----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2007 6:33
PM
Subject: GCCMail: My recommendation
applied to Strays only
My comments on lights for night riding were intended for Strays, not
randonneurs. And they were not intended to be speculation about what may
be
reasonably priced in ten years. The light suggested is more than adequate
for
Strays rides lengths at night which are typically 2 hours or less, under
the
kinds of conditions Strays regularly ride.
As far as tail lights go, the farther you are seen the better. The
issue
for most drivers is figuring out what it is they are converging on,
and
having time to decide what to do with respect to it. It doesn't have
anything
to do with any absolute desire to run over cyclists. The issue with the
tail
light is the same issue as having a bright jersey in the daytime. The
time
between being seen and having to make a decision, is the
measure of safety.
If your light is too bright for the following riders, they can stay
out
of the line of fire, or a weaker backup light can
be used
when you aren't at the tail of the group. By the way, a bright tail light
can be seen on the road itself, so you can tell
that
it is working if you look in your mirror.
As far as redundancy, I can't argue with that, its a good idea, but
we do
have reflectors as a backup anyway (its the law).
My comments on the light requirements for Strays are not meant to be
universal to all cyclists. Strays are looking for inexpensive ways to be
safe,
while having fun riding at night, in our speed and distance range. The
light
suggested serves that function. There is a plethora of available
lights
and accessories available for night riding, at all different levels of
effectiveness and cost. If cost were not an issue, I would have an HID
system
with two beams, but cost is always an issue.
There must be a hundred plus web sites that discuss the relative
effectiveness of what is available to cyclists in the way of lights. The
issue
is what really works (reliable) and what is value (safety) for your
money. I would suggest that a whole new thread be started off the group
mail
for those that are interested in discussing the issue. Most people in the
club
have no interest in riding at night, so this information just clutters
their
inbox. If I had an absolute list of who is a Stray I would have sent my
original email only to them, but there is no such list.
And further comment here only muddies my clear recommendation to
fellow
Strays. As I said before, if someone knows of a light that is better, for
cheaper, for Strays rides, I will want to hear about it.
Not claiming to be any expert, just experienced at night
riding.
Rob Wilt