Fifty Plus (50+) - Out riding in the dark this evening/new headlight

Now that it's dark by 7pm here in north east Scotland,and will be dark at 4pm in 7or 8 weeks time, I though I had better get a reasonable front light. I ride on unlit single track rural roads mostly, covering 17 or so miles ,through 30% pine forest and the rest arable land,the road surfaces arn't great,so I need to be able to pick out the holes in the road at speed ( well up to 25mph )
I settled on a "Moon X300 " rechargeable (it's charging off my usb port at the moment )
Got it mounted on my helmet,and set off into the chilly night,no moon and the roads were wet ,I could see really well,and the best bit about having the light on my hat is I can look into the fields and forest by the roadside,only downside is if I have a peek in the lit windows of the farms I pass, it lights the room up, making it obviouse I'm being nosy.
Other advantage , the couple of cars I met didn't seem all that eager to dip their headlights for a mere cyclist,that was untill i raised my head and looked into there cab, one of them even moved over into a passing place to allow me to pass without getting off the tarmac.
Well thats the lighting sorted,just got to stop my feet from going numb ,and my nose from running with the damp and cold.
Lee

Been looking at the X300 as a helmet lamp and as that it will be fine- but I still rate a strong Lamp fixed to the bars. I have a USE Exposure that is twin 5w LED's and it is good enough. Bought it 6 years ago but compared to more modern Lamps- it is now a Weak lamp at only 280 lumens.

But battery life is what I want from a lamp--along with the power of course. My night rides are 3 to 4 hours long offroad and I need a battery that will last that long. The USE has 3 power levels and it will last 4 hours on medium power and 7 on low. High power only gets switched on for the downhills.

But helmet lamps are a must. You can see to repair the bike if required and do it with both hands- and for those beasties lurking at the edge of your main fixed lamp- you can see what they are. Just don't shine it at a Roe Deer. They see it as a challenge and charge.

SCOTLAND-you have bikes in SCOTLAND? Wow!

Kidding of course. Its getting dark earlier here and I have resigned myself to mounting some lights and just leaving them for the next few months. I'm lucky here in the SW USA. Its a newer neighborhood and has great bike lanes and even better trails. Stapfam opened my eyes to the benefit of a helmet cam for repairs, never thought of that. Thanks guys from the other side.

SCOTLAND-you have bikes in SCOTLAND? Wow!



I suppose Scotland has had them for a while: (from Wikipedia)
The first mechanically-propelled 2-wheel vehicle was believed to have been built by Kirkpatrick MacMillan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirkpatrick_MacMillan), a Scottish blacksmith, in 1839. A nephew later claimed that his uncle developed a rear-wheel drive design using mid mounted treadles (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treadles) connected by rods to a rear crank, similar to the transmission of a steam locomotive (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_locomotive)

Roe deer , charge ? now I have to agree to the suicidal tendencies of deer where vehicles are concerned,but I havn't noticed any aggression in the behaviour of the local,quite large ,population.
Maybe the southern Engish deer,out of desperation,with their backs to the wall, are starting to fight back,
Go For It Bambi!!!
Cheers
Lee

Did a night ride up on the South Downs and in an enclosed part of the track--6 ft high fences either side-- I caught the rear end of a Stag roe deer in my lights. It Turned round- took one look and charged. 30 yards from me and I was off the bike and ready to vault the fence when it decided to do the same. But this is something several of us have noticed- Must be the start of the rutting season but In the wooded enclosed areas- Stags are getting a bit fiesty.

What kind of handlebars do you have on your bike? ;)

I'm starting to learn about lights, reading all I can, then decide. Couldn't resist a comment here, about deer and lights.
A friend of mine and another were riding their motorcycles at night, when a deer jumped across the road. Right between my friend and his windshield.
Blew him right off the back at 60mph, good thing he was wearing leathers, he slid a while, and walked back to his bike, leaning on the only building in miles.
I wouldn't believe this story, but I've known the guy for years.