mjr
Comfy armchair to one person & a plank to the next
- Location
- mostly Norfolk, sometimes Somerset
Cycling at night
- Thread starter Tank63
- Start date
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gavgav
Legendary Member
I used to be scared of night riding, however I've got over it, since getting a pair of bright but fairly expensive lights. To me the cost is no issue when my safety is at stake. I find I get wider passes from motorists on the country lanes, when riding with lights in the dark as well.
Stephen Piper
Veteran
- Location
- Romney Marsh, Kent
I was riding off road at night a fair amount last winter, no traffic and lovely and muddy at times.
Mrs M
Guru
- Location
- Aberdeenshire
I've just started my evening rides again and quite enjoying them.
Wearing a night vision jacket that's reflective, lights on the bike and reflective strip on tyres.
Wearing a night vision jacket that's reflective, lights on the bike and reflective strip on tyres.
I like to ride at night on a mixture of lit and unlit roads to mix it up a bit. I have a cheap, but good, Wiggle Lifeline front light that lets me see in front well and a Lezyne rear light.
Never had problems being seen and all passes are as wide if not wider than during the day. The biggest issues I have are suicidal rabbits, the odd deer and a tendency to read morbid histories of some of the very dark places I am about to ride through (once that last street light has been passed, I always start to feel very cold for some reason!)
Never had problems being seen and all passes are as wide if not wider than during the day. The biggest issues I have are suicidal rabbits, the odd deer and a tendency to read morbid histories of some of the very dark places I am about to ride through (once that last street light has been passed, I always start to feel very cold for some reason!)
RoubaixCube
~Tribanese~
- Location
- London, UK
Each to their own. My commute home starts after 8pm most days, and i run some pretty bright tail lights. But just as i said -- it doesnt matter what you wear, some guy will still hit you anyway, be it somebody behind the wheel of a motor vehicle or another cyclist who might not be paying attention to whats going on in front of them.
Then theres the whole debate going on CC if hi-viz actually makes any difference at all and the general consensus says not a whole lot.
Wear what you want so long as you've got the basics covered, have your wits about you but above all, just enjoy the ride.
I like Skol
A Minging Manc...
- Location
- Sunny Ashton-under-Lyne
Sorry but how do you define 'good' retro reflective clothing?
My own experimentation prancing around in front of a cars headlights in the dark while wearing various reflective garments has shown that unless directly in front of the cars full beam or low enough to be in the dipped light beam (i.e lying down in the road) then reflectives have limited usefulness!
I am far from witless!
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- Location
- Glasgow
Riding at night time is magic, very late or very early morning is best, but I appreciate that your work pattern maybe does not allow you time for this.
RoubaixCube
~Tribanese~
- Location
- London, UK
[QUOTE 4498687, member: 259"]I don't think there's much disagreement that hi viz makes no difference at night, it's the reflective bits which are added to hiviz stuff that people see. If they bother looking...[/QUOTE]
I am covered in refective patches/piping most of the time. its on my tights, on my jersey, on my shoes, on my bag (Deuter Race EXP Air) --- Apart from the bag which is a mix of black and white, all my clothing is black. Ive been commuting by bicycle almost two years now and in london above all places and despite a few close calls every now and again Im still alive to tell the tale.
I am covered in refective patches/piping most of the time. its on my tights, on my jersey, on my shoes, on my bag (Deuter Race EXP Air) --- Apart from the bag which is a mix of black and white, all my clothing is black. Ive been commuting by bicycle almost two years now and in london above all places and despite a few close calls every now and again Im still alive to tell the tale.
mjr
Comfy armchair to one person & a plank to the next
- Location
- mostly Norfolk, sometimes Somerset
Why don't you try to find some robust evidence that it offers any benefit to cyclists more than the legally-required reflectors? (Reflectors which not all cyclists have...)
You could just say you've not had your eyes tested recently
It's great fun. Tip from me -- make sure you know how your lights work. The first time I did it I entered an unlit stretch covered with trees and went to put my front light on its most powerful beam. I accidentally turned it off and had a very panicky few moments trying to stop, turn it back on and not crash!
classic33
Leg End Member
[QUOTE 4498665, member: 259"]The problem for me is things like potholes, which can take you unawares, even with good lights.a and dead badgers.
[/QUOTE]
Or the odd foot.
"Trick" round here, comes up every few years is the hedgehog in the road. The innards removed and replaced with something a bit more solid. Aimed more at car drivers, but you've still to avoid them.
[/QUOTE]Or the odd foot.
"Trick" round here, comes up every few years is the hedgehog in the road. The innards removed and replaced with something a bit more solid. Aimed more at car drivers, but you've still to avoid them.
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flake99please
We all scream for ice cream
- Location
- Edinburgh
If you want reflective, then try some of the ProViz360 gear.
steveindenmark
Legendary Member
My ride to work st 5.30am is 12 miles and it is all pitch black. I always wear something reflective. It would be crazy not to.
Anybody who knocks someone for the safety measures they decide to take is an idiot in my view.
Anybody who knocks someone for the safety measures they decide to take is an idiot in my view.
