• Much as I love dynohub setups I used two B&M Ixon IQ lights mounted on a space bar hanging down from the stem. 4 AA batteries each and 8 spare AA batteries in the bag (not heavy if you splash out on Energizer Lithiums) got me through easily. Every control (and lots of shops along the way) sold AA batteries and you wouldn't have to wait long to find someone going past who could give you some.

    Just visible here: http://www.greenbank.org/audax/pbp_02.jpg (bike had bullhorns rather than drops).

    A lot of the time I could get away with running just one in the low power mode. Both on full power gives an impressive amount of light, great for descending (although my spin-fu was weak after the first day). During the 3rd night I came across an Italian who'd smashed up his only front light so I loaned him one of mine and gave him my address to post it back (luckily I met up with him at the finish and he was able to hand it back there and then). One light was easily enough but I had the second one more as a backup.

    The bike inspection requires backup lights, so even with a dynohub setup you'll need some form of backup front light (both lights need to be a bit better than a generic blinking white LED one).

    On the gripping hand, I'd probably go back to dynohub if I was doing it this year as I'd want something that can also charge a storage battery during the day so I've always got something to charge 'phone and GPS too.

    I've got a spare SON wheel (built into a Mavic Open Pro) and a B&M IQ Fly light somewhere too.

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