lights

czb said:

i have never ridden at night. i have a race coming up that has a cut
off at the 80 mile marker that says if you are not at that point by a
certain hour and have no lights, you will not be allowed to continue
the race.

i had hoped to be in good enough shape to render lights a non-issue,
but recent rides have confirmed that i could actually be nearing that
mark too late, and would thus need lights. i do not want to have to
quit at 80 because i lack lights.

at the same time, i hate the idea of buying lights just for this.

so here's my question and any help would be welcomed and really
appreciated. there seems to be a range of lighting options. i need to
know if i need lights for my helmet and handlebars or just one or the
other. for this race in particular it would be to ensure completion of
the last 20 miles. the grade probably averages 6 percent on the last
20 miles and it's fairly technical (shenandoah). no gonzo, but tricky.

having never used nor worn lamps, and having done a little research on
this site and the web, i am looking for recommendations on good but not
too costly options and suggestions.

also as far as practicing with this stuff goes, how crazy is night
riding? i suppose it makes sense to put in some hours practicing with
the equipment. again, any help is appreciated.

For me, night riding makes the mundane flat trails on Southern New
Jersey a little more exciting. I started off with regular halogen
lights but quickly learned that they just didn't last long enough. I
also had an LED light system, which although went the distance, was not
bright enough. I ended up buying two HID's. A niterider cyclone for
the helmet and storm for the bars. Yes, very pricey but it makes me
feel more confident coming around the blind corners (and we have many of
them). The only race I do is 24 hours of Allamuchy. Although I do it
on a team of four and not solo, I appreciate having the HID lights
especially on the technical sections. You could easily get away with
one HID, but as I said I am more confident with two.

You are doing 20 miles in the dark with a lot of climbing. You are
going to need a light that lasts three hours. Other than LED (which is
not bright), HID is going to be the one. I also suspect that you might
like night riding after giving it a go. It's also great for Winter
riding, since daylight is a premium. IMO, I would spend the $$$ and get
at least one HID.

--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws

"czb" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

i have never ridden at night. i have a race coming up that has a cut
off at the 80 mile marker that says if you are not at that point by a
certain hour and have no lights, you will not be allowed to continue
the race.

i had hoped to be in good enough shape to render lights a non-issue,
but recent rides have confirmed that i could actually be nearing that
mark too late, and would thus need lights. i do not want to have to
quit at 80 because i lack lights.

at the same time, i hate the idea of buying lights just for this.

so here's my question and any help would be welcomed and really
appreciated. there seems to be a range of lighting options. i need to
know if i need lights for my helmet and handlebars or just one or the
other. for this race in particular it would be to ensure completion of
the last 20 miles. the grade probably averages 6 percent on the last
20 miles and it's fairly technical (shenandoah). no gonzo, but tricky.

having never used nor worn lamps, and having done a little research on
this site and the web, i am looking for recommendations on good but not
too costly options and suggestions.

also as far as practicing with this stuff goes, how crazy is night
riding? i suppose it makes sense to put in some hours practicing with
the equipment. again, any help is appreciated.

At night it really helps to know the trail well. I do not use my light
during a full moon except under the canopy. When riding at night you can not
tell how deep the dips and holes are, they are just dark pools. The rocks
cast shadows that make the trail look allot more technical than it is.

I prefer a light on my helmet and own an older Nite Rider Evolution, use to
get 2 hours run time, 3 years later getting about 1 1/2 hours. Not high end
light but does a decent job.

"Dean A. Stepper" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:jBbze.64534$go.6459@fed1read05...

Quoted message said:

"czb" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

i have never ridden at night. i have a race coming up that has a cut
off at the 80 mile marker that says if you are not at that point by a
certain hour and have no lights, you will not be allowed to continue
the race.

i had hoped to be in good enough shape to render lights a non-issue,
but recent rides have confirmed that i could actually be nearing that
mark too late, and would thus need lights. i do not want to have to
quit at 80 because i lack lights.

at the same time, i hate the idea of buying lights just for this.

so here's my question and any help would be welcomed and really
appreciated. there seems to be a range of lighting options. i need to
know if i need lights for my helmet and handlebars or just one or the
other. for this race in particular it would be to ensure completion of
the last 20 miles. the grade probably averages 6 percent on the last
20 miles and it's fairly technical (shenandoah). no gonzo, but tricky.

having never used nor worn lamps, and having done a little research on
this site and the web, i am looking for recommendations on good but not
too costly options and suggestions.

also as far as practicing with this stuff goes, how crazy is night
riding? i suppose it makes sense to put in some hours practicing with
the equipment. again, any help is appreciated.

At night it really helps to know the trail well. I do not use my light
during a full moon except under the canopy. When riding at night you can
not tell how deep the dips and holes are, they are just dark pools. The
rocks cast shadows that make the trail look allot more technical than it
is.

I prefer a light on my helmet and own an older Nite Rider Evolution, use
to get 2 hours run time, 3 years later getting about 1 1/2 hours. Not high
end light but does a decent job.

Dean, where do you ride around here that it's legal to ride at night. I've
been jonesing for some night rides but just don't know where it's legal
within our immediate area.

Thanks,

CG

"Chris Glidden" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:RVbze.15994$Qo.11811@fed1read01...

Quoted message said:

"Dean A. Stepper" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:jBbze.64534$go.6459@fed1read05...

Quoted message said:

"czb" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

i have never ridden at night. i have a race coming up that has a cut
off at the 80 mile marker that says if you are not at that point by a
certain hour and have no lights, you will not be allowed to continue
the race.

i had hoped to be in good enough shape to render lights a non-issue,
but recent rides have confirmed that i could actually be nearing that
mark too late, and would thus need lights. i do not want to have to
quit at 80 because i lack lights.

at the same time, i hate the idea of buying lights just for this.

so here's my question and any help would be welcomed and really
appreciated. there seems to be a range of lighting options. i need to
know if i need lights for my helmet and handlebars or just one or the
other. for this race in particular it would be to ensure completion of
the last 20 miles. the grade probably averages 6 percent on the last
20 miles and it's fairly technical (shenandoah). no gonzo, but tricky.

having never used nor worn lamps, and having done a little research on
this site and the web, i am looking for recommendations on good but not
too costly options and suggestions.

also as far as practicing with this stuff goes, how crazy is night
riding? i suppose it makes sense to put in some hours practicing with
the equipment. again, any help is appreciated.

At night it really helps to know the trail well. I do not use my light
during a full moon except under the canopy. When riding at night you can
not tell how deep the dips and holes are, they are just dark pools. The
rocks cast shadows that make the trail look allot more technical than it
is.

I prefer a light on my helmet and own an older Nite Rider Evolution, use
to get 2 hours run time, 3 years later getting about 1 1/2 hours. Not
high end light but does a decent job.

Dean, where do you ride around here that it's legal to ride at night.
I've been jonesing for some night rides but just don't know where it's
legal within our immediate area.

Thanks,

CG

My old neighbor was a Red Jacket (fire prevention volunteers that patrol
Laguna Wilderness Park, on foot and bike). I have contemplated volunteering
to get night riding privileges myself.

After work during the winner, I leave my house and climb up the fireroad at
the end of Dartmore Street; to Luna Peak, then over to Gate 15 (official
start of LWP). Not a long ride, 4-5 miles, but a good climb. Steady 10-18%
grade for a little over a mile. Great views Laguna Beach, Emerald and
Crescent Bays; plus views of the sun setting over the Catalina
Islands...most excellent...dissolves all the junk from the days work.

Also, Team Basso's weekly night ride...up Santiago Truck Trail, down the
Luge...some go on to Old Camp. Any trails the National Forest are legal at
night including San Juan Trail. Have done creepy Black Star Canyon a few
times night. I like night rides with a full moon high in the night sky.

"Dean A. Stepper" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:jBbze.64534$go.6459@fed1read05...

Quoted message said:

"czb" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

i have never ridden at night. i have a race coming up that has a cut
off at the 80 mile marker that says if you are not at that point by a
certain hour and have no lights, you will not be allowed to continue
the race.

i had hoped to be in good enough shape to render lights a non-issue,
but recent rides have confirmed that i could actually be nearing that
mark too late, and would thus need lights. i do not want to have to
quit at 80 because i lack lights.

at the same time, i hate the idea of buying lights just for this.

so here's my question and any help would be welcomed and really
appreciated. there seems to be a range of lighting options. i need to
know if i need lights for my helmet and handlebars or just one or the
other. for this race in particular it would be to ensure completion of
the last 20 miles. the grade probably averages 6 percent on the last
20 miles and it's fairly technical (shenandoah). no gonzo, but tricky.

having never used nor worn lamps, and having done a little research on
this site and the web, i am looking for recommendations on good but not
too costly options and suggestions.

also as far as practicing with this stuff goes, how crazy is night
riding? i suppose it makes sense to put in some hours practicing with
the equipment. again, any help is appreciated.

At night it really helps to know the trail well. I do not use my light
during a full moon except under the canopy. When riding at night you can

not

Quoted message said:

tell how deep the dips and holes are, they are just dark pools. The rocks
cast shadows that make the trail look allot more technical than it is.

I prefer a light on my helmet and own an older Nite Rider Evolution, use

to

Quoted message said:

get 2 hours run time, 3 years later getting about 1 1/2 hours. Not high

end

Quoted message said:

light but does a decent job.

I've got a positively ancient night sun which still lasts around 1 1/2 to 2
hours. It can be mounted on the helmet or the bars and having used it in
both places for 15 years I've come to like it better on the bars. It's much
easier to detect ditches with it mounted on the bars, especially at high
speeds. With a helmet mounted light the light shines right into the bottom
of the ditches washing everything out so you can't tell how deep they are.
For low speed techie stuff helmet mounted is better as you can see around
corners and over boulders.

Greg

Fine lighting yes but is it a clear night and or a full
moon these factors will help also.

I MTB 2004

05 makes 10 Mtbing

05 makes 10

05 makes 10

05 makes 10

05