The main reason behind my not commuting recently is that I developed a fear about riding home in the dark. More specifically, I was terrified of riding the unlit 1.25 miles from the campus to the trail. My headlight is more than adequate for seeing the road ahead and my taillight is also powerful and (hopefully) attention-grabbing. Plus, I have multiple weights of reflective outerwear. However, I've had so many close swipes in daylight from jackhole drivers in that distance that the thought of riding in the dark on those streets made me panicky.
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| It's skeery out there. |
The weather yesterday was so beautiful that I HAD to take advantage of it. And you know what? The ride home was actually more relaxing than the ride in. I felt so calm and happy when I got home that I cajoled the Hubs to come out and ride around with me to look at Christmas lights. We cruised up and down neighborhood streets and my love for riding at this time of year was renewed.
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| I light up the night. |
Melanie, You've got some serious lights going on your bike! Love it. :O) I keep contemplating putting lights on one of the bikes, but I've been so lazy about it... by the time I get around to it, it will seem stupid, I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a lovely ride home.
The star lights are so much fun: they flash and change color! I don't know if oncoming cyclists can actually see them because my headlight is so bright, but they make me happy. It's like my own private rave on wheels. The more traditional bulb lights are on the C8 and I'll snap a photo of its holiday decor this weekend. :)
DeleteIt's never too late to put lights on the bike. I seem to recall that LGRAB's Dottie kept her decorative lights on the Betty Foy all winter. A little extra cheer during the dark months can be a blessing. :)
LOL "Private rave." I love it! :O)
DeleteYou're right. I suppose it wouldn't be a waste to put them on. I should definitely get to it as I've been extremely lazy with this process. I love seeing your fun though, so maybe it will inspire me.
What kinds of decorative lights are you using and where did you get them? Also how do you power them? Batteries? Not talking about the functional lighting like headlights and tail light but the others in the spokes and the stars.
ReplyDeleteYour bike looks nice all decked out that way!
Target is my battery-operated Christmas light shop of choice. :) I've got these battery-operated Star Lights on the hybrid and bulb lights similar to these on the C8. My local Targets are out of the bulb strings I got last year and I can't find the exact type online. The stars take four AA and the bulbs take three AA. I use rechargeable batteries so I don't feel too bad about the superfluous decoration. :)
DeleteThe "lights" on my spokes are actually a couple sets of Lightweights reflective stickers from REI. (And looking at the photo again reminds me that I need to apply stickers to the replacement spoke on the back wheel...) I've got a few other reflective stickers on the edges of my pedals and cranks. The super bright flash are the reflective label and strip on my pannier.
Thank you, I had no idea they could be had so easily. I'm not much of a shopper so I don't browse around stores much. Looking forward to seeing the photo of your other bike lights.
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