07/16/96
Hello
Riders
During
the night portion of the RBC Challenge ride I
found
my Vistalite 420 headlight going dead.
Any
suggestions for more longevity out of the ni-cad
(gel?)
powered headlight. Many folks where running all
night
on the same battery pack (how they do that?).
Currently
running the single Vistalite 420 with the 2.5
amp/hour
battery which will produce light for about 1.5
hours.
Even the 5.0 amp/hour battery is only rated for 3
hours.
Any
suggestions would be appreciated!
-Kurt
================================================================
,__o
Kurt Ries Canandaigua, NY
_-\_<, kries@kodak.com
(*)/'(*) 716-724-9015
================================================================
The
following is our account of the Challenge ride for
those
who are really bored at work.
We did
the RBC Challenge Ride Saturday and
Sunday...great
fun.
The
Challenge ride is a 24 hour ride starting at 7:00 AM
Saturday
and ending 7:00 AM Sunday. There are three
loops,
two 25 mile loops and one 12 mile night loop. All
loops
return to a central picnic area for food, drink and
conversation.
Our
Challenge this year was a daylight double (my first
double,
light or no light). We started riding about 7:30
AM. averaging
17-18 miles an hour for the first 100
miles,
sucking on any wheel that happened to pass. Lots
of fast
pace lines...YES!
Thanks to the RBC week-end rides I have got
in three
Milage
Centuries before the CR. 100 miles was a huge
psychological
barrier for me. The first three loops I felt
strong,
by the fourth I was starting to limp. This may
have
something to do with all the cookies I consumed at
50
miles. Several folks have conveyed a similar story of
feeling
stronger after breaking though your normal limits,
but I
hadn't experienced it until now.
After
stocking up on pasta (who ever brought that pasta
in the
lite red sauce I owe you one) some strength
returned.
The fifth loop went better than the fourth
averaged
16 mph.
I have been using a Camel Back to prevent
hydration
problems
combined with sport drinks in the water bottles.
This
has almost eliminated the headache problems I had
been
having on these long hauls.
Eight
O'clock already! The hopes of a day light double
faded,
but not the double. Found the fresh bread some
kind
sole brought in and off for loop six. Hooked up with
the
Ottawa folks for well organized fast paceline into the
sunset
(does it get better this?).
Pulled
in just before twilight, dawned the lights and took
an
extended break for the sub and pizza delivery.
Inhaled
an assorted sub and several slices of pizza. It
was
good to get some substantial food in me since most
of the
munchies stuff had been converted from calories
to
mileage by then. Suddenly I saw it, under a halve
eaten
bag of pretzels an edge of a paper plate within a
zip
lock bag...fudge! Yes, pure lard, sugar and caffeine. I
was
rejuvenated for the nights action. I owe my last 50
miles
to the person who brought in the fudge.
With
the extra milage we accumulated during the day
needed
four night loops. Away we went into the night a
bug
splattering pinpoint of light.
Loop 1
- fast, cool and fun
Loop 2
- ni-cad batteries died no head light
Loop 3
- Headlight running on 4 alkaline
Loop 4
- Head light died
Found
when I had returned to the light had 207 miles.
My
first double completed.
Thanks
to the RBC for another great ride; see ya!
-Kurt