Had a [censored] of a day at work, and after munching on last nights
leftover pizza I decided it was time to go out for a ride and test my
new light, the cateye HL-EL300. I've only recently come back to
cycling after riding everywhere on my racer up till my early twenties.
That was ten years ago, a lot has changed!
Living in Chiswick I decided to pop down through Hammersmith and over
the bridge to the track running alongside the south side of the
Thames. I left home just before midnight, and cycling along I noticed
a few 'older' gents riding along on unlit bikes. Strange, I thought,
that they would be riding at night along an unlit track that is
basically pitch black in places. I rode to the end and turned into the
smaller backtrack on the right just before you reach the end of the
gravel track. I almost shat myself when I nearly rode into another
middle aged fellow who was walking out of the side track at the same
time I turned into it.
I ditched the idea of the backtrack and rode back along until I
reached the cycle route that leads to Richmond Park. Along the way I
swore I saw at least two more gents in different places almost trying
to blend into the bushes at the side of the path.
So, have I stumbled into a Hampstead Heath type arrangement? Has
anyone else come across this or am I just being a paraniod homophobic
type?
Anyway, rode down to Richmond Park and sat looking at the stars for 20
mins or so. The clouds blew away and it was a fantastic view. Very
calm, very tranquil.
Of course being a muppet as I was riding along one of the roads I was
looking off to the right and next thing found myself ass over [censored] as I
veered off the road. Thankfully it was the softest crash I have ever
had, complete with a 2 1/2 somersault along the ground as it sloped
away from the road. Could have been much worse, as that section has
those mini logs sticking up on the side of the road and landing on one
of those would have been a touch unpleasant.
And the light? Not really impressed. I was only on the bike for 3
hours and by the time I got back home I noticed a distinct drop in
brightness. Coming back along the Thames track I really had to
concentrate so I didn't have another prang. I think I'll go back and
read some older threads on recommended off road lights, this light
unfortunately just doesn't cut the mustard.