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Show Gth Annual 24 liaurs of Maab Event Program Page 12 Tfie Fine Art cf Night Riding urd Jcr't trerr Ur Whether youre a first timer to 24 hour racing or an experienced team looking to gain an edge on your competitors, youll e find the following compilation of most instructive and entertaining The debate rages on as to whether helmet mounted or handlebar mounted lights are the best choice if youre only going to have one light. However, theres strong consensus that having both helmet and handlebar mounted light is optimal. Granny couldnt agree more. Special thanks to our lighting system sponsors, NiteRider and Light & Motion. Both of these companies produce rugged and reliable products which we can highly recommend. Plus, these companies directly support you and your team through their sponsorship of the 24 Hour Race Series and in their exhausting, tech support and battery charging services at every race. If youd like to purchase a lighting system, go to your local bike shop first. If you can't find what youre looking for or if you dont have a local shop and need fast service, you can order systems through our secured-serve- r Granny Goods On-lin- e Store at www grannygear.com. Happy Trails, Granny words-to-the-wis- round-the-cloc- k Night Riding Tips note: The following tips have been submitted by experienced racers as well as persons of questionable repute. Goofy suggestions are not to be taken as serious advice. However, serious advice may be taken as a goofy suggestion. Granny Gear Productions, Inc. makes no warranties as to the va- (Editors needed. This is especially true when climbing at night. You get to the top and youre warm and sweaty. Then you freeze up and really freeze on the downhill. Cold sucks and wet just adds to the lidity or interpretations of said comments and cannot be held responsible for any misdeed that may lead to your falling on your tukuslor any other part of your body for that matter whether iii daylight or at night.) xcicrati ruYS Candles are not a reliable back-u- p system. 2) Solar panels dont work at night. 3) It takes 231 sparklers to do a lap. 4) The Indiglo function on your watch was never intended to be a secondary light source. 5) In case of emergency, burn your shorts. Especially if youre on Team Hugh Jass. (Editors note: This is, of course, at your own risk.) Sal Ruibal, Team USA Today 1 ) Buy a good light system, preferably 10 watt minimum, but I like 15 watts personally. Whether you use a handlebar mount or helmet mount is a matter of preference. I have found that riding with both is nice because you can use the helmet light to see where you want to go, not where the bike is pointing. It's also real handy when you flat or break down at night and need to see to work on stuff. Trust me, you will flat or break a chain. 2) Check you helmet after attaching the light to make sure it doesnt need adjusting. 3) Ride trails you are already familiar with at first. Exploring new terrain at night will either get you hurt, or most often, lost. Been there trust me. 4) Stay light on your bike and dont panic. I have found that if you trust your instincts, you will get through anything. Most folks do it in the day, so whats the difference. Keep in mind that dew is more present on rocks and grass so be prepared for that. Just dont make sudden turns or else youll wipe out. 5) Carry an extra shirt or light jacket. It's cooler at night and you will be happy misery. 7) Ride at night as often as you can. It will train your eyes and build your overall riding confidence. There is a certain quiet peace about riding at night. Somewhere during the night you will hear a voice say, Why am 1 doing this? I am never doing this again! Look forward to this voice. Welcome it. Laugh at it. Embrace it. Look forward to hearing it again next year. Just know that it will come and that you will ride past it and be stronger when it fades into the shadows. Chris Tirpak, 4x Sufferer of Canaan and Moab 1 ) to have some warm dry clothes if I suppose my biggest piece of advice for riding at night would be to practice a little Put your before you actually go lights on and ride around the neighborhood, get used to the added weight and feel of the lights. Also, youll want to play with the positioning a little as well, especially before a race so that youre not fooling with them at the last minute. off-roa- I 1) Even if you use a helmet light, carry a small flashlight. Its aggravating to have to take your handlebar light off to change a flat. Others arent near as willing to stop and let you use their light in a race (Ha Ha). 2) Conserve, Conserve, Conserve!!! Only use the high beams on the downhill or where you are really going fast. 3) After your afternoon lap, go ahead and prepare your bike for the night lap by installing your lights, etc. Its much easier in the daylight. David L. Lee, 5 Person Open, Carolina Sweet Peas Avoid the trees. Chris Sigmund Heres a great tip for all the newbies that are just getting aquatinted with night riding. When riding with your pals at night , I always try to look well ahead of the guy in front of me, so that I avoid making his mistakes. This also gives you a chance to pick a better line and make the pass. Neil Richardson find that using both a handlebar mounted light and a helmet mounted light works best. However, if youre poor and can only use one or the other, I would go with the helmet mounted light. I usually have my lights set up so that the beam from my bar light is pointed out farther ahead of my helmet light, and my helmet light beam is pointed out just a few feet in front of me. Having them set up this way allows you to see whats coming up ahead with your bar light, and allows you to see what youll be riding over in a second with your helmet light. Mike Pauli, Captain and Road Trip Coordinator, Team Los Bike 1 1) Make sure the switch for your light isnt in a place that you can accidentally hit and turn off the light while youre riding. 2) Your second light should be a helmet light, so when you have a flat in the pitch of night you can see what youre doing. The light on your handlebars wont help you see your back tire. And if your second light is handheld you will only have one hand free to change the tire. 3) Check that your light and battery are secure before you go. If theyre not secure, then your lights are going to go out for sure, or youll lose your battery and not be able to find it. Yale Iverson, Team Brown (VP ram iTPpm ii.nTjnTvTni.ru In) '( i on the last of our 2000 models L j35j your vehicle while you're in town I Rent a 4X4 and see the sights! ini i umn E0 |