Smart BL201 Twin Headlamp System

Since the clocks changed it has been difficult to get out sharpish on weekends due to the darkness. I'm not keen to ride in the dark, but it would be handy to get out in the gloom so I'm well under way when the sun comes up. And I do need to try some off road at night to see if I'd want to attempt the night sections of the TransUK events.

After a good deal of searching around, I have just sniped a Smart BL201 Twin Headlamp System on Ebay for £25. Seems a good deal as they are openly on sale for £45-60 elsewhere.

These have a 2.4W lamp and a 10W lamp, both halogen. The idea is that the 2.4W should be ample for road riding to get to somewhere and has pretty long battery life, the 10W entry-level ok for off-road if I need it.

Will report back once they've been road tested.

TransRockies 2007 Registration Opens

Registration for the 2007 TransRockies Challenge opened on 1st Nov, is already 80% full.

5 November 2006 Tracks n Backroads

Late posting this, but today's riding plans got mashed so it's a chance to catch up.

Another trip round this route including the recent Clatto extra.

Ground a bit drier and firmer than before and I felt I was quite "attacking" the course. Ended up back in 2hr 30 min for the 30km which is the same as last time - except that I stopped for a few minutes to help a guy on a hybrid who had tried to pump up his back tyre but due to a valve mistmatch had only succeeded in emptying it.

Actually, I was hailed down by two impressive roadies who had already stopped. Husband and wife, both in the free bus pass age group, drop handlebars and wooly hats. They were both interested in MTBing - maintenance, weight, where to put the panniers, etc. 60 miles a day was nothing to them a while ago - they've "done Inverness in a day" apparently; about 130 miles.