night riding

[Fab Foodie]

You must be brave or mad to want to cycle at night, thought only those brave souls who commuted by bike rode in the dark. The main danger is obvious i.e motor vehicles they are dangerous enough in broad daylight . I wouldn't even consider riding in the dark. Get yourself a turbo trainer , much safer

Utter bollocks.
Night riding, in particular urban night riding is an utter joy, less traffic, lots of stuff going on, wildlife, smells of resteraunts, looking into lit-up buildings than are normally inpenetrable and then after midnight the streets are normally clear and the world is yours.

Decent lighting, plenty reflectives and a few mates and then night rides, particularly all-nighters are one of the fairly undiscovered joys of cycling.

 

[slowmotion]

If you don't ride at night, how can you start drinking beer at 10am without a twinge of guilt?

 

[Hip Priest]

Other than commuting home in winter, on urban well-lit streets, I'd never done any night-riding. But last night I went out and did my first night ride on country lanes. My observations were:

- My rear light is excellent, so I felt safe from a visibility standpoint
- My front light is inadequate, so I could barely see where I was going
- Cars gave me LOADS of room
- It was nice and peaceful

I'm planning on getting a good front light so I can do it more often.

 

[RWright]

I think that would be more lights than 50km around me. I'd be worried about being mugged by a deer or Wild Boar.

A lot of deer in my area too. I forgot about those. I am much more cautious when descending and don't push nearly as hard as during the day.

 

[Fab Foodie]

A lot of deer in my area too. I forgot about those. I am much more cautious when descending and don't push nearly as hard as during the day.

We've had a Badger attack on a Night Ride to London .

 

[threefingerjoe]

I love night riding! Lots of reflective material, hi-viz, and GOOD lights. Riding at night is much quieter, and little traffic. If you're going to commute, you WILL be riding in the dark for at least part of the year.

 

[Markymark]

I found it rather amusing and proportionate in p155 take to the OP's post.

This is in the beginners sectoin and it is unreasonable to take the piss out of people in a part of the forum dedicated to ask any quetsion without fear of being teased by the experts.

If it is their genuine belief that it is dangerous, then fine, it should be pointed out by many others that their belief is in the minority.

If, however, people want to start taking the **** and laughing at beginners' questions, the they should show some grace and save it for another part of the forum.

 

[WiganLardster]

I like riding at night, but I remember reading somewhere that you are four times more likely to be hit by a car at night than during the daytime. Obviously, though, if you are lit up like a Xmas tree you will go some way to mitigating that unfortunate circumstance.

 

[DooDah]

Hey, theres an idea, as its nearly Christmas why not. Might even put some tinsel on. Draw the line at a fairy though

 

[craigwend]

for some reason the roads seem longer at night - but more interesting, sharpens your senses,
oh & full moons, who needs lights

 

[Ozzrahog]

night riding is fine, its just fecking cold at this time of year

 

[Crankarm]

This is in the beginners sectoin and it is unreasonable to take the **** out of people in a part of the forum dedicated to ask any quetsion without fear of being teased by the experts.

If it is their genuine belief that it is dangerous, then fine, it should be pointed out by many others that their belief is in the minority.

If, however, people want to start taking the **** and laughing at beginners' questions, the they should show some grace and save it for another part of the forum.

Just to point a few things out to you. It was slow coach's reply to the OP that I found amusing. I wasn't laughing at the OP's original post although I did wonder for about 15 seconds whether they were trolling. Some of you need to lighten up, especially if you are planning to ride in the dark .

 

[RWright]

After reading it again earlier I realized it was not directed at the OP as well. I think the OP probably understands that and that a lot of people like to ride at night. Just like always, be careful on the roads.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I find you tend to notice exactly how good or bad those white lines at the side of the road are at night. With my old commute they were the only way of finding the edge of the road without cycling off it and when the went, it was harder to know where the road went to even with reasonable lights. I tend to have 2 front lights, 1 set a reasonable distance in front of me and the other angled much more down and off to the left to highlight the edge of the road better - this only applies to commutes that are on unlit roads. (Off road, then you need plenty of light and not just pointing downwards - branches can be a hazard if using bridlepaths or other permitted cycle routes. Otherwise I find it fine riding at night, as others have said, it can take longer.
Just make sure your lights are on rechargeable batteries of one form or another and carry a spare set (otherwise it will cost you a fortune in batteries). I only have a single rear light but it can have 1 constant strip and 1 flashing strip and is amazingly bright. I prefer rear lights that offer 270 degree 'visibilty' rather than the 'I'm only pointing backwards' but that's just me.

 

[Tom Oglesby]

Can you guys specifically recommend a set of lights?