Kelly;

I have a SON dynohub, the headlight is a B&M Luxos U and the taillight is described as "B&M TL Toplight Line Plus Brake Tec pulsing." I have 19,000 miles on that bike since 2015, and have always had those lights on it. Basically I run lights 24/7. The dynohub and lights have all functioned well since I got them (except see below).

I really like having a dynohub and not having to think about the lights. When the front wheel is rolling, I have lights. There are probably brighter and better lights now, but these were pretty good when I got them in 2015. There is a lot of technology in them, and in 2015 they were billed as being the world's most advanced bicycle lights. During the day the headlight is running a daytime-running-light, and that changes at night. Also, when traveling really slow, most of the light is directed to the sides and just a little in front - when my speed hits about 9 mph then the light is directed more to the front so you can see farther at speed. My taillight has a brakelight function built in - when you start slowing down, it senses the dynohub putting out less pulses and that causes the taillight to light up brighter, just like a car brakelight. The headlight has a sort of "bright light" function - I can cause the output to go from 70 lumens to 90 lumens by pushing a button - for an oncoming car it looks like I "flashed my brights" at them - this is helpful when a car is coming at me and blinding me with bright lights. The headlight has an attachment cable that I can use to charge anything via USB. I thought I might really use this, but honestly it's just kind of a gimmick - it does work, but you don't have enough power to run lights and charge so you have to choose - and you don't get a lot of charge.

There is an issue with my taillight that took me a while to figure out. When the temperature is really hot (85 degrees seems to be the cutoff), my taillight will light up for about 5 minutes and then quit. Once I come to a complete stop, and then take off again, the taillight comes on but will again go off in about 5 minutes. Again, this only happens when the temperature is 85 degrees or higher - and that's a pretty exact number, if it's 83 degrees outside I don't have that problem. Fortunately, it's only that hot in the daytime when I don't need the lights anyway. I suspect there is some issue with a heatsink in the light causing it to shut off. When I first got the lights and noticed that happening, I returned both the headlight and the taillight and replaced them with new ones - and still had that problem. So it appears to have been a design issue with those lights in 2015. (the taillight is wired to the headlight, the headlight controls the taillight, so that's why I had to return them both).

Peter White's website has the best overall info on lights - it's truly educational. https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/lightingsystems.php

Buddy

I started out . . . elsewhere . . . reading about your Western Express ride - I did not see any comment as to why you were riding that area in the heat of August. You did run into other riders - so you weren't the only ones!

That trip and this one, you did plenty of before sunrise riding. What lights do you run, to see/be seen in the total darkness?

Thanks,

Kelly

Well done, so many obstacles overcome and you pushed through, very inspirational. Glad you saved the 'Warriors Death' for another far flung cycling trip.

Bud….you are amazing and everyone has had their lives enriched by following your blog. I know I have. Seeing what you and Andy have been doing each day has given my life some purpose!!! These last two posts makes me feel sort of wistful, knowing the journey has reached its end. It’s sort of like watching the last episode of M.A.S.H. Anywho, I’ll get over it. I hope you have a nice second breakfast at the airport….please treat yourself to 🍻 🍔 🍟 …. Compliments of Doc.

Congratulations on a great ride and a great journal!

Love that barista.

Really an amazing and inspiring story! Hope you continue to hang in there!

Bud! All the congratulations in the world to you and Andy on a truly remarkable accomplishment! How many times have I felt on shaky ground, wondering if this could be pulled off... And now, well ... you’ve both proved what can be accomplished when you set your mind to it... Have a good flight back and all the best as time rolls on!!

Congratulations, Buddy, on your achievement. We have enjoyed your journal and will miss our daily "Where's Buddy?" fix. I'm sorry that we never got to meet in person, but we feel as if we have gotten to know you through the blog and our shared experiences. Have safe trip home and we'll look forward to your next tour!
Jeanna and Kerry

Let me add my congratulations! Well done, and a great journal that I’ll miss. You’ve completed a ride I’ll probably never do, and it’s been a pleasure and a privilege to ride along with you!

Major congrats to both you and Doc. I think I would have gone Doc's route in similar circumstances, but I seriously admire your determination to find an alternate route to Anacourte no matter what it took. It would have been so much easier to just take Highway 2 down to it's terminus and ridden to the Puget Sound in Seattle.

Anyway, I truly enjoyed meeting you guys in the western Wisconsin hills near the Mississippi River.

Until we meet again,
Greg

Well done Buddy!

Thanks Scott! A guy from Oklahoma wouldn't know - I assumed that any large snow-covered peak had to be Ranier - now that I know I will change the caption to be correct. Best wishes,

Buddy Hall

Congratulations, Dad! Quite an amazing and impressive accomplishment…again. Very proud. Now, come home! I have 3 little girls very excited to see you.

Bud it’s really hard not to get chocked up! But that’s ok! What an experience this has been for you and Andy and all of the armchair bicyclists 🚴🏼‍♀️ along for the ride. The nice couple at the souvenir shop were the icing on the cake. Now I look forward to the last posting. Have a really well deserved rest day and a safe flight home. Once again, thank you 🙏🏾!!!!