DIY Bicycle Light

The naysayers (aka - Gibosama) say that it can't be done. That I should just cough up $300 or $400 smackers to get a brand name light like a Niterider or something. The naysayers also say that it can't be done at low cost or with good results...well...I'm up to the challenge!!!

I've been researching the possibility of building my own homemade bicycle light for a while now. So much so that last night, I went over to Home Depot and bought some of the base parts I need. Specifically, a MR16 20w 12V spot (15 degree) halogen bulb, and a 1-1/2 PVC sleeve and cap. The only other "big" items I need will be a ceramic light socket for the MR16, some connectors, and the most expensive item, a 13V or 14V rechargable battery and smart charger.

Now believe me, I didn't just dream this up. The following are just 1 or 2 of the 20 or so website showing PROOF that it can and WILL be done: DIY Bike Lights and Tim's MTB Light .

This project now even holds more urgency as just tonight, on my way home from a short spin out to Lagoon Drive, my Performance ViewPoint light really lost its "stuffing" about 1 mile from home! Hence I plan to scavenge some of the switching/wiring that came with the Performance light for my DIY light. Since the ViewPoint was a 6V system, it looks like the wires should work since it will actually be carrying LESS current with my switch over to 12V - so is what I read! (I'm no electrical engineer, in fact, I barely scraped up a "C" in Physics 272!)

Naysayers...stay tuned - with sunglasses! ;-)

This weekend's rides...

Sat. 12-24 - Christmas Eve,

Another really beautiful day for a bike ride - although, the air was a little more hazy than last week. I rode solo and did pretty much the same ride as last week but I added in about 10k more for a total of 105k in 4h 5m rt. I averaged 256w on Tantalus, vs 247w the week before, and 239 the week before that. So not bad...we'll see how the next couple of weeks go. After this long ride, I feel like I can pretty much eat "in peace" with regards to putting on too much calories!

Sun. 12-24 - Christmas Day,

Today I just went out for a late afternoon 1h spin around the neighborhood. Was really great riding today as there was very little traffic out. Merry Christmas everyone!

Last weekend's long rides...

Sat: 12/17/05

Last Saturday was an awesomely day for bike riding. As you can see, the weather was absolutely perfect with clear blue skies and a gentle cool (Kona) breeze.

After 2 loops on Lagoon Drive (near Honolulu International Airport) , me and my friend Darin did a loop of Tantalus then went out to Hawaii Kai and back home - almost 100k in about 3:45 (RT - ride time) or so.

I felt great as this was about my 4th or 5th ride over 3 hours since I got back from Japan. D didn't fair so well - he BONKED and had to catch a ride home with his brother...but in his defense, he would have had to ride uphill to get back home.

For a couple more pics of Sat and Sun's ride, click here: more pics!


Sun: 12/18/05

Oh how the weather can change over night!



Sunday's ride was suppose to be an ez recovery ride but...the ride ended up being REALLY hard because of the fatigue from yesterday ride and the SUPER strong winds! (Btw...it is very hard to do any kind of "easy-recovery" ride when the wind is blowing 35mph+)

It looked like a southerly storm was brewing as ominous clouds were everywhere and stiff Kona's were blowing hard off the south shore, so hard in fact, that several areas of the island experienced wind damage due to the strong winds. Oh well, a good enough reason to cut the ride short :-) as I just didn't have it either...

We'll see how I feel during tomorrow's long ride!

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