Night cycling...

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Ellis456

New Member
Location
Dartford, Kent
Horrible, went out tonight for a cycle, found my front torch sucks down an unlit road so need a new front light, found out camera doesn't record very well at night and doesn't catch the reg plates. Also found out people drive like maniacs at night, had 5 close incidents thats double then in the day I normally get!.




So not anymore unless I absolutely have to.




On a plus people give you a wider berth at night.
 

TobyM

Senior Member
I have to agree - I hate night cycling too. If lights weren't so damn expensive for anything worth having it wouldn't be a problem! I recently cycled from Lydney up through the forest of dean at night (camping trip - caught the train to Lydney on a Friday night) and it was horrible. The roads seem endless and it can be difficult to see approaching hills - and then, when a car comes, they nearly always shoot past you or cut you up. On the plus side, I rather enjoyed following a disused railway which had been converted into an offroad cycle track in the pitch black - wasn't until the day after we realised there was a really steep drop either side!

I don't think I'll be doing much more night cycling if I can help it though!
 

the snail

Guru
Location
Chippenham
I rode back from Bath the other night on the A4. My halfords lights were ok, I could just about see where I was going, and I was surprised that nearly all the drivers dipped their lights as soon as I was in view. I would have preferred that cars had slowed down a bit when they overtook, but that's how it goes. Overall it was an enjoyable ride, and I saw a tawny owl. I find night rides relaxing, I'd like to do more, but YMMV I suppose.
 

fossyant

Ride It Like You Stole It!
Location
South Manchester
Love it, especially a training ride out of rush hour. Me and my Hope 1's (two) and a dark lane... It's the only real chance you get at using the power. PS get some good lights....
 
Night riding on the quiet Lancashire lanes is good fun. I have the 4 LED Hope lights, you can see really well and oncoming cars often slow down as they think its a motorbike coming at them. No problem with cars, just one suicidal owl intent on it's tea!
We can always go up on't moors on't mountain bikes if the mood takes us as well. Fabulous views of the
lightsd of Manchester, Liverpool and Bolton....
 

Norm

Guest
Night riding is the best. Get a decent light on your bike and a decent light on your head and you will find pleasures you didn't previously dream about.

Screw the camera, good lights will get you all the space you need.
 
Night riding is the best. Get a decent light on your bike and a decent light on your head and you will find pleasures you didn't previously dream about.

Screw the camera, good lights will get you all the space you need.

+1 And get a decent bright rear light. It has a big effect on motorists who tend to slow down and give you more room IME. I use the Smart 1/2W one. It can be quite mesmerizing being cocooned in your own little bubble of light with blackness beyond.
 

Norm

Guest
+1 And get a decent bright rear light. It has a big effect on motorists who tend to slow down and give you more room IME. I use the Smart 1/2W one.
Indeed, but I'm trying not to put Ellis off. I know that I've gone a tad OTT on the lighting, but the Smart 1/2 watt's are excellent.

I've got two Smarts and an Exposure Flares on the back of the bike, and a Knog Frog and an Exposure RedEye on the back of the head.
 

Globalti

Legendary Member
Been night riding with my mountain bike club for years. Nothing beats being out on the fells in the dark, also at night you can get away with some quite cheeky trail riding as well.
 

skudupnorth

Cycling Skoda lover
I have Niterider's up front and a mix of Smart (great power and brightness for the money) and Cateye at the rear at different levels on the bike and have no real extra problems.
The Niterider's are good at lighting up front but have a short battery life on full chat so not really good for long distance commutes over 3 hours.The strope mode on them does clear traffic though ! :whistle:

I enjoy riding at night,but it's your choice if you feel safe enough to do so.Try it with possibly better lights,you might see some better driving attitudes by the tin box drivers.

If you do get to enjoy it more and ride out in the country....watch out for owls and other critters of the night....they like moving objects too !!!:biggrin:
 

Globalti

Legendary Member
I took my camera one night:

Nightride121207003.jpg





Nightride121207002.jpg
 

Globalti

Legendary Member
Both taken at Hurstwood reservoir near Worsthorne, Lancashire. Picture 1 is on the Gorple Road,which is an amazing track that drops from the fells straight down into the village, a hooligans' delight!
 
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