first night ride!

[oliver]

well i just did my first full darkness ride, full lights and full speed - so a success on that part

BUT there was just one slight problem... I had forgotten that it was Halloween, so upon arriving at the first village I was greeted be about 15-20 kids with silly string, don't know how but I managed to avoid the majority of the onslaught and emerged out the other side. luckily the at the second village there was only one main group that luckily had an adult with them, but on suddenly leaped out in front and said something like "trick or ahhh" as I swerved to avoid a nasty accident (10 stone cyclist at 15mph Vs child)

so I arrive back home slightly shaken but no permanent damage done, thinking should I have slowed/stopped when coming across a group of kids and then what should I have done!?!?!

 

[manualtypist]

Meh...you did all you could have done. It only comes around once a year I suppose. Though living/cycling in London means that I get to swerve past many people who randomly jump out in front of me...especially in some areas.
People never learn...

Night time riding is awesome..

 

[Dewi]

I always assume kids will act like idiots so easy of a little and be ready to brake/avoid but if anyone jumps out into the road they should understand there is a risk of getting hurt, even if it's 'just' a bike.

 

[sparrow101]

keep going at your existing pace, if they get knocked over in the road it's their own fault as they shouldn't be there,
it may sound a bit harsh but as i tell my kids if they're in the middle of the road and get run over tough

 

[Norm]

Great fun, isn't it. I was out last night, set off after sunset and had a great ride along the Thames. I didn't see anyone for over half an hour, even though I was riding between Maidenhead and Windsor, there were no dog-walkers, ramblers, fishermen, boats, no-one. Superb ride.

 

[slowmotion]

so I arrive back home slightly shaken but no permanent damage done, thinking should I have slowed/stopped when coming across a group of kids and then what should I have done!?!?!

Oh dear. You went out riding at Halloween without a scythe.

 

[gbs]

keep going at your existing pace, if they get knocked over in the road it's their own fault as they shouldn't be there,
it may sound a bit harsh but as i tell my kids if they're in the middle of the road and get run over tough

I assume you are trying to be funny; no matter how stupid or negligent the pedestrian may be you/we have no right to punish. If you are not convinced by the moral argument you may care to consider the risk to yourself of a fall at speed.