Re: RC: Re: Riding in the dark?

[jlong@mti.net (Joe Long)]

On Sun, 17 Oct 1999 12:48:04 -0400, "Marlana" <lrp@tp.net> wrote:

>I have a real nice, small Maglite (2 AA battery sized) that has 2 colored
>lenses w/ it. Yellow and red. I have a nylon holster and a wrist loop for it
>(that I attach to my belt, not my wrist) and that works fine at nite
>(adjustable beam width). If I have to drop it to grab the reins w/ both
>hands, it's attached to me. The military has a clip on flashlight that also
>has a red lens, so that might work, if the beam is wide enough to cover the
>whole ground in front of the horse.

I recommend this.  Nearly all of the night riding I did after the
first couple of times, all I carried (other than occasionally a
glowstick on the breast collar) was one of these mini-mags.  I usually
left it off, but when needed it could be adjusted for a wide beam that
was bright enough to see the ground but not bright enough to ruin my
night vision, or focused down to a spot to look down the trail for a
ribbon.

However, *always* carry a spare -- a complete spare mini-mag
flashlight, that is.  The bulb breaks easily and it can be very
difficult to replace the bulb in the dark!

Now for a gripe (sorry):  for those of you who *must* use a bright
light, or worst of all a helmet light, please respect the night vision
of the other riders you encounter.  Probably the worst thing you can
do IMO is follow another rider with a helmet light on -- the harsh
bouncing shadows that will cast in front of the horse and rider you're
following will cause vertigo, disorientation, and loss of night
vision.  It's not only discourteous but actually dangerous to that
horse and rider. If you are following another rider, *please* turn
your helmet light off!!!!!!!!!!

-- 

Joe Long
jlong@mti.net
http://www.mti.net     Business
http://www.rnbw.com    Personal


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