cadence.....

Well - I've been semi obsessed with Bicycle lights for the last few days.
By law they are required in Illinois if you ride at night. A white light
for the front and a red for the rear. I dug out a couple of Halogen lights
for the front and a red led strip for the back. I also went out and bought
some reflective red tape for the back frame. I also wear a semi dorky
construction vest so I can be seen very well at night.
A few nights ago I was on the Illinois prairie path at about 7:30 at
night. It was dusk and there is heavy foliage that block the light on the
trail. You would be surprised to see how many people use NO lights. No led
blinkies , no lamps absolutely nothing. With the low light I only saw them
when they were about 5-7 feet from me. I would have been a pretty bad
accident if I would have smashed someone at full tilt. Again we live in the
cult of self importance. I'm suppose to know where you are.... Aaaagggg.
Any ways I'm down from 300 to 285-288 (depends on the day). I feel better
about my ride and my self. It's not a race any more. I think that the hard
part is knowing where to go. As a kid I always had to be somewhere, now I
really don't. I kind point the bike and just start peddling away. The
cadence soon develops and my mind stats to wander. I'm still very aware of
my surroundings but I'm free to be mentally elsewhere.
I saw two new style of under frame lights. One is a cold cathode tube
and the other is an led strip. Its very goofy but it will assure that there
is no problem in seeing me after dark. They both are about $20 bucks +
batteries. I enjoy the night as traffic dies down and it gets easier on
the street. It can also bring out the drunk and bad night driver. ....
Anyways -- peace...