Cycling at night

[Tank63]

i know at this time of year a lot of people commute to work when it's dark. But do people go out just to have a bike ride when it's dark?
I'm not that confident at riding on the roads and usually use nature tracks near me and try to use the road as little as possible. However as I work during the day it only leaves me with weekends which I find frustrating. I have had a couple of close shaves when on the road which has unsettled me. But I'm thinking of trying a evening ride but finding my anxiety getting the better of me.

 

[the_mikey]

Anxiety is a normal response to the prospect of death at the hands of someone who isn't expecting to see you so probably won't see you. My solution is to ride routes used heavily by cycle commuters in the evening, use good lights and retro-reflectives, never ever ever wear all black, and hopefully you'll find yourself riding at night and not entirely alone in the dark.​

 

[I like Skol]

Get some lights and do it. It is really satisfying, especially when you go somewhere special.....

www.cyclechat.net/threads/photos-atop-your-favourite-climbs.195291/page-12#post-4149807

 

[I like Skol]

never ever ever wear all black,

Oops! I do this all the time. It is lights that get you seen (black cars don't seem to be advised not to go out at night!). Just get good lights and maybe two at the front and two at the back. These don't have to be eye burners (IMO these are really rude and also counter productive) but need to be clearly visible, so no dim-glow flat battery style cheap LED pound shop crap!

 

[johnnyb47]

I go out for evening rides when its dark. I find the thought of it more daunting than actually doing it. Just make sure you have some good lights and reflective clothing and you'll be just fine. Pick your routes wisely to were there is less traffic. Granted I would prefer to cycle in day light hours but as usual life style dictates what i can and cannot do.

 

[Dogtrousers]

But do people go out just to have a bike ride when it's dark?

Well this lot do ...
http://fridaynightridetothecoast.blogspot.co.uk/p/welcome.html


When riding on my own my rides often start before sunup or (sometimes and) finish after sundown.

If you really feel anxious, then maybe give it a miss, or just do a shorter, quieter ride.

 

[I like Skol]

Pick your routes wisely to were there is less traffic

Weird, but I feel more comfortable where there is loads of traffic. Quiet country roads with loons batting along at 80-90 mph are what I worry about (daytime and at night.

 

[13 rider]

If you ride in the dark you can see traffic coming in advance both towards and from behind so your not suddenly surprised and if you have a reasonable set of lights you should be really fixable to traffic . Just make sure your front light is pointing slightly downwards do not to dazzle other road users . Give it ago you might just really enjoy it

 

[RoubaixCube]

never ever ever wear all black​

this is more of a personal thing... I do wear all black but I make sure the clothing i wear has reflective patches/piping and I have extra lights including one attached to the back of my helmet so drivers can see me 'above traffic' as they might not be able to see the rear light thats attached to my seatpost.

The grim reality is, you could be lit up like a christmas tree and some idiot will still hit you anyway because he's too busy fiddling with his mobile phone. So in essence it doesnt matter what you wear. Just be alert, be vigilant with whats going on around you. A lot of accidents can be avoided by shoulder checking -- something that in my experience of commuting, people just dont seem to do. I have been almost taken out quite a few times by other cyclists who dont shoulder check.

 

[Big Andy]

See if you can find a local cycling group. Im in one in Leicester that goes out for about 20 miles every Wednesday all year round.

 

[mjr]

I sometimes go out for a ride in the evening, plus there are evening group rides including KLWNBUG, CamRideHome, Friday Night Rides and more. Dunwich Dynamo, anyone?

German spec steady lights front and back, reflectors, don't matter what you wear.

 

[NorthernDave]

It can be great fun cycling at night.
Get away from the city and onto some quiet country lanes or bridleways, with a decent front light (don't spend more than you have to on a rear light - Poundland ones are more than adequate to go on the back) and enjoy it.
Better still, find the right spot and turn the light off and cycle by moonlight. Just keep an eye out for cars approaching.

 

[steveindenmark]

I like to ride by myself at night in winter. Keeping warm is the hard thing because as soon as the sun goes it gets cold. I use 2 lights at the front and 2 at the rear. A head torch is a big help if you break down as is a puncture repair kit. If possible you need someones phone number who can come and get you if you get into real trouble. You dont want to be out on cold winter roads without some kind of rescue plan. It can be deadly.

Riding at night in winter is great as long as the roads are dry.

 

[psmiffy]

So in essence it doesnt matter what you wear. /QUOTE]

Thats a loda rubbish - on my early morning commute i often regulaly saw the same two cyclists - the one in black with all the lights i only ever saw late against the traffic ahead - the one with no lights and a good hi viz class 3 waistcoat i could see very early - it all depends on the circumstances - personally if i am not in an urban situation - then its lights and retro-relectives

 

[r04DiE]

i know at this time of year a lot of people commute to work when it's dark. But do people go out just to have a bike ride when it's dark?
I'm not that confident at riding on the roads and usually use nature tracks near me and try to use the road as little as possible. However as I work during the day it only leaves me with weekends which I find frustrating. I have had a couple of close shaves when on the road which has unsettled me. But I'm thinking of trying a evening ride but finding my anxiety getting the better of me.

More or less the last 14km of my commute home is in the pitch black on a fairly straight, but fairly busy road. I like the straight roads in the dark, since motorists have longer to see you. As others have said, get yourself some decent lights and that will go a long way to lessen your anxiety. Nothing quite like looking behind to see a big, pulsing pool of red light spilling out behind you