My first time riding in the dark...

[Cycleconvert]

Tonight will be my first time commuting home in the pitch black (last week I was on holiday) and i'm just a little bit nervous.

Although I have good lights and reflective clothing, my route is mostly down unlit rural roads with speed limits of 50mph with a couple of villages to go through. I know the route well but I am sure everything looks different in the dark and I am worried about being blinded by peoples full beams.

Does anyone have any tips/encouragement for cycling in the dark?

 

[Kies]

Take it easy, stop worrying and enjoy.

 

[HLaB]

I quite often go out into the rural area in the dark and if anything the few drivers I do encounter are even more cautious when passing (giving me plenty of room). You do occaisionally get somebody who wont dip their lights but that happens more on main road and you don't have to look directly at them but use their light to let you clearly see the verge. I find a cycling cap or a peak helps you filter out their beam. There's great sounds, and widlife around in that time too, enjoy.

 

[Koga]

As above, with the addition : if you haven't got one, get a big light (something like Cree X-ML T6) and cars will switch from high to normal beam. If you have good lights, enjoy even more and don't look into their lights, look down slightly to the left to see the edge of the road/

 

[ClaireSaud]

My first commute in the dark was only a week or so ago. I was nervous too but now I really enjoy it - don't worry, just take it steady and enjoy the ride. I would also highly recommend the Cree X-ML T6.

 

[Cycleconvert]

My front light is a MagicShine which can be as bright as 2200 lumens which can be dimmed so I don't blind people myself. They are angled right so that should not be a problem.

Thanks for the advice and encouragement so far!

 

[Koga]

My front light is a MagicShine which can be as bright as 2200 lumens which can be dimmed so I don't blind people myself. They are angled right so that should not be a problem.

Thanks for the advice and encouragement so far!

You will be fine with that. If they don't switch to normal lights, re adjust your set-up slightly until they do !

 

[HorTs]

I would say that if you are wearing hi-vis clothing then you are a lot more visible than to a car with its headlights than you might think. So in the dark you will stick out, this doesn't of course help if the driver isn't paying attention or around bends but you have that issue in the light as well.

If I hear a car approaching quicker than I might like to be passed I will often pull over. More often than not the drivers will thank me for doing so.

 

[fossyant]

It's actually good fun when there are no street lights.

 

[hennbell]

Based on the title I thought this was about something else, mines was with my cousin at a wedding in the cloak room.

But as long as I have a good set of lights and some reflective gear I feel safer riding in the dark than I do in the daylight. I am lit up like a Christmas tree at night, there is no way you can miss me.

 

[Cycleconvert]

Based on the title I thought this was about something else, mines was with my cousin at a wedding in the cloak room.

Title swiftly changed...

 

[ShipHill]

My ride home is only 1.1 miles (soon to increase to a massive 1.5 miles when I move) and it's down an unlit busy B road with lots of traffic in both directions.
I have to make a right turn at the bottom of a fairly steep hill. Depending on what the traffic is like I'll either take the right turn as normal or if I've got some clown up my arse and a big stream coming the other way, I'll pull over to the left where there's a handy wee lay-by and wait for the mayhem to subside.
However in the dark it's sometimes easier to see what's around you with the headlights etc.

 

[nilling]

It always a bit disconcerting riding at night but you soon get use to it. Last Fri I left work a bit later, missed the rush hour and really enjoyed riding in the cool night time air. I also have a torch for the unlit paths as it gives 'flood' beam pattern.

 

[fimm]

Reflectives, not hi vis, in the dark.
If you are running clipless pedals, then get some reflective ankle straps - reflective things going up and down say "cyclist" - actually, even if you have pedal reflectors, add some reflective ankle straps!

 

[Leaway2]

I find it is never "that dark" unless it is very cloudy. Take it easy, enjoy.