1st night time commute

[bikerHen]

Adding a helmetlight is NOT overkill. The more lights the better.

Reflective vests. I picked one up for less than $10. in the sporting good section of a local department store. It was labeled for runners and works fine for cycling. It's big enought to wear over my backpack and is VERY reflective. If you have a Harbour Freight Store in your area they have a nice selection of saftey vests and other reflective stuff at a really good price.

bikerHen

[indigoiis]

When I started my new job last December, it came with the requirement that I bicycle commute to at least the bus - 5 miles (an agreement made with DH in order to secure a new bicycle.) So I started bicycle commuting knowing that I would have to deal with darkness. I bought front and back lights, a hiker's headlamp from Ocean State Job Lot (which I strapped to an old helmet), and put reflective tape on my messenger bag and back of helmet. I got a free commuter velcro strap with reflector from our local DOT as part of a bike commuter program.

I wear hiking boots, black yoga pants over my bike shorts, a long underwear top, a wool sweater, and jacket. I wear a hat under the commuter helmet because it runs big anyway. I have two waterproof panniers from Nashbar - the basic model. They have two big reflective dots on the back.

I just now ordered a Pearl Izumi whisper jacket in high-viz yellow from Backcountrygear.com, and a new pair of full-finger gloves. To rationalize, I realized that it was the same price as a tank of gas - something I haven't bought in over four weeks. So yeah, I deserve it. Plus, cars will see me better.

I see better on my bike than through my windshield of my van. I like that when you turn your head (with a headlamp) your light goes with your eyes.

Keep commuting in the dark - you'll get used to the route and the darkness.

[Crankin]

I've been researching lights; probably won't do the dark ride this week, but shooting for next.

[newfsmith]

I am a major fan of headlights for 2 reasons: they make you more obvious to to traffic when you are at intersections, a couple looks right & left and you have had a chance to make sure drivers have seen you; and they let you see around corners. If you rely on a handlebar mounted light you are negotiating turns blind. It feels like you are riding into a black hole. It is easy to put a good LED headlight on a helmet. The Princeton Tec EOS or Petzl MYO XP are both easily adapted to a helmet. You do still need a handlebar light, both because it is required by law and it will give a longer reach. There are the bike dedicated lights, or you can use the Fenix LED flashlights

Night riding can be wonderful. One night a flying squirrel swooped from one side of the road to the other. Most nights would produce lots of reflective eye spots, I did get some photos I would not have gotten otherwise. Listening to the woodcock courting dives, mid-winter Great Horned Owl calls, even the coyote yips and howls make a night ride a special private show.

Unfortunately, the price of admission is spending almost as much time getting ready as you do riding.

[bikerHen]

+1 on a helmet light. I like to shine my light at cars waiting on cross streets. Just a quick flash to let them know I'm approaching. Works everytime.
Helmet light + bar mounted light = great visibilty! I love having a light that shines where I'm looking. bikerHen

[Crankin]

When I came home from class last night my husband surprised me with a Night Rider light! It's not on my bike yet, but I tested it on my deck, at 9 PM.
It lit up the whole woods. I will be trying it out Monday night. I am also going to keep the other light on there, for a back up.

[tattiefritter]

I also have a helmet mounted light and another light on my bars. I set the bar light to flashing mode as an attention grabber and the one on my helmet is good for actually seeing, laser beaming daft drivers etc.


I bought the helmet light for night mountain biking to supplement my old HID light and it has a pretty good light beam - my OH has done an entire technical offroad MTB ride using just the helmet light. My new HID is making it a bit redundant for offroad though.

I have one of these:

http://www.use1.com/exposure/product...2009/index.php

The mount is fantastic and can be pointed wherever and the Li-Ion battery is part of the light so no trailing wires. It has a three hour burn time on full whack so doesn't need recharging every five minutes.