Bright idea lights the way for night bikers (From Craven Herald)
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Silsden man invents new night light for cyclists
4:50pm Saturday 14th May 2011 in News
INVENTION: Christopher Hadaway Troutie with one of his lights, which he claims are the brightest on the market
Christopher Hadaway Troutie has lit up the lives of night mountain bike riders.
His invention of a night light – he claims brighter than any other on the market – has been so impressive it is used in dog sled racing in Scandinavia.
His Liberator light is also being tested by Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association’s dog rescue handler.
Chris, 55, of Silsden, a floor layer by day, gets out on the fells on his mountain bike for leisure.
He shares his hobby with his love of engineering and enjoys working at his milling machine.
It was there that he designed the housing and fitments for a new night light.
“I started making LED lights because manufacturers were charging an arm and a leg,” he said. “I later found I could make them better and cheaper.
“Word spread about how bright they were and people wanted more and demand was more than I could knock out in the garage.
“So I contacted Kadel Engineering in Keighley, and with help from Paul Rollins, they turn out the housing and I assemble the lights.”
His Liberator sells at £295, cheaper than most of the night lights of the same standard, some of which retail at as much as £800.
“I’m not making a living out of this – I’d like to – but I enjoy it,” said Chris, a father of two girls.
Chris has a website at troutie.com and also can be contacted on troutie@blueyonder.co.uk.
