Night Ride

[totallyfixed]

One of my / our all time favourite things is to ride at night, the darker the better. Particularly good on still nights when the absence of any wind allows you to hear all those night noises, I enjoy stopping by woods and switching my lights off for a few minutes, some of the sounds are amazing. I suppose we ride as much as 90 miles or more in the dark some weeks after the clocks go back. Last week a big fox virtually jumped over my front wheel, fantastic, and the owls are starting to get vocal now.
Cars are rare on our lanes at night [they are pretty rare during the day] so it really is quiet,our front lights are powerful enough to make any other vehicle dip their lights before we have come in to sight, we also have main beam and dip on ours.
Much, much safer riding rural roads at night than daytime, in fact I would say a rear light is less of an issue, any motor vehicle would spot you easily on main beam. Put simply, the darker it gets, the less rear light you need.

 

[Sbudge]

One of my / our all time favourite things is to ride at night, the darker the better. Particularly good on still nights when the absence of any wind allows you to hear all those night noises, I enjoy stopping by woods and switching my lights off for a few minutes, some of the sounds are amazing. I suppose we ride as much as 90 miles or more in the dark some weeks after the clocks go back. Last week a big fox virtually jumped over my front wheel, fantastic, and the owls are starting to get vocal now.
Cars are rare on our lanes at night [they are pretty rare during the day] so it really is quiet,our front lights are powerful enough to make any other vehicle dip their lights before we have come in to sight, we also have main beam and dip on ours.
Much, much safer riding rural roads at night than daytime, in fact I would say a rear light is less of an issue, any motor vehicle would spot you easily on main beam. Put simply, the darker it gets, the less rear light you need.

I envy you, we probably get a couple of 'high-speed heroes' most Saturday nights. Many of the lanes are sunken and/or well overhung with trees. It's not unusual to find evidence of deer vs car in the morning alas.

 

[Sim2003]

@leedsmick , Fair play to you for giving it a go . Maybe it is more a case of having those right roads around you to really enjoy it.

 

[leedsmick]

cheers. i'm going to give it another go, a different route and wear my glasses!

 

[Sim2003]

try some of those reflective clips you gets for around your lower leg. they look brill when lit up because of how they move.

 

[mick1836]

I love riding at night but good (multiple) lights are a must.

What like these?

 

[Cush]

I got two dog collars from Lidl yesterday (the long plastic tube one's) These were bought to supplement the dogs normal collars on a night. I will be seeing if I can get some more as soon as I am in town again. I will be putting one on the bike and another in my pannier / rucksack for emergency use.

 

[Jody]

Quite like riding at night, only problem being safety of riding off road alone if anything goes wrong or get mugged for my bike. Clocking speed downhill through woodland that is pitch black adds a bit more of a buzz than normal.

I tend to find the same as others, If on the road, that drivers leave a lot more space and be a lot more courteous at night.

 

[Pikey]

I really like riding at night, but it scares the crap out of me on my own down the lanes.
Just gonna keep on doing it this year til I either stop being scared or get hacked to death by a lunatic.

Think I'm less scared now I have a trike.
Had the best ride in the pitch black tonight, triking along happily, only sh1t myself for the first ten minutes or so.

Saw pheasants, bats and foxes...

Would have missed all that if I'd stayed in on the rollers with Netflix.

 

[Cold]

I enjoy riding at night stick to the city roads but there is something very calming about cycling in the dark.

 

[howard2107]

Well my Tuesday ride went to poo. The other 2 riders cancelled on me and my parents were over. So I have decided to try out a night ride tonight.

I am pretty use to riding the early hours for my commute but its a pretty short ride and tonight I aim to visit the countryside in the dark (my girlfriend thinks I am mental). Setting off at 12-1ish . Not fussed about the mileage to be fair may even just go round a few streets etc I have never been down. May even stop for a photo.

Do many others of you prefer a night time ride ?. Also If I am not about on here for a few days I am probably dead lol.

You have a very sensible girlfirend . I gave up on night rides after hitting a pothole. I have the luxury of working form home, so i go out in the afternoons or mornings, and work during the dark miserable evenings, although we have had neither yet.

 

[AllForbes]

I actually really enjoy night riding. I feel like it is a lot more peaceful and a lot more clam. When I do go night riding though I usually have one other person with me or I go on my own. Its only during the days where I will go to meets and ride with people. Plus during night the whether is amazing.

 

[User16625]

What like these?

Not like those. Incorrect use of colours.

 

[LocalLad]

My first proper night ride tonight.

The first half was amazing, so quiet and peaceful, and felt safe with the visibility afforded by my new Cree light.

Unfortunately, at the furthest point from home, I realized the battery indicator on the light was 1/3. To make sure I got back, had to dim the light down...a touch scary!

Looks like I'm buying another light that I can put on the other bike, and then take two batteries with me.

 

[the_craig]

Good stuff @LocalLad

I was the same. I had bought a Cree T6 from eBay for the price of a takeaway and decided to try it out on the local back roads. I had no issues with the light. I'm fairly familiar with the route so know the major lumps and bumps to avoid.

I only seen 12 cars while I was out but was conscious that the light could dazzle them, so I made an effort to dip it lower towards the road.

Being out in the dark was a nice experience but sadly I did not see any wildlife.

Although I do have one issue, I want more lights. Have I let a genie out the bottle by saying that...