I reach a new low...
Mar. 4th, 2005 08:13 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
johnridleyThe thermometer on my bike comp read zero degrees F for several miles of my ride today. That's well below my previous low riding temp of about 10*F.
My big toes got a little cold, but nowhere near danger, and other than that no problem in the same stuff I've been wearing; poly base, compression tights, a light windbreaker layer and a poly balaclava. I did drape a fleece scarf across my front given the low temp. I was surprised that after warming up, the Dickies "mechanics gloves" that I picked up a few weeks ago were more than warm enough. I thought I'd have to switch to fleece in midride, but the Dickies are tighter and so are better on the controls so I'd rather stay in them.
Also, today was my first ride with a 1W LED headlight (Planet Bike SuperSpot). Short review: Enough light to ride by on normal pavement without additional light (no streetlights), and 30 hours on 4xAA batteries is sweet (NOTE: 30 hours is what THEY claim; I can't say yet). Certainly good as a "be seen" light so it would be a great choice as an urban commuter light. Not really quite as much light as I'd like on bad roads, particularly potholed gravel, but I could live with it. Unclips from the bar easily while parked if you're worried about theft.
Their claim of "same light as a 10W halogen" didn't quite pan out; I tried both side-by-side in the garage last night. It's not as bright in general, but the spot beam is about as bright. It has a complex pattern formed by the lens, with a flattened spot beam projecting outward, and less strong bands of light on the perephery. So in a way it's kind of equivalent, the 10W puts out more light but washes it all over, the SuperSpot concentrates less light mostly ahead, with some to the side.
Anyway, I do plan on using it as my primary light, though I'm not taking the halogen off just yet. I did use the halogen (20W) on the gravel road; the washboards were wicked this morning and I wanted all the light I could get to see them.
This would be a fine headlight for summer touring; "in case of flat and you're coming in late" - as it can easily be unclipped and used as a flashlight which will run a long time.
My big toes got a little cold, but nowhere near danger, and other than that no problem in the same stuff I've been wearing; poly base, compression tights, a light windbreaker layer and a poly balaclava. I did drape a fleece scarf across my front given the low temp. I was surprised that after warming up, the Dickies "mechanics gloves" that I picked up a few weeks ago were more than warm enough. I thought I'd have to switch to fleece in midride, but the Dickies are tighter and so are better on the controls so I'd rather stay in them.
Also, today was my first ride with a 1W LED headlight (Planet Bike SuperSpot). Short review: Enough light to ride by on normal pavement without additional light (no streetlights), and 30 hours on 4xAA batteries is sweet (NOTE: 30 hours is what THEY claim; I can't say yet). Certainly good as a "be seen" light so it would be a great choice as an urban commuter light. Not really quite as much light as I'd like on bad roads, particularly potholed gravel, but I could live with it. Unclips from the bar easily while parked if you're worried about theft.
Their claim of "same light as a 10W halogen" didn't quite pan out; I tried both side-by-side in the garage last night. It's not as bright in general, but the spot beam is about as bright. It has a complex pattern formed by the lens, with a flattened spot beam projecting outward, and less strong bands of light on the perephery. So in a way it's kind of equivalent, the 10W puts out more light but washes it all over, the SuperSpot concentrates less light mostly ahead, with some to the side.
Anyway, I do plan on using it as my primary light, though I'm not taking the halogen off just yet. I did use the halogen (20W) on the gravel road; the washboards were wicked this morning and I wanted all the light I could get to see them.
This would be a fine headlight for summer touring; "in case of flat and you're coming in late" - as it can easily be unclipped and used as a flashlight which will run a long time.
