Cycling over Sally Gap at night....

The Noble Nudge

Lumen wrote: »

Lumens is output, lux is illumination.

A wider beam will have less illumination (lux) for the same output (lumens).

The best bike lights put all the lux where you need them, and nowhere else. The worst put all the lux into the sky (or oncoming drivers eyes) and/or on to the ground immediately in front of you (which just wrecks your night vision).

A wider/longer beam is more pleasant in the sense that you get to relax and see more of the world around you, but it doesn't help with pothole avoidance.

Lumen you seem to be the person to ask,
Can you send me a link to what would best suit my needs.
I was lucky last night as in I had two one that lit a wide circle (Aldi cheapo) and a more focused torch beam for potholes....Learn by doing I suppose..

Lumen

The Noble Nudge wrote: »

Can you send me a link to what would best suit my needs. I was lucky last night as in I had two one that lit a wide circle (Aldi cheapo) and a more focused torch beam for potholes....Learn by doing I suppose..

There is no right answer. You'll have to read the 586 posts in this thread. :pac:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055705708

The Noble Nudge

jetsonx wrote: »

OP, do you like hospital food or something?

Your plan is totally mad hat. The Sally Gap is not a sealed road. Its a
pot-holed D-road through a mountain for Chri@tsake. As other posters have said, even with powerful lights
you will only see potholes at the last minute. Sometimes that is too late. Moreover, motorists up there at
night will NOT be expecting cyclists. This is another substantial risk.

If you want to add some adventure to your life, I'm sure there are loads
more imaginative but safer ways to do it.

Its not like it was my first time up there Jetsonx (I'm not sure if you're a cyclist) maybe I should put that in the OP, I would like to think I am not an novice cyclist. I have been on that particular road a lot over the last 3 years just not at night.......I was very well illuminated from the rear as in I was like a Christmas tree, I got away with the front but will be upgrading....Its not like I am descending at my usual speed I'm not stupid....You only see potholes at the last minute in the day too...
Every night will be different I am sure but in all honesty motorists (the ones I encountered) seemed to give me a wider berth than daytime cycling oddly enough.
I was also dressed for the elements.

The Noble Nudge

Lumen wrote: »

There is no right answer. You'll have to read the 586 posts in this thread. :pac:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055705708

I couldn't find that last night........586 you must have a preference....I will accept full responsibility and will only promise to haunt you a year as a ghost.....:D

07Lapierre

Something like this:

http://www.wiggle.com/hope-vision-1-led-adventure-front-head-light/

Lumen

The Noble Nudge wrote: »

I couldn't find that last night........586 you must have a preference....I will accept full responsibility and will only promise to haunt you a year as a ghost.....:D

I use a dynamo front hub connected to a B&M Lumotec IQ Cyo, and a Moon Shield on the rear.

quozl

Lumen wrote: »

I use a dynamo front hub connected to a B&M Lumotec IQ Cyo, and a Moon Shield on the rear.

Just the one 60 lumen front light? That's interesting. I got a 40 lumen B&M Fly T last week and it doesn't seem that bright to me but I guess I haven't been away from city lights with it yet.

I'm kind of tempted by the idea of evening spins up the Sally Gap myself. Especially if a dynamo hub light can provide enough light.

Lumen

quozl wrote: »

Just the one 60 lumen front light? That's interesting. I got a 40 lumen B&M Fly T last week and it doesn't seem that bright to me but I guess I haven't been away from city lights with it yet.

No, 60 lux.

It isn't that bright compared to the battery powered Chinese flood monsters, but it's enough to see the road. I've never hit a pothole in the dark.

If I wanted more (or didn't have one yet) I'd get the Luxos IQ2.

quozl

Lumen wrote: »

No, 60 lux.

D'oh, I actually get the difference I just can't remember to type it

It isn't that bright compared to the battery powered Chinese flood monsters, but it's enough to see the road. I've never hit a pothole in the dark.

If I wanted more (or didn't have one yet) I'd get the Luxos IQ2.

Thanks for the info Lumen, I've actually been toying with the idea of getting that new Luxos :P

Zyzz

Ill post pics of the 2 eBay lights that I use if anyone is interested! One of them has a standard lens which is a beam and the other has a flood light lens on it

CatFromHue

I too like night cycling, it's usually less windy and there's less traffic.

I'd put on off the ball on my radio and just cycle away listening to it.

I haven't ventured further than good quality and relatively straight unlit country roads.

I would love to go up over the Sally Gap on a moon light night though.

codie

CatFromHue wrote: »

I too like night cycling, it's usually less windy and there's less traffic.

I'd put on off the ball on my radio and just cycle away listening to it.

Heard it all now.

cyclic

Did you make it alive? Worth the hassle? Never done a decent night ride- do you recommend? Did you close your eyes on the descents? Have a meaningful encounter with a sheep? Share a joint with a boy racer at the Kippure mast road? Please do tell..

route66

cyclic wrote: »

Did you make it alive? Worth the hassle? Never done a decent night ride- do you recommend? Did you close your eyes on the descents? Have a meaningful encounter with a sheep? Share a joint with a boy racer at the Kippure mast road? Please do tell..

He did - see post 33

650Ginge

Lumen wrote: »

I use a dynamo front hub connected to a B&M Lumotec IQ Cyo, and a Moon Shield on the rear.

I just fitted a B&M Luxos B to my dynohub this evening and took the dogs out for a short test ride. Pretty amazing and looking forward to having the drls on the run into work tomorrow.

I agree with what has been said before, I love riding a night, the peace and quiet, the sneaking up on nature (maybe not with the new lights). We did Portadown/Newry canal last christmas both ways one way in the dark. I will definitely be doing it again soon. Traffic free 99% of it.

trad

Zyzz wrote: »

Id use my big ebay lights, they are 20 something quid but are incredibly bright. They are too bright for regular use but when the roads go dark and quiet I switch em on and happy days :pac:

Can you put up a link?

Wishbone Ash

detones wrote: »

I'd agree with this, it also looks a messy set up with 2 lights and a battery pack when all you get is 320lumens. You can get a self contained unit with battery and light that will put out up to 800 lumens.

+1

Messy and clumsy.

WillyFXP wrote: »

I posted because its a bargain for what you are getting, I know there are better lights with higher output, but you wont get anything lower than €200 for a single lamp with that output.

My Lezyne is a small, neat, durable, self contained light which will fit in the palm of my hand and it puts out 450 lumens. I forget what it cost but was around €90 I think.

Speedmerchant

Some good Wicklow night and winter footage here as part of a nice video series re winter cycling in Ireland and riding the Paris-Roubaix sportive.
Highly recommend cycling the mountains at night. Just wrap up really warm. And hope the roads are dry!

Intro. http://vimeo.com/25811177
1. http://vimeo.com/26052134
2. http://vimeo.com/25851810
3. http://vimeo.com/26055221

RV

Speedmerchant wrote: »

Intro. http://vimeo.com/25811177
1. http://vimeo.com/26052134

Very dark at the start of the intro; camera man caught that really well.

Can't believe he put his bike out in the cold. Jeez, you'd hardly put the dog out in that.

The Noble Nudge

Lucky but didn't go as smoothly tonight..
468m in spoke pinged and stopped me in my tracks. Thankfully didn't happen further into the spin....

Hunterbiker

When I read the thread title it sounds like a euphemism for something other than going for a cycle over a high pass at night time...

But despite all that and when I get over my back of the class sniggering there's loads of good info and tips.

Its a great thread. Just saying.

The Noble Nudge

Speedmerchant wrote: »

Some good Wicklow night and winter footage here as part of a nice video series re winter cycling in Ireland and riding the Paris-Roubaix sportive.
Highly recommend cycling the mountains at night. Just wrap up really warm. And hope the roads are dry!

Intro. http://vimeo.com/25811177
1. http://vimeo.com/26052134
2. http://vimeo.com/25851810
3. http://vimeo.com/26055221

Great diary....
Like the end rocking into my fav shop

The Noble Nudge

Lumen wrote: »

I use a dynamo front hub connected to a B&M Lumotec IQ Cyo, and a Moon Shield on the rear.

Series piece of kit but out of my price range for now...

bazermc

Speedmerchant wrote: »

Some good Wicklow night and winter footage here as part of a nice video series re winter cycling in Ireland and riding the Paris-Roubaix sportive.
Highly recommend cycling the mountains at night. Just wrap up really warm. And hope the roads are dry!

Intro. http://vimeo.com/25811177
1. http://vimeo.com/26052134
2. http://vimeo.com/25851810
3. http://vimeo.com/26055221

What's the tune used in the intro video? Sounds like chemical brothers.

mirrormatrix

Shazam is your friend in these situations. But in the meantime, here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCCJc_V8_MQ

bazermc

mirrormatrix wrote: »

Shazam is your friend in these situations. But in the meantime, here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCCJc_V8_MQ

muchas gracias

Wishbone Ash

07Lapierre wrote: »

.... mobile phone etc. (is there a phone signal up at sally gap?)

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

There is during the day anyway. I often send Mrs WA a text when I reach the crossroads ...

No signal there today.

Positive_Rate

Like Valentine said -

Heres the link to the bestest value *brightest* CATEYE lights:http://www.ebay.ie/itm/350864745008?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
I bought them and am delighted - also got 2 more rear lights for the kids bike trailer, excellent - even in the day.

Also, get the free gear from the RSA:
http://rsa.pmms.ie/ProductDetails.aspx?Option=Group&OptionParameter=HIVIS

Once you're well and truly lit up thats one thing, but also
be prepared for unexpected weather - really can get cold up there, difficult to appreciate how much so from 'city level'.
theres boyracers up there - just be aware