Commuting - dont forget your lights!

Today at work I realized that I had forgotten both my headlight and rear light. Getting done with work around 9pm (just in time for it to be completely dark) I had to head from SE downtown Minneapolis back to University of Minnesota campus for my soccer game. Rolling down University Ave I nearly got hit twice by cars trying to sneak across the intersection that didn't see me coming (white shirt and street lights, thursday night college drunks maybe?). After one hell of a match, I was heading home from the game and going down a small hill near campus at around 20mph I hit one of those nice Dinkytown potholes. My left hand slipped entirely off the bars, and my right *just* barely held on as to not smash my face into my handlebars.

Moral of the story, dont forget to pack your lights! You don't really realize how nice it is having them until you forget to bring them.

Moral of the story, dont forget to pack your lights! You don't really realize how nice it is having them until you forget to bring them.

A bunch of us were coming back from a ride and we were late getting back. The sun had started setting and we were still 10 miles out. None of us had any lights. This was a few months ago and up here in the northwest, the sun drops pretty fast. Pretty soon, we were engulfed in darkness. Luckily the rest of the ride was on the bike trails although that can be almost as dangerous considering the conditions of the Burke-Gilman around some areas isn't always the most pristine and pedestrians are still a potential hazard. We were pushing a pretty good clip to get back as soon as possible. I wish I could tell you how fast we were going but well... there was no light to see it by. Anyways, we made it back without incident but it definately is scary not being able to see.

It's good to have a backup. I always carry a little flashlite--Princeton Tec Blast, cheap, runs a really long time on 2 AAAs, I highly recommend--and have been glad many times when either I didn't have my light system or the battery conked out before I got home.

I keep a backup at the office, too... a pair of Cateye LED lights. They're enough for me to be seen if I do get caught out.

It's also worthwhile keeping a little bit of cash handy. I'd rather spend money on a taxi than at the ER.

It's been a while since I've taken an unlit ride. A few years at least. However, to be honest I really didn't notice any difference here on the Gold Coast. Of course, it might just be our high moron quotient.

"Luckily the rest of the ride was on the bike trails although that can be almost as dangerous considering the conditions of the Burke-Gilman around some areas isn't always the most pristine and pedestrians are still a potential hazard"

There's a scary thought: walking down the Burke Gilman looking up at the Moon & Stars when around the bend comes the Midnight Peloton.