So, I try to get in the first ride of the new year, a late afternoon moutain bike ride, with my lights on the bike, I take off at about 3:30 pm, I make the 4+ mile, 1600 ft climb to the summit, as just as I reach the summit, I turn on the 20 watt light. Well, it was a little weak, as I finished the climb, I was glad that I grabbed my second battery on the way out the door. Once I reach the summit, and in the failing light, I change the batteries, much better light, I should be able to make may down, dodging the ice on the way down.
shortly into the desent, the headlight starts fading, FAST. 10 min from the summit and over 4 miles to go and my light is gone, my backup battery was supposed to be fully charged, guess I made a mistake. I try walking it down, but between the snow, rocks and the plentiful gray ice, I almost wipe out 3 times, I thow in the towel and grab the cell phone, ring a buddy that I ride with, ( he won't do winter/snow/ice rides!), who lives about a mile from the trail head and ask him to come meet me and help me down. As Cloudy, overcast skies block the moonlight, I find my way to clear area at one of the switchbacks and begin to wait. 26 degrees and I am certainly not dressed to sit around and wait, UnderArmour, fleece long jersery, wind shell and winter tights. At about one hour, 15 min later, my buddy shows up and we make our way down the moutain, he fell twice, I fell 3 times on the way down, the ice has gotten really bad with the warm weather that we have had lately.
Made it to the car in about an hour, cold and ready to get home.
Note to self: pack mini maglight in camelback.
Thanks for good friends.