I have the same problem and I even have a respectable set of lights to loan to people. We normally get out around 6.30pm and out for around 3 hours, but We go offroad. Not the most sane thing to do but we even do it on a Tandem. So not not really riding on our own.
Only ever met another group up on the hills and they were from a town about 10 miles away. They were doing the same route as us but in reverse. Ever scared the cr*p out of 5 riders up on the hills when they were not expecting to see anyone else? We were trying to see if we could ride on No- lights to cater for emergencies and it was just about possible. They were regrouping after a hill and we came up to them from a blind spot and put our Lamps onto them full power. They were not amused to be blinded by some other nutters cycling their hills. Pity is that we have never seen them since.
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How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan