DownTheRoad.org
The continuous bicycle touring story since 2002
no plans to stop

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The story of how I saved money, quit my job, sold my possessions, and set off to endlessly travel by bike around the world. My Plan

My 3 Books
I write, self publish and sell books about touring

(see all 3 book)

HOME
Where am I?
Videos
Picture Gallery
Journals
Travel Plan
Finances
Shopping
Equipment
My Books
About Me
Media/Press Room
Contact

Photo Use Info

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Continue My Travels

Places I have been
(How can I afford this?)

India and Neighbors
May 2010 to present

Alaska / Canada / USA
May 2008 to April 2010

New Zealand
Sept 2007 to May 2008

Australia
Sept 2006 to Sept 2007

SE Asia / China
Nov 2004 to Sept 2006

South America
June 2003 to June 2004

AZ, Mexico, and Central America
March 2002 to April 2003

How I started
The 5 years before I left

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Written on the road as I travel around the world on my bicycle

*Help Support this Web Site and Continue My Travels.

Equipment Pages Index

Introduction
How Much to Bring and Weight
Some Advice About Advice
A Note to Perspective Sponsors and Gear Suppliers
(See more about Sponsorship)

START HERE for Touring Bikes and Commuting Bicycles
Custom Touring Bicycles and Bike Upgrade Buyers Guide
Bicycle Touring Frames
The Steel Repair Myth.
Steel and Aluminum Derailleur Hanger Repair.
Bicycle Touring Wheels
Phil Wood: The Best Bicycle Hubs

Panniers / Bike Bags
Cargo Trailers Vs Panniers
Tires for Bike Tours..
Bicycle Touring Saddles.
Women's Specific Bike Touring Saddles
Brooks Leather Touring Bicycle Saddle Care and Conditioning
Bike Computer
Touring Handlebars, Bar Ends, Adjustable Stems, and Padded Grips.
Kickstands
Sealed Cartridge Headsets
How to prevent flat tires
Bike Route Trails and Maps

Camping
Buying Camping Equipment
Tent and Ground Cloth
Sleeping Bag
Sleeping Pad
Camp Stove
Pots and Pans
Water Filter
First Aide Kits
Solar Power for Camp

Clothing
Bike Touring Shorts

Electrical
Short-wave Radio
Computer
Internet
mp3
Bicycle touring lights

Books
Packing list
Pictures of Equipment Failures
Shopping

See My Videos Here

Bicycle Touring Lighting Systems: Head Lamps and Tail Lights for Touring Bikes, Travel and Camping

Bicycle touring lights and lighting have come a long way in recent years, thanks to urban bike commuters riding home from work after dark, LED light bulb technology and the growing number of utility and recreational cyclists who want to expand their riding season into the darker hours.

Nowadays there are some pretty slick bicycle lighting systems with high output rechargeable batteries that would be perfect for a daily bike commuter who rides in the dark regularly. Usually these cyclists have their lighting systems charging up at work or at home. Excellent and innovative systems, but not applicable to cycle touring. I rarely see these high-end bike lights on touring bicycles and for good reason - bicycle tourists have little reason to ride after dark. It’s much preferable to set up camp or find a room long before nightfall. With a complicated light system, you are risking hundreds of dollars every night you go to sleep with your bike chained to a tree.

Cycling after dark has never had much appeal to me. Oh sure, before the big trip, I had fantasies of being ready for anything. But a few years of reality on the road have taught me that the after-dark riding is easily and happily avoidable. An expensive lighting system would be overkill and far more trouble than it would be worth.

For me, cycling in the dark happens in three different situations: 1) Long dark tunnels 2) A run into town for shopping or drinks after camp is set up 3) The inevitable day when everything goes wrong, there’s no place to camp and I end up riding on and on into the night looking for any available port in the storm. Only a few times a year do I actually require lights since I prefer to cycle during the day.

During these rare night-time rides, I prefer a simple blinking LED taillight and either a strap-on headlight worn under my helmet, or a handheld flashlight that mounts on my handlebars. Having one of each is best, since you will inevitably have to rummage through three different bags when the need for a light arises. The headlamp is most useful for camping, when you often need both hands free. The handheld torch gets more use in the city.

Be careful when selecting your rear blinky light. If it mounts on the seat post or rear rack, will it be visible when your gear is loaded on? How secure is it? After losing a couple of rear lights to bumpy roads or grabby fingers, I look for lights with multiple secure mounting options. A plastic zip-tie can keep your light where it needs to be. If you attach lights to your panniers, make sure they don’t sag down. Remember that your lights will take all the abuse that you dish out on the bike. If the bike falls over, the lights may get crushed. Think of how often your helmet goes crashing to the ground before you buy that helmet light. And as always, consider the availability of batteries in the places you plan to tour. An expensive lithium battery is difficult to replace in many countries.

One thing we can all agree on is that cyclists in any place need to be visible on the road. Lighting is one part of this, and especially important after dark. But lights are not as visible during the day, when I do most of my riding, and this is where high-visibility clothing comes in. Truth be told, I am not a fan of florescent colored bicycle clothing. I prefer not attracting every eye within five miles when I step off my bike. I get stared at quite enough, and a bright green skin-tight jersey is only going to add to my already extremely weird appearance when I show up in a small village. But I do want drivers to notice me on the side of the road so they won’t run me down. One alternative to the flashing red lights or flashy bike clothes is a simple high-viz vest. They reflect light and are easy to remove when you get off the bike. Reflective Vest

Handlebar Mounted Bicycle

In countries where I am not camping much I like a bike headlight that can be quickly removed and used as a handheld flashlight for finding keys in dark hotel hallways or for unexpected power outages. Better to not have the headstrap for hotel use, as you might accidentally blind people when attempting to have a conversation. This is basically a flashlight (torch) that can double as a bike headlamp.

Shop for Handlebar Mounted Bicycle Headlights HERE

LED Red Flashing Tail Lights

Any kind of utility bike I have owned has had a red flashing LED tail light mounted on the rear rack. They use very little electricity and good name brand alkali batteries seem to last forever, even if you accidentally leave them on all night. When I rode my sporty road or mountain bike I would clip on a little red blinker for those evenings the ride ran long. A simple little light like this can save your life on dark nights.

Shop for LED Red Flashing Tail Lights HERE

LED Headlamp for Camping and Biking

I personally prefer, and usually travel with a headlamp that can be worn on or under my helmet while riding and on my head while camping. I look for the highest watts/brightest one where the batteries are standard alkaline or rechargeable batteries. I also like the batteries to be contained in the light unit or strap and not a separate battery pack. The downside is if you ride into an unexpected tunnel. If your headlight is not on your handlebars, you have to stop, get off, and find your lights. I have learned to ride in complete darkness in tunnels by braille – (long story) feeling the center seam of the road with my wheels and follow that for 3km. Better to stop and actually pull out your light and not be such a lazy ass rather than risking your life in some crazy super long unlit Chinese tunnel.

Shop for LED Headlamp for Camping and Biking HERE

Very Bright Urban, Utility and Bicycle Commuting Bike Lights and Batteries

Planning on doing a lot of night riding on your next tour? Maybe you are crossing Death Valley in the summer or trying to set some kind of speed record? These lights appear as bright or brighter than a car headlight. If I were commuting to a regular job, I would have a bike with fenders and one of these lights permanently attached parked in my garage charging when I was at home.

Shop for Very Bright Urban, Utility and Bicycle Commuting Lights HERE

Click to purchase
. Helmet Lights

Helmet Mounted Lights

Ever get tired of fiddling around with removable lights every time you park your bike? Lights that attach to your helmet may be the solution. A great idea for bike commuters, these lights stay on your helmet instead of the bike, keeping them out of reach of grabby hands. You could even use the helmet headlamp around camp, instead of searching for that flashlight. http://tinyurl.com/8xnbseg

Buy Helmet Lights HERE