HowardSteele Posted April 4, 2015 Posted April 4, 2015 We ride after 17h30 through winter so all the rides descending Tokai trails end up as night rides..The shortest days we need to turn on lights going up...when we started regular torches were ridiculously dim and the fancy bike lights just too expensive...We build our bike lights out of 12v down-lighters and powered them with small burger alarm batteries.these had a max burn time of around 30 min ...so any added time to ride or battery failure and we had very slow descents.new led lights are an absolute pleasure even on the low settings it's bright enough for motorists to flash you to dim your lights Getting getting to the tar section in front of the Tokai manor house and riding side by side oncoming cars flash you thinking you are a car...imagine their surprise when we split and one passes on the left and one on the right.
WillemT Posted April 16, 2015 Posted April 16, 2015 Did my first night ride some time back in '09. Looking for a bike light was a challenge because the new technology leds were not yet available in commercial lights and the ones that were available simply too expensive. Decided to build my own and after sourcing cree leds, lenses and driver from Australia started with the process. Testing my first light in Jonkershoek ( a 750 lumen cree light with 8deg lenses) at 11pm at night I only saw at the bottom that I reached a max speed of 76km/h. Tried the next day to do it in the light and chickened out at about 68km/h. I came to the conclusion that you're able to focus a lot more in the night. The light was plenty up to 60+ meters ahead but due to not being able to see the things next to you, you can focus on the road ahead and also I don't think you then get the same feeling of speed as you can't see the trees passing you at a rather fast rate. I then went ahead and build about 10 more of the lights for family and friends to give them some top performing bike lights for the time. Later upgraded to lithium packs for better energy to weight and easier charging etc... Was off the bike for quite some time now and just assembled a light last night from old spares to hopefully go and ride and Bloemendal tonight. Now just need the details... So anyone doing the night ride tonight at Bloemendal?? cheers
TCTG Posted April 16, 2015 Posted April 16, 2015 Did my first night ride some time back in '09. Looking for a bike light was a challenge because the new technology leds were not yet available in commercial lights and the ones that were available simply too expensive. Decided to build my own and after sourcing cree leds, lenses and driver from Australia started with the process. Testing my first light in Jonkershoek ( a 750 lumen cree light with 8deg lenses) at 11pm at night I only saw at the bottom that I reached a max speed of 76km/h. Tried the next day to do it in the light and chickened out at about 68km/h. I came to the conclusion that you're able to focus a lot more in the night. The light was plenty up to 60+ meters ahead but due to not being able to see the things next to you, you can focus on the road ahead and also I don't think you then get the same feeling of speed as you can't see the trees passing you at a rather fast rate. I then went ahead and build about 10 more of the lights for family and friends to give them some top performing bike lights for the time. Later upgraded to lithium packs for better energy to weight and easier charging etc... Was off the bike for quite some time now and just assembled a light last night from old spares to hopefully go and ride and Bloemendal tonight. Now just need the details... So anyone doing the night ride tonight at Bloemendal?? cheersMy thoughts are that you place yourself at unnecessary risk but then again i am not an experienced MTBiker. Night riding seem just too dangerous.
Amberdrake Posted April 16, 2015 Author Posted April 16, 2015 Guys at bloemendal start around 7 behind the pool they sorta congregate then go off when gets dark (might be earlier now). As for night riding is no more dangerous than me riding N2 between 8-10pm each night from R300 to S-West. Night riding will only be as dangerous as day riding. With the expectation of you adjusting to new limitations adequately.
Grey Hubs Posted April 16, 2015 Posted April 16, 2015 Anyone else doing an evening ride at Modderfontein tonight? I believe they are open to 10pm every Wednesday night?Modders at night is interesting...did 58km last night. Can feel the winter creeping in slowly when you hit the cold spots.Need to watch the rats and your front wheel - not much grip in the corners when the two meet suddenly Normally get a glimpse of a few predator birds swooping in on a kill (hope its the rats...). Only seen a large mole snake once. The reflection of a group on Zebra's eyes at night is something else. A great night ride, highly recommend.
extremelights Posted April 16, 2015 Posted April 16, 2015 Guys at bloemendal start around 7 behind the pool they sorta congregate then go off when gets dark (might be earlier now). As for night riding is no more dangerous than me riding N2 between 8-10pm each night from R300 to S-West. Night riding will only be as dangerous as day riding. With the expectation of you adjusting to new limitations adequately. I totally agree... the criminals of today dont care if its dark or not! But surely one feels safer in daytime but its so nice riding in the dark ! That note... i can feel the air getting cooler (this morning i knew its not long before long sleeves again)!
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