Here are a few tips to think about in these last few days before Great Glen.

1. Batteries will not accept a full charge if they have not been used for awhile (I just re-learned this leasson). After a few charge/discharge cycles the battery should return to full capacity. So run your battery down and recharge it a few times early this week. You should not run it completely dead, just until the light starts to fade.

2. Get to know your light. From a full charge, time how long it takes for the lights to dim. Also time how long it takes to fully charge your battery.

3. Race simulation. From a full charge simulate your race strategy. For a two person team doing single laps, you will probably have your light on for an hour and then get 30-35 minutes of charge time. Repeat this cycle at home until the light dims during the on cycle. How long did it take? If you get 9 hours you should be all set with one battery.

4. The lights get hot! During any stationary test use caution. I set my light on a cookie sheet with a fan blowing on the light. Both to protect my house and my light.

5. In-race strategy. Burn only when you need to burn. You can probably get from and to camp with minimal light. If your light has settings, use them. Full power on the fast stuff, low beam on the climbs and slower singletrack. Maximize your charge time, plug in your battery as soon as possible after each lap.

How well your lighting sytem works is probably the most important part of a 24 event. Confidence in you system before the event will make your race much more relaxing. In a best case scenerio we would all have long burning HID's and two batteries. Since that is not the case for most of us, make sure you are getting the best out of what you have.

Time to go check my light, should be starting to fade soon.
 
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