraph on page 3 of attached which starts "There is a common misconception that an object must be ferrous (include iron) to activate a traffic signal loop sensor, or that a ferrous object will perform better." Read Common Rim Materials paragraph at the end to show performance of aluminum as the conductor.

I haven't done this myself yet and ymmv (mine, too). Phil Young, head of the defunct local Wheelmen chapter, is the source of the 90% anecdote I mentioned at first and who shared this with me.

Super interesting!  Question:  Are the non-circular zones as easy to visually detect as the circles?  I regularly notice the circular ones, which have that obvious circle showing, but maybe I'm overlooking the others.

Interesting idea! I initially thought that a ferro-magnetic metal was required to trip the sensors. But apparently any conductive material works. This link has some interesting details about how that works.

A few years ago, San Diego city estimated that about 1/3 of the 30,000 sensor loops were malfunctioning or non-operational. At the time, they were beginning a campaign to start fixing those. However, at an expected rate of fixing about 250 per year, it was expected that it would take up to 40 years to fix them all.

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2022/07/30/new-san-diego-campaign-aims-to-reduce-traffic-by-replacing-broken-traffic-sensors-4/

It works by electromagenetic induction. For physics aficianados: Maxwell's equations (simpler, Faraday's Law)

If you haven't yet been to Smart Cycling, this is what is shown 

All who have taken Smart Cycling know that the best way to trip signal lights with standard loop detectors marked by wires on the pavement is to place your tires tangent to the wires - Tires to the Wires! It works great for aluminum rims. However, carbon rims have low conduction properties and Tires to the Wires! generally will not work. Here is a tip that may help you carbon wheel folks. You can buy HVAC aluminum tape with adhesive at your h/w store (used to wrap pipes and vents) and cut a strip to place over your rim tape (even if you run tubeless). It has been reported to trip signals > 90% of the time. So you, too, can trip those signals now.

This house is available. I definitely can assert that it will be a nice house in excellent condition, knowing the owner. I can get a capacity and price if we have enough interest. She (owner) blocked off dates for us that weekend.

I have family up there that I usually stay with. But if a group we're going, I wouldn't be opposed to changing my plans a bit.

A pre-retirement co-worker has a rental house in Big Bear. I talked to her in December about renting it for that weekend. It was available then. Any interest?

Great idea Mike.  Unfortunately I have visitors on that date otherwise I'd join.
Tony.