Lights! Lights! Action! (No camera needed!)

[owlice]

Though I've been strictly a daylight rider, I now need lights for my bike for two reasons: the Paw-Paw Tunnel, and a fundraising ride that will have me out after dark (assuming my parole officer agrees :D ).

As I'm cheap/part Scottish/mother of a college kid thrifty, I am not willing to spend wads o' dough on these. (I've seen some lights that rival the cost of my bike -- yikes!!)

So far, I am thinking of getting the following two lights:

Planet Bike 3044 Blaze 1-Watt LED Headlight
Planet Bike Sport Spot 4 LED Bicycle Light with Head, and Handlebar Mounts

Both together are $70 from Amazon. Having the two gives me some versatility, the lighting was okay (using the Planet Bike light guide), and at my slow speeds, I doubt I'll override the light output.

(Geez, it's hard to type with this cat in my lap.....!)

(And he's shedding all over the laptop...!)

What's my best bet for an inexpensive but effective tail light? I don't plan to ride in traffic (nor play in traffic, despite many invitations to do so), but have to have one for the fundraising ride (on a traffic-less loop). Do I need to worry too much about what I get, or can I just go with the cheapest one I can find?

Please enlighten me; thank you!

[Kalidurga]

Believe it or not, it's easier to walk through the Paw Paw tunnel with no light. With a light, all you can see is what's within the beam. And even with a light, it's not advisable to ride through the tunnel because the path is narrow, uneven, and can be puddly. Just walk your bike through and look about 10-15 feet ahead of you, below the spot of sunlight coming through the entrance at the far end. Before you know it, your eyes will adjust to the darkness and you'll be able to see much more around you than you might expect.

And that's all the advice I can give on this topic. I'm sure other folks will have lots of suggestions for riding after sunset.

[out_spokin']

While there are plenty that are VERY good, almost all I've seen are plenty good enough for what you're talking about. Just get one from a reputable manufacturer (planet bike, cateye, nite rider, etc. -- mostly because you'll be sure to get decent mounting hardware) from your LBS or lump it in with your Amazon order and you'll be good to go for at or under $10. If you're deciding between any two go with the one that can either mount on your seatpost or switch for a clip that allows you to put on your clothing or a bag -- they're really versatile that way for future use (walking, commuting at night, whatever!) Oh, and get one that takes normal batteries, don't mess around with off-size deals. Hey, Amazon's got the NiteRider TL 5.0 for under $7.19. I'd jump on that...

[msincredible]

Planet Bike Superflash.

I have gotten compliments from drivers on my visibility with it.

[owlice]

Thanks, all!

msincredible, you must have sent me a telepathic message, for when I went to the bike shop to pick up my newly-tuned riding machine last night, I bought a Superflash. Wow, is that thing bright!! Almost scary, that! Same price as at Amazon. Not the least expensive thing out there, but who knows? Maybe I'll start riding after sunset/before sunrise. (heh heh heh... "before sunrise"... yeah, right! ;) )

Kalidurga, lightless in the tunnel?? :eek: :eek: :eek: One thing I learned the one time I took my kid camping: you're never too old to be afraid of the dark!! (Other things I learned include don't pound tent stakes all the way in, and suspend bad word fines when putting up and taking down a tent. Oh, I learned so much that trip!!)

I'll have to see about walking through without lights... (I'm such a coward!)

[Kalidurga]

Kalidurga, lightless in the tunnel?? :eek: :eek: :eek: One thing I learned the one time I took my kid camping: you're never too old to be afraid of the dark!! (Other things I learned include don't pound tent stakes all the way in, and suspend bad word fines when putting up and taking down a tent. Oh, I learned so much that trip!!)

I'll have to see about walking through without lights... (I'm such a coward!)

It's really not that bad. I honestly feel more comfortable in there once my eyes have adjusted to the dark than I do with a flashlight. You really can see much more than you would expect. Being able to see only a small area and then absolutely nothing is much freakier to me.

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z163/KaliDurga/Cumberland_2007-09/004-b.jpg

I once had to walk through Savage Tunnel on the Greater Allegheny Trail when the lights weren't working. It was overcast that day so very little outside light entered the tunnel and I kept imagining the huge doors on either end of the tunnel suddenly swinging shut. That was scary.

http://www.midatlanticimages.com/images/gapt10_savagetunnel-black.jpg

See? Big difference.

[msincredible]

msincredible, you must have sent me a telepathic message, for when I went to the bike shop to pick up my newly-tuned riding machine last night, I bought a Superflash. Wow, is that thing bright!! Almost scary, that! Same price as at Amazon. Not the least expensive thing out there, but who knows? Maybe I'll start riding after sunset/before sunrise. (heh heh heh... "before sunrise"... yeah, right! ;) )

Nice, glad it worked out! :)