Lighting recommendations needed

[SadieKate]

How long are these tunnels and are they open to cars? Are you more worried with being seen than you seeing?

A Cateye EL530 with a Cateye LD1000 tailight (because of the good side views) might be all you really need. Maybe have a few reflective arm bands if you're worried about being seen.

If you are thinking at all about night riding, I'd consider the Nite Rider MiNewt, single or double headlamp. Incredible amount of light for not much weight. If I didn't already have the EL530 for the odd times like you describe, I'd get the MiNewt. It is definitely more expensive but far more versatile.

[TsPoet]

I really like my Dinotte 5w - it's LED and uses AA batteries - so it's easy to just carry batteries and change them out. I really like not having the big water bottle battery and the versatility, the light is tiny and just straps onto your handlebars (or in my case my dir hanger). I also like the price, at ~$150, it's a relatively cheap light that you can see by.
They also have a new and improved, but expensive, light, so maybe the 5w will drop in price some.

[indysteel]

How long are these tunnels and are they open to cars? Are you more worried with being seen than you seeing?

A Cateye EL530 with a Cateye LD1000 tailight (because of the good side views) might be all you really need. Maybe have a few reflective arm bands if you're worried about being seen.

If you are thinking at all about night riding, I'd consider the Nite Rider MiNewt, single or double headlamp. Incredible amount of light for not much weight. If I didn't already have the EL530 for the odd times like you describe, I'd get the MiNewt. It is definitely more expensive but far more versatile.

SadieKate, the tunnels are open to cars (although no commercial traffic), so I'm worried about both. I'm trying to find out how long they generally are. I would note that I read on www.roadbikereview.com that you have to lights on your bike to ride on the Parkway. I'm trying to find that from some official source though. There's so much stuff out there on the Parkway; I'm having trouble wading through all of it.

By the way, any decision yet on your new bike?

[FreshNewbie]

Indysteel, don't have recommendation about lights but wanted to say that I also read that article in the magazine and wished I could do it

[indysteel]

Indysteel, don't have recommendation about lights but wanted to say that I also read that article in the magazine and wished I could do it

FreshNewbie, be sure to check out the website for the tour company. They have other offerings, many of which sound really great--and not as hard. And did I mention the the eye candy.....

[FreshNewbie]

Lookinga at it right now, everything looks so good makes me wanna ride but it s cold and windy in NY today Oyy veyyy

[Fredwina]

I did a 300K with about 4+ hours of night riding (i am pokey ) using dual Cateye EL-500(previous gen. of the EL-530) and two Cateye TD-L600s as taillights. I got some very postive comments about the amount of light I was putting out.

[indysteel]

Ugh. I've been reading various posts on roadbikereview.com about HID lighting systems interfering with wireless computers. Granted, safety is WAY more important than keeping track of my mileage, but it's just got me more confused. As I was reading the posts about the more advanced lighting systems, I started daydreaming about doing some night riding, but given the other safety concerns involved, I'm not sure that ever would. At least not alone. It would be pretty cool (and peacefu) though. So, I'm having trouble deciding what I really need.....

I'll look at all of your suggestions and keep reading for now.

[Blueberry]

Here's a link with the tunnel distances: http://www.virtualblueridge.com/park...al/tunnels.asp

They are generally not on steep sections of the road, so I would not worry *so* much about seeing. You can go slowly since they're not that long. I would invest more in rear blinkey lights. One of the better Cateye LED lights should get you through fine!

Hopefully some of the Asheville gals will chime in - there are several on the boards....

Enjoy yourself - it's fun riding, but it will bust your rear end if you're not in good shape (ahem - been there, done that). The other consideration is that traffic on the parkway is really heavy on holiday weekends.

Carrie Anne