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08-17-07, 11:19 AM
On Sunday, while getting my bent ready for the morning commute, my 5 watt headlight decides to short out. I can see the smoke curling up from the case. I managed to save the 20 watt light, but alas the company no longer makes my 5 watt case, and their new system is not compatible.
So I decide that I can actually make the ride in the morning with only the 20 watt light. I know it is a power hog, and it won't last the whole 40 minutes into work, but I am going to try anyway. All is well until I realize that the short must have damaged the battery as well, because the light will not stay on. Every bump either turns it on or off. I am too far from the house to go back and change plans, so I press on. On the darkest part of one trail, the light suddely comes on to reveal a SKUNK:eek: in the middle of the trail. WHOLY SNIKIES! The startled little fellow has (thankfully) no time to react to my sudden presence and freezes. I jump the peddeling into overdrive and scoot past him all the time praying he won't lift his tail. In my mirror, I watch him waddle off the trail, and I make it the rest of the way to work without smelling worse for wear.
Time for a new lighting system
So I decide that I can actually make the ride in the morning with only the 20 watt light. I know it is a power hog, and it won't last the whole 40 minutes into work, but I am going to try anyway. All is well until I realize that the short must have damaged the battery as well, because the light will not stay on. Every bump either turns it on or off. I am too far from the house to go back and change plans, so I press on. On the darkest part of one trail, the light suddely comes on to reveal a SKUNK:eek: in the middle of the trail. WHOLY SNIKIES! The startled little fellow has (thankfully) no time to react to my sudden presence and freezes. I jump the peddeling into overdrive and scoot past him all the time praying he won't lift his tail. In my mirror, I watch him waddle off the trail, and I make it the rest of the way to work without smelling worse for wear.
Time for a new lighting system