Dark Mornings

[Moodyman]

I don't like them. I wanted to get out on my bike this morning, but it was dark and misty

I do have lights, but I didn't want to chance it with mist as well. I've always thought of cycling in the dark as something you do because you've no option, rather than something you choose to do. Even with lights and reflective gear, cyclists just aren't terribly visible in the dark.

Am I worrying over nothing? I hope so because by the time the sun is up early enough for me (it needs to be up for about 6.15am) it'll be the middle of the Easter holidays and I won't be able to go out anyway.

That's interesting. I feel safer during winter commuting that I do in summer.

 

[Thelma]

Perhaps I'm just remembering the ones that have scared me half to death by wearing all black and having no lights. Or helmets, funnily enough.

 

[alci4]

being a postie my morning commute is mostly in the dark and i love it

half five, hardly any traffic, awsome time to ride

 

[Thelma]

I've ordered a jacket. I know it'll be light again in a few weeks, but I still think it's worth it. My first bit of actual kit...

 

[Norm]

I've ordered a jacket. I know it'll be light again in a few weeks, but I still think it's worth it. My first bit of actual kit...

Sweet, Thelma, it's an absolute blast.

I have to say I can't stand those head torches. They might well be great for the wearer but they are at best annoying and at worst blinding for other road users (including me).

I reckon the very best thing any cyclist can do for visibility on the road at night is to look like a 'proper' cyclist not a Christmas tree. Drivers don't expect to see Christmas trees in the road so don't see them.

It's an emotive subject. I like to be identified as a cyclist, in general, but I have a powerful head torch (and two small Knog Frog flashers) which is very useful to ensure anyone that I glance towards has no option but to see me.

At the same time, I am very, very conscious of the opportunity for the head torch to be an aggravation for other road users, so I am always aware of where I'm looking when there are other vehicles about.

 

[fossyant]

Just come back from 26 miles in the dark, out of rush hour, down lots of lanes - great. Drivers stayed well clear of me, and even got flashed because I had my two Hope 1's on max.... what does he expect, it was pitch black, middle of no-where

Nice to ride in the dark without the traffic, just me, my lights and the whoosh of the tyres.

 

[cyberknight]

Just come back from 26 miles in the dark, out of rush hour, down lots of lanes - great. Drivers stayed well clear of me, and even got flashed because I had my two Hope 1's on max.... what does he expect, it was pitch black, middle of no-where

Nice to ride in the dark without the traffic, just me, my lights and the whoosh of the tyres.

+1 i have a magcshine 900 lumen model and i sometimes get flashed by drivers, some one on a bike thought i was a car with only 1 headlight. Along with one of those high power AAA lights as back up set to flash, then 3 1/2 watt flashers on the back + reflective stickers on the rack+reflector+ stickers on the helmet+reflective s on the panniers+ the reflective wheel things that go on the spokes+ canary yellow jacket with reflective trim.. you get the idea ......

You really need to stand out on the back roads as other vehicles can be coming down the road at 60 mph + and you really need to give them as much notice of your presence as you can, it is no good expecting them to be able to give you room in the split seconds they will have if you go ninja.

As for not seeing me in the dark? as you can guess i cannot remember the last time i had a close overtake in the dark.The rear flashers are visible from 1/2 mile ( if i remember rightly) , the reflective s bounce a lot of light back to the drivers eyes from their own lights and the front light gives off so much light you are not going to miss it .

 

[marinyork]

Am I worrying over nothing? I hope so because by the time the sun is up early enough for me (it needs to be up for about 6.15am) it'll be the middle of the Easter holidays and I won't be able to go out anyway.

You're worrying needlessly, on most mornings it's all right about 15 minutes before sunrise. In anycase you only have to use lights during 'night' and 'Night (the hours of darkness) is defined as the period between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise).' i.e. very approximately the other side of dawn/dusk. Get something like a smart 1/2 for your rear and you'll be absolutely fine.

 

[Thelma]

I went out at about 6.15 this morning and it was nowhere near true darkness. It was, however, fantastic! I squeezed 2 miles in, with lights and a warm jumper, before heading home for breakfast (stale bran flakes) and off to work.

Can't wait to get out again. It's the highlight of my day at the moment.

 

[Norm]

'Night (the hours of darkness) is defined as the period between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise).' i.e. very approximately the other side of dawn/dusk.

I thought the same but something posted elsewhere on CC made me look up the legislation...

24.—(1) Save as provided in paragraphs (5) and (9), no person shall–(a)use, or cause or permit to be used, on a road any vehicle which is in motion–

(i)between sunset and sunrise, or

(ii)in seriously reduced visibility between sunrise and sunset; or

(b)allow to remain at rest, or cause or permit to be allowed to remain at rest, on a road any vehicle between sunset and sunrise

unless every front position lamp, rear position lamp, rear registration plate lamp, side marker lamp and end-outline marker lamp with which the vehicle is required by these Regulations to be fitted is kept lit and unobscured.

...which I interpret as being sunrise and sunset without the 30 minute period.

 

[snapper_37]

That's interesting. I feel safer during winter commuting that I do in summer.

+ 1

I also prefer cycling in the dark. You will soon get used to it and get more confident Thelma - by which time, it will be getting light at 3 a.m.!!!!

 

[Banjo]

I seem to find overtaking cars give me a bit more room in the dark, On my commuter bike I have 2 back lights one on the back of the carrier rack the other on the back of the right side pannier. This gives the impression that the bike is further out in the road than it really is.

I also have two on the front, one fixed one flashing.I am allways more concerned about plonkers pulling out of side streets than cars coming from behind.