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BIKEPACKING FOLKS - TELL ME ABOUT LIGHTING

Equipment
roadbiketrevor March 30, 2022, 4:37pm 1

I signed up for a bikepacking race but I have no experience riding in the
dark/at night. Those of you who do a lot of dark riding, please share your
headlight/battery setups and recommendations!



grawp March 30, 2022, 4:43pm 2

Personally in summer I like to stop when it gets dark and sleep until sunrise.
That still gives about 16hrs on the bike at least which is plenty enough for me!
I do carry a light, a Hope R4 with a 6 cell battery pack because sometimes you
just want to keep riding into the night if it’s beautiful out there.

1 Like

grawp March 30, 2022, 4:45pm 3

I’ve got another bike with an Exposure strada on it. I can run it off any usb
power bank type battery which is nice and cheap.

2 Likes

bobw March 30, 2022, 5:28pm 4

For multi-day races/events you probably aren’t riding that much in the dark but
it does depend on the time of year and location - midsummer in northern Scotland
or Scandinavia and there’s not much actual proper darkness. You might also ride
more in the dark on a shorter event as you are more likely to “ride through”
than bivy.

As examples:I did the Highland Trail 550 (miles) a few years ago taking just
over five days and used less than 50% of a fully charged Exposure Joystick which
included riding through the final night. Last November I did the BB200 (that’s
200km) and used all the charge in one Joystick, half that in another and about
half the charge from a 4-cell pack running a Hope Vision 2 light.

The Joystick was helmet mounted with the Hope on the bars. What you generally
want is a wide beam light on the bars with a more “spotty” light on the helmet
so you can pick things out.

Whatever you go for, don’t just stick the light on max power and hope for the
best, you need to manage things - no need for full power when heading uphill or
if you have to do some hike-a-bike - doing this you can really eke things out.

What’s the race/event?



roadbiketrevor March 30, 2022, 5:35pm 5

bobw:

> What’s the race/event?

I’m doing the 2 day, 250 mile option for this

BikeReg.com


GRAVEL RIDE UP SPRUCE KNOB (GRUSK) GRAN FONDO ONLINE REGISTRATION

BikeReg - online cycling event registration




so I intend (hopefully!) to ride late into the night and really try to minimize
sleep, since it’s only one night.



TheReasberry March 31, 2022, 1:01am 6

I really recommend these lights, they’re the perfect brightness, and the battery
life when mounted to a handle bar is amazing. I used these for a Kokopelli Trail
ride through the night (long story), and the battery lasted for over 10hrs on
low.

Bright Eyes Products


1600 LUMEN HELIOS RECHARGEABLE BICYCLE LIGHT SET

GoPro Style Mounting kits available. CLICK HERE UPDATED LIGHT! This light is
bright! With an output of up to 1600 lumens, this 6400mAh Lithium Ion
rechargeable battery powered CREE LED headlight will never leave you in the
dark! Light Set...

Price: USD 61.99





rkoswald March 31, 2022, 1:32am 7

There are several light threads below. Also, I’ve heard some several people that
ride at night to have two lights - one on your handlebars and another on your
helmet.


Best Head Light for the $ Equipment

> Hi Folks, with the seasons changing, I want to continue riding in the
> evenings. I used to ride in the evenings a few years ago, and used one of
> those Nyte Rider head lights that were charged by means of a bottle-sized
> battery (yes I’m old). Nowadays the lights are much better. Been looking at
> Lezyne head lights, but am a bit overwhelmed with choices from a variety of
> manufacturers. I’ll be using the light a few times a week, for no longer than
> 90mins at a pop, primarily on the road. So I’ll n…


Headlight recommendations Equipment

> Can anyone recommend a headlight? I want it to attached underneath a Garmin
> out front mount - so either quarter turn or go pro compatible. Must have
> excellent battery life and a good light beam. I will primarily use this for
> road but could double up for trails. I would generally use it at dawn/dusk and
> therefore no night riding. I don’t need ANT+ capabilities. I have tried the
> Garmin UT800 but the battery life sucks. I am open to other options.


Lights for Long Road Descent at Night Equipment

> Hi there i just signed up for a climb up Mt Wilson and a descent after
> sunset(down) I don’t presently have a powerful nighttime light - i have a
> Garmin Varia Light in the rear but am looking for advice on a powerful light
> to descend with confidence. I am not the most confident descender to start
> with so the more visibility the better - i know in the AACC this has been
> discussed but i think the lights they recommend are not made anymore … many
> thanks in advance - aiming to spend less than $10…



mcalista March 31, 2022, 2:30am 8

You should definitely be using 2 lights. While LED lights are far more reliable,
powerful and economical than lights of a few years ago, mounts still fail, the
light you got a couple of years ago that used to last 5 hours now only lasts 4,
etc.

And if you think that your night riding time (allowing for possible mechanicals,
having to turn your lights on early due to overcast conditions, etc) will exceed
the battery time of even 1 of your lights, you should carry 3 (or a spare
battery if this is feasible).

A helmet light can be a good secondary light - can be useful to pick out road
signs, or looking into a corner before you enter it.

I agree with the suggestion of managing the brightness too. As a rough guide for
road riding, I use about 250 lumens climbing, about 500 lumens on the flats, and
1000 lumens when descending.

Think about the placement of any front bag, and how compatible this might be
with your lighting. While many roadies like using a GoPro style light mount
under their out-front computer mount, this is not going to work with a handlebar
bag. Also think of the shape of your handlebars - round clamp light mounts used
to be common, which may not fit on non-round aerobars - although rubber band
mounts are more common now, which suit a wider range of bar shapes.

As batteries become larger to support brighter lights with longer run times,
they become too top heavy for a single bar mount. If you want to run significant
brightness over 3 hours, you are probably starting to think about 2 piece
systems with an external battery pack. I use a Gemini Duo, with the battery pack
on a velcro strap on the down tube (I duct tape the frame where it is likely to
rub). But there are many great alternatives.

2 Likes

SirDAN April 1, 2022, 1:01pm 9

Bike lights is akin to the N+1 for bikes, you never have the only correct light.

I have done a 500k (11000vm) single stage in 35 hours with a dynamo set up, for
both light and charging of power to bank for other chargeables, to a 1000 miler
5 days 9 hours, with no dynamo as resting up every 19-20 for 4 hours allowing
charging of lights and bits at the places of rest, among other rides of 1400km
bikepacking over 12 days, 5 & 7 day tours, to a weekly 40km ride we do from 6pm
into the evening.

I do agree that a minium of two lights is essential, 3 is best practice.

A main bike light can be dynamo set up (I use the K-Lite with USB charger), or a
stand alone light (I use Exposure Toro MK12, the MK13 is bigger and brighter but
not always needed, I also use the Extreme Lights Baviaans edition with a
rechargebale battery, use of either is dependent upon the
race/event/trip/logistics).

A helmet light is sensible to have and use, allows for a host of cases where a
bike light is not always practicable. I use the Exposure Joystick (this can be
used as a main bike light but dependent upon the use case circumstances).

A third light I use is the Petzel Actik Core, as a back up light or spare light
when the others are not practical to use.

Management of the modes of the various lights is an on-going effort, there are
times when a brighter or dimmer mode is ‘better’ and is all use case dependent.

Don’t forget blinker lights for the bike, rear I use Exposure Blaze MK1 and
upfront, have various el cheapo blinker lights.

Know your realistic ability for the race and then include a 15% time deficit for
potential issues and factor in that time for battery usage, if you have no means
of charging on the ride. A 250 mile ride can be done with one night of riding,
again dependent upon factors of start time of event, your goal time to finish,
lights being used and many more.

I do recommend you go ride at night, not only to get used to how things work in
the dark, but also a mental training knowing you are out in the cold, lonely air
whilst you could be sleeping and yet you need to be in the saddle for a few
hours. Make the uncomfortable comfortable.



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BIKEPACKING FOLKS - TELL ME ABOUT LIGHTING

Equipment


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roadbiketrevor
Mar '22


I signed up for a bikepacking race but I have no experience riding in the
dark/at night. Those of you who do a lot of dark riding, please share your
headlight/battery setups and recommendations!





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grawp
Mar '22


Personally in summer I like to stop when it gets dark and sleep until sunrise.
That still gives about 16hrs on the bike at least which is plenty enough for me!
I do carry a light, a Hope R4 with a 6 cell battery pack because sometimes you
just want to keep riding into the night if it’s beautiful out there.

1



grawp
Mar '22


I’ve got another bike with an Exposure strada on it. I can run it off any usb
power bank type battery which is nice and cheap.

2



bobw
Mar '22


For multi-day races/events you probably aren’t riding that much in the dark but
it does depend on the time of year and location - midsummer in northern Scotland
or Scandinavia and there’s not much actual proper darkness. You might also ride
more in the dark on a shorter event as you are more likely to “ride through”
than bivy.

As examples:I did the Highland Trail 550 (miles) a few years ago taking just
over five days and used less than 50% of a fully charged Exposure Joystick which
included riding through the final night. Last November I did the BB200 (that’s
200km) and used all the charge in one Joystick, half that in another and about
half the charge from a 4-cell pack running a Hope Vision 2 light.

The Joystick was helmet mounted with the Hope on the bars. What you generally
want is a wide beam light on the bars with a more “spotty” light on the helmet
so you can pick things out.

Whatever you go for, don’t just stick the light on max power and hope for the
best, you need to manage things - no need for full power when heading uphill or
if you have to do some hike-a-bike - doing this you can really eke things out.

What’s the race/event?





roadbiketrevor
Mar '22


bobw:

> What’s the race/event?

I’m doing the 2 day, 250 mile option for this

BikeReg.com


GRAVEL RIDE UP SPRUCE KNOB (GRUSK) GRAN FONDO ONLINE REGISTRATION 9

BikeReg - online cycling event registration




so I intend (hopefully!) to ride late into the night and really try to minimize
sleep, since it’s only one night.





TheReasberry
Mar '22


I really recommend these lights, they’re the perfect brightness, and the battery
life when mounted to a handle bar is amazing. I used these for a Kokopelli Trail
ride through the night (long story), and the battery lasted for over 10hrs on
low.

Bright Eyes Products


1600 LUMEN HELIOS RECHARGEABLE BICYCLE LIGHT SET 11

GoPro Style Mounting kits available. CLICK HERE UPDATED LIGHT! This light is
bright! With an output of up to 1600 lumens, this 6400mAh Lithium Ion
rechargeable battery powered CREE LED headlight will never leave you in the
dark! Light Set...

Price: USD 61.99







rkoswald
Mar '22


There are several light threads below. Also, I’ve heard some several people that
ride at night to have two lights - one on your handlebars and another on your
helmet.


Best Head Light for the $ Equipment

> Hi Folks, with the seasons changing, I want to continue riding in the
> evenings. I used to ride in the evenings a few years ago, and used one of
> those Nyte Rider head lights that were charged by means of a bottle-sized
> battery (yes I’m old). Nowadays the lights are much better. Been looking at
> Lezyne head lights, but am a bit overwhelmed with choices from a variety of
> manufacturers. I’ll be using the light a few times a week, for no longer than
> 90mins at a pop, primarily on the road. So I’ll n…


Headlight recommendations Equipment

> Can anyone recommend a headlight? I want it to attached underneath a Garmin
> out front mount - so either quarter turn or go pro compatible. Must have
> excellent battery life and a good light beam. I will primarily use this for
> road but could double up for trails. I would generally use it at dawn/dusk and
> therefore no night riding. I don’t need ANT+ capabilities. I have tried the
> Garmin UT800 but the battery life sucks. I am open to other options.


Lights for Long Road Descent at Night Equipment

> Hi there i just signed up for a climb up Mt Wilson and a descent after
> sunset(down) I don’t presently have a powerful nighttime light - i have a
> Garmin Varia Light in the rear but am looking for advice on a powerful light
> to descend with confidence. I am not the most confident descender to start
> with so the more visibility the better - i know in the AACC this has been
> discussed but i think the lights they recommend are not made anymore … many
> thanks in advance - aiming to spend less than $10…





mcalista
Mar '22


You should definitely be using 2 lights. While LED lights are far more reliable,
powerful and economical than lights of a few years ago, mounts still fail, the
light you got a couple of years ago that used to last 5 hours now only lasts 4,
etc.

And if you think that your night riding time (allowing for possible mechanicals,
having to turn your lights on early due to overcast conditions, etc) will exceed
the battery time of even 1 of your lights, you should carry 3 (or a spare
battery if this is feasible).

A helmet light can be a good secondary light - can be useful to pick out road
signs, or looking into a corner before you enter it.

I agree with the suggestion of managing the brightness too. As a rough guide for
road riding, I use about 250 lumens climbing, about 500 lumens on the flats, and
1000 lumens when descending.

Think about the placement of any front bag, and how compatible this might be
with your lighting. While many roadies like using a GoPro style light mount
under their out-front computer mount, this is not going to work with a handlebar
bag. Also think of the shape of your handlebars - round clamp light mounts used
to be common, which may not fit on non-round aerobars - although rubber band
mounts are more common now, which suit a wider range of bar shapes.

As batteries become larger to support brighter lights with longer run times,
they become too top heavy for a single bar mount. If you want to run significant
brightness over 3 hours, you are probably starting to think about 2 piece
systems with an external battery pack. I use a Gemini Duo, with the battery pack
on a velcro strap on the down tube (I duct tape the frame where it is likely to
rub). But there are many great alternatives.

2



SirDAN
Apr '22


Bike lights is akin to the N+1 for bikes, you never have the only correct light.

I have done a 500k (11000vm) single stage in 35 hours with a dynamo set up, for
both light and charging of power to bank for other chargeables, to a 1000 miler
5 days 9 hours, with no dynamo as resting up every 19-20 for 4 hours allowing
charging of lights and bits at the places of rest, among other rides of 1400km
bikepacking over 12 days, 5 & 7 day tours, to a weekly 40km ride we do from 6pm
into the evening.

I do agree that a minium of two lights is essential, 3 is best practice.

A main bike light can be dynamo set up (I use the K-Lite with USB charger), or a
stand alone light (I use Exposure Toro MK12, the MK13 is bigger and brighter but
not always needed, I also use the Extreme Lights Baviaans edition with a
rechargebale battery, use of either is dependent upon the
race/event/trip/logistics).

A helmet light is sensible to have and use, allows for a host of cases where a
bike light is not always practicable. I use the Exposure Joystick (this can be
used as a main bike light but dependent upon the use case circumstances).

A third light I use is the Petzel Actik Core, as a back up light or spare light
when the others are not practical to use.

Management of the modes of the various lights is an on-going effort, there are
times when a brighter or dimmer mode is ‘better’ and is all use case dependent.

Don’t forget blinker lights for the bike, rear I use Exposure Blaze MK1 and
upfront, have various el cheapo blinker lights.

Know your realistic ability for the race and then include a 15% time deficit for
potential issues and factor in that time for battery usage, if you have no means
of charging on the ride. A 250 mile ride can be done with one night of riding,
again dependent upon factors of start time of event, your goal time to finish,
lights being used and many more.

I do recommend you go ride at night, not only to get used to how things work in
the dark, but also a mental training knowing you are out in the cold, lonely air
whilst you could be sleeping and yet you need to be in the saddle for a few
hours. Make the uncomfortable comfortable.








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