Knight Riding in Park City

[Long Duck Dong]

I'm heading up tonight with a coupla buddies to ride Spin Cycle in the dark (we bring bike lamps) if anyone is interested. Even if you aren't in for tonight, lemme know if the idea interests you and next time I go I'll give you a shout. Night riding has got its own interesting feel, and while it isn't as flowy and fast as day riding, its got kindof a spooky feel to it. You also usually encounter a lot more interesting wildlife. Wildlife in leather pants with tons of chest hair.

[Rontele]

I would post a follow up message with my David Hasselhoff alias, but I am too lazy.

[shmoesmith]

what time are you guys meeting up? Where is spinn cycle?

[Long Duck Dong]

Anyone who would like to come, but doesn't know where Spin Cycle is, we're meeting at the main lower Deer Valley lot (Snow Park Lodge) at 9:00 pm. Make sure to bring your bike lamp. And bear spray. And crushed velvet leisure suit.

[Lynx]

i'm out for tonight but would be interested in going another time if you don't mind a chick tagging along. i haven't used my light once since i moved to utah. it's so sad and neglected. i bet it cries when i'm not looking.

[altagirl]

I would go, but don't own lights.

I guess I could duct tape a big mag light to the top of my helmet or something... or not.

Does sound fun though.

[Long Duck Dong]

Sounds good Re. I'll post in this thread the next time I'm planning one.

AG I have a bunch of headlamps that would fit over your helmet, but they are backpacking lamps. Not sure if they would provide enough light. Sure would be interesting to find out the hard way on one of those switchbacks that they don't. . .

[utsnowgirl]

I'd be down, but I don't really have lights that I trust...

J McGyver'd some for me for 24 hrs of Moab out of some old BD headlamps. He said they might blow up while I ride. I survived that time, but not sure if I trust them.

We have to invest in real bike lights soon.

[altagirl]

Sounds good Re. I'll post in this thread the next time I'm planning one.

AG I have a bunch of headlamps that would fit over your helmet, but they are backpacking lamps. Not sure if they would provide enough light. Sure would be interesting to find out the hard way on one of those switchbacks that they don't. . .

Heh. Yeah, I guess I do own a headlamp, I just don't know that a couple of LED lights would cut it...

And actually, tonight I'm going to be up in PC at 5:30, so I figured I'd get in a ride around 6:30. I don't know that I want to spend that long waiting for the sun to go down to ride tonight when I have to get up for work in the morning.

You do have me thinking that I should invest in some decent lights though.

[shmoesmith]

Common magettes, get those backpacking headlamps out, get those mini mags out, and get your duct tape ready. This is the stuff that makes a TGR adventure. hell, go to smiths and pick up a $2 flashlight and tape the sucker to your handle bar

[homerjay]

Common magettes, get those backpacking headlamps out, get those mini mags out, and get your duct tape ready. This is the stuff that makes a TGR adventure. hell, go to smiths and pick up a $2 flashlight and tape the sucker to your handle bar

I hope you're joking, night riding without real lights is difficult at best, stupid at worst. Also, if you've never ridden the trail they're riding, you may want to ride it during the day before you duct tape your $2 flashlight and make LDD and his buddies wait for your ass all night.

[shmoesmith]

I hope you're joking, night riding without real lights is difficult at best, stupid at worst. Also, if you've never ridden the trail they're riding, you may want to ride it during the day before you duct tape your $2 flashlight and make LDD and his buddies wait for your ass all night.

And what makes a light a 'real' light? Tell ya what, I've been doing caving for years and have spent hundreds of hours underground and have done hours of education about proper lighting (which can really get you fucked in a cave compared to out on a trail)....That said, I have tried MANY different headlamps for caving and camping and riding, as well as lights like mini-mags, and have had numerous bike-specific lights. Guess what? in most cases, the bike specific lights were no better than the headlamps or mini-mags infact, in several cases, they were worse..

The reason comes down to the lighting source. Most bike-specific lights now use LED technology. MOST of the LED technology is weak at best compared to a good halogen bulb in a regular flashlight. The only LED light that I have found that even comes close is the Petzl Myo XP (about a $70 lamp i use in caves) and even that doesnt have the power of my Petzl headlamp that uses a halogen bulb.

Regardless, if you are going to bike at night, you should probably have something on both your handlebars AND your head. The only real issue is probably the ability of the lightsource to handle shock from your handlebars if you dont have it attached very well. If I go out tonight, I will have both a my bike-specific light on my handlebars and a headlamp(probably the Myo XP for weight and comfort reasons)...

[slippy]

And what makes a light a 'real' light? Tell ya what, I've been doing caving for years and have spent hundreds of hours underground and have done hours of education about proper lighting (which can really get you fucked in a cave compared to out on a trail)....That said, I have tried MANY different headlamps for caving and camping and riding, as well as lights like mini-mags, and have had numerous bike-specific lights. Guess what? in most cases, the bike specific lights were no better than the headlamps or mini-mags infact, in several cases, they were worse.

Bike specific lights are for riding pavement, not trails. You need more than your average bike light for off-road night riding.

[Big Blue]

The reason comes down to the lighting source. Most bike-specific lights now use LED technology. MOST of the LED technology is weak at best compared to a good halogen bulb in a regular flashlight.

You're talking about the $20 lights that are for commuters to be seen by cars. He's talking about the $250-400 lights that are brighter than car headlights. Big difference. HID instead of LED.

[Long Duck Dong]

Also, if you've never ridden the trail they're riding, you may want to ride it during the day

Dude, the Spin Cycle is about as straightforward as trails get.

In all seriousness, I have played around with a lot of light options. The LED backpacking headlamps (BD, Petzl, Princeton Tec) are pretty worthless (for mountain biking). I have the base level NR Trail Rat 2.0 that runs about $80, and its barely enough for night trail riding. But hey, if you have enough lamps and duct tape, and are comfortable giving it a go, then bring that shit on.

[Lynx]

a real light:





(and two lights are completely unneccessary if you've got the right one on your head....but thats just one girl's experience)

[shmoesmith]

You're talking about the $20 lights that are for commuters to be seen by cars. He's talking about the $250-400 lights that are brighter than car headlights. Big difference. HID instead of LED.

Ah, now THAT would make a big difference. I didnt even think about HID because the only lights I see sold around here are the LED ones in the $20-$100 range. Looks like I wont be able to go anyway . Looks like I'm going to be stuck covering a newbie's client meeting tonight until 9:00 to make sure the company doesnt get into any legal trouble from the newbie saying something that could get us sued.

[homerjay]

And what makes a light a 'real' light? Tell ya what, I've been doing caving for years and have spent hundreds of hours underground and have done hours of education about proper lighting (which can really get you fucked in a cave compared to out on a trail)....That said, I have tried MANY different headlamps for caving and camping and riding, as well as lights like mini-mags, and have had numerous bike-specific lights. Guess what? in most cases, the bike specific lights were no better than the headlamps or mini-mags infact, in several cases, they were worse..

How fast are you going when you're crawling through a cave? The more you talk, the more of a complete fucktard you sound like.

[phatfreeheeler]

The more you talk, the more of a complete fucktard you sound like.

Thank you for saying what we are all thinking

[Lynx]

We have to invest in real bike lights soon.

You do have me thinking that I should invest in some decent lights though.

YES. Both of you! DOOOO IT!

[rideit]

Sorry, shmoesmith, but you are revealing yourself as an utter blowhard JONG on this one. but you seem to already have sensed that.
Nightriding is a whole 'nother beast, light requirement-wise.

[Andy_B]

Sorry, shmoesmith, but you are revealing yourself as an utter blowhard JONG on this one. but you seem to already have sensed that.
Nightriding is a whole 'nother beast, light requirement-wise.

^^^ That's what I was thinking to. In all the 12/24 hours I have done, I always have a one HID attached to the bars and halogen up top.

[tradygirl]

YES. Both of you! DOOOO IT!

Lynx-

How much $$ are we talking? I've been wanting to get set up for night-riding for a while now, but the lights are pricey. Do you like the one you're using right now?

[homerjay]

Lynx-

How much $$ are we talking? I've been wanting to get set up for night-riding for a while now, but the lights are pricey. Do you like the one you're using right now?

Can we please get back to the business of berating shmoesmith? Thanks.

[Lynx]

Lynx-

How much $$ are we talking? I've been wanting to get set up for night-riding for a while now, but the lights are pricey. Do you like the one you're using right now?

I LOVE my light. I have niterider storm 2.0. it's about 4-ish years old now, and i think the Firestorm has replaced it in Niterider's line up. But i found my older version online for 300 (i'm pretty sure it used to retail for well over 400, but i got hooked up, and i totally dont remember) here is the one i found: http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/138...-HID-Light.htm

The newer firestorm is retailing for WELL over 400.

I'm not familar with other light systems. My roomate bought one from REI last year or so, but im not sure she's actually used it yet. She did mention something about thinking her light was better for riding in sand. But I know from that 24 hour race I did a wile ago in canada that the nite rider was hands down the brightest thing out there. hope thats helps! let me know if you take the plunge!