Don't forget to check your batteries!

[downfader]

Seems like daft advice, but riding in this week I counted about 3 riders in 2 days who I thought had no rear light. When I overtook them I gave them the heads-up that their light was failing - all 3 just looked at me bemused. Perhaps because they were Cateyes they'd initially switched them on to see them brightly flicker, set off and didnt realise the light dims over 5-10 minutes.

This is something all riders should be aware of. Just because your light is bright when you set off, doesnt mean it will be when you get in. Surely they must look at the light when they arrive as they have to switch it off..? Or do some just fumble for it whilst looking for the lock? I know I've done the latter.

Perhaps I'm just paranoid, but I sometimes check my lights (and even my pannier bag is still attached) when stopped at the odd junction. I suppose its also time to pull out my extra set and double up as I usually do at this time of year - 2 front and 2 back!

 

[paul04]

Like you I also run 2 lights on the back and front of the bike, just in case the batteries fail in one of the lights, and carry some spare batteries in my back pack.

 

[Sara_H]

Me three! I always have two rear lights incase one fails when I'm not looking!

 

[fossyant]

I do charge all year round with commuting, but the system gets slack in the lighter months.

 

[derrick]

I carry spare batteries in with puncture stuff.

 

[helston90]

Both my rechargeables ran out on the same commute home yesterday- fortunately the rear was backed up with a battery one, and the front one gives a 30 minute warning- which is enough time to burn it home. Clearly though my weekly ritual of recharging them has not established itself yet this winter.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

I have two rear lights and also carry spare batteries. By some strange act of physics, my cateye reflects off my bell, so I can see that it is on without looking back

 

[gazza_d]

It's not just batteries. A lot of these modern lights will leap to their death like lemmings at random bumps like kerbs or speed humps.

I also run multiple lights front and rear to guard against this and sudden battery failure. 2 pairs of Bikemates from Aldi which are very bright for the price and a micro flare front and back.
Most of my runs in the dark are along well lit roads and less than 20 min, but a light can still die rapidly.

 

[Frood42]

I carry spare batteries, I also ordered additional better lights, but I am waiting to get the faulty Hope 1 I was sent replaced by Wiggle, so that my now current light set then becomes the backup set.

 

[jagman.2003]

Good advice, I have been running last seasons batteries for the last month or so on dull mornings. I had been thinking of just changing the lot for fresh set. Reminded me to get on & do it.

 

[sheffgirl]

I keep seeing cyclists with no lights on these dull mornings. Yes, it's not totally dark, but it's still harder to see someone if they have no lights.
There's one particular cyclist I see every morning going the opposite way, he always wears jeans and a dark jacket, and he has no lights. I wonder if and when he will get some?

 

[downfader]

I keep seeing cyclists with no lights on these dull mornings. Yes, it's not totally dark, but it's still harder to see someone if they have no lights.
There's one particular cyclist I see every morning going the opposite way, he always wears jeans and a dark jacket, and he has no lights. I wonder if and when he will get some?

Thankfully today I only saw one rider with no lights. Silly sod was a good one though: about 20, dressed in black, black bike that looked poorly maintained. Rode past and realised he had headphones in and full blast.

 

[glenn forger]

I thought this was about vibrators.

Unsubscribes.

 

[Leodis]

I have two rear lights and also carry spare batteries. By some strange act of physics, my cateye reflects off my bell, so I can see that it is on without looking back

That sounds so wrong.

 

[Davidc]

.................

Perhaps I'm just paranoid, but I sometimes check my lights (and even my pannier bag is still attached) when stopped at the odd junction. I suppose its also time to pull out my extra set and double up as I usually do at this time of year - 2 front and 2 back!

It's not paranoia it's self preservation. I'm the same. Dynamo set plus battery set, and I carry spare charged batteries too.

If they don't see me it's because they aren't looking, and I usually run daytime be-seen lights as well.

I carry spare batteries in with puncture stuff.

That's one place mine go - after a near total dim-out a few years back I now rotate the things as well, so rarely more than a couple of weeks from a charge.

I use the utility bike a lot in the evenings between about 4 pm and 7 pm, so now it's GMT again the lights will be on a lot.