Worked a little late last night, and had the opportunity to see that the $100 "NiteRider" headlight was probably worth the purchase price.

It takes some getting used to, though, and perhaps some adjusting; you get about a 12-foot circle of light when it's focused about 30 feet ahead of you.

While I'd rather not ride in the dark, it does work prettty well, so it was a good thing I bought the light last week.

Nice seven-mile ride last night, Walker-> Valley Ford -> Pepper. Walker Road was a nice discovery - seems to be a major hawk hangout. I've seen as many as seven hawks in the 2.8-mile stretch. Pretty good-sized hill in the middle, decent sunset there yesterday.

Not too bad on the moisture front this morning -- only stopped twice to clean the glasses. Think I might be able to find a helmet that has a built-in visor to deflect some of that. Seems like the possibilities are endless for additional spending, but what I've bought so far has been worthwhile. MUCH more confidence, that truly or in my imagination, most drivers on Skillman are gonna see me. Doesn't make me ride out in the middle or anything, but at least I feel somewhat less that I'm taking my life in my hands even when I'm so far to the right I'm practically riding in the ditch.

At any rate, REALLY don't want to lose the amount of 'muscle tone' and biking skill and mental attitude improvement I've gotten from 400 miles riding this past summer. As long as I'm riding, I'm counteracting the effects of smoking and drinking on this old body...

More often than not, rain around here is not much worse than today's, so maybe I can still get my three a week throughout.