night riding

[JohnRedcoRn]

anyone a big fan of cycling in the dark ? am i right in saying the winter isnt a reason to put away the bike? i think i'll put on my lights, and as long as the weathers not unsafe i'll be out there - keen stargazer so could combine interests - get out away from light pollution with me flask of coffee and binoculars !

apart from obvious safety aspects (weatherproof kit, visibility, safe road surface), do i need to consider owt else, and do others do this, or am i missing something.

i have good quality lights with flashing option + night vision waterproof

 

[Dayvo]

When I was a teenager, I used to sneak out at night, meet up with some mates, go for a longish ride (8 miles each way), stopping halfway in a wood for a fry-up! We sat round a fire frying eggs, bacon, sausages and drinking cans of shandy!

Night riding is fun, if it's a clear, dry night. There are plenty of sights and sounds to enjoy. Make sure you're warm and dry, and you'll have a fun time.

You should be fine with the equipment you have. Just get out there; and make sure the sausages are cooked properly before scoffing them!

 

[col]

Great idea,i used to go in the car because of a scope,but binos and flask,going to a dark site sounds great on the bike.See if you can go with a mate too,it can be really spooky

 

[philr]

i recall cycling home from work recently at 230 hrs am.

country side cycling full moon no cars or street lights for miles around, was really enjoying it. then for some stupid reason i started to think about recent horror films, bogey men and the like. what a complete and utter wus, a grown man and cycling at nearly 30 mph in case something come out of the bushes and chased me, at least at that speed they might not catch me (going through my mind).

 

[cheadle hulme]

If you're off road then trees and stuff can look like they're moving as you approach them with decent bike lights - they cast strange shadows.
Also watch out for late night dog walkers. Spooks me if I haven't noticed them and the first thing you see is the green dogs eyes reflected at you!

 

[philr]

glad its not just me who gets spooked, only problem with me working shifts is it wont be long before i am doing the same ride at same time.

 

[Globalti]

If you ask you'll find that most bike shops have an MTB section who go night riding in winter. My own club Blackburnbikers goes out every Wednesday night, I have had some memorable night rides, there's nothing better than being out on a crisp dry night with good lights blasting around the lanes and woods. We use radios in case anybody gets separated or dropped.

 

[Fab Foodie]

I'm a big fan of night riding, partially because I can get some guilt-free miles in whilst the family sleep. Also the roads tend to become pretty deserted which is an added bonus. I used to go out alone around 10 pm for a couple hours, now I ride with a few mates and we do 25 miles from about 8 pm once or twice a week. Whilst blessed with a lot of countryside around us we tend to head into Oxford where the roads are wide, quiet and well lit, there's plenty of ahem 'wildlife' to observe combimed with the smell of varied resteraunts as wee pootle along. I personally like Urban riding, it's the bicycles natural home... doing it at night just makes it more fun!

Good lights (at least 2 up front and 2 behind, plus back-up batteries) and high viz required... also the ability to fix a flat in the dark, LOL.

 

[JohnRedcoRn]

sounds like fun, although i forgot i do tend to absolutely shoot my pants alone in the dark, what with wierd shadows and a bit of silly imagination

 

[Globalti]

Just ride without pants then.

 

[trio25]

I love night riding, although I also get scared that things are out to get me. Adds to the fun though!

 

[MrGrumpy]

i recall cycling home from work recently at 230 hrs am.

country side cycling full moon no cars or street lights for miles around, was really enjoying it. then for some stupid reason i started to think about recent horror films, bogey men and the like. what a complete and utter wus, a grown man and cycling at nearly 30 mph in case something come out of the bushes and chased me, at least at that speed they might not catch me (going through my mind).

I cycle regular at night due to shift working, as far as spooking yourself goes, I stick headphones on, then I don`t here the crackle of twigs snapping when that thing in your mind is stalking you along that country lane lol

 

[wafflycat]

I enjoy night riding. Some decent front & rear lights, loads of reflectives and I find that I am given more space by whatever traffic is on the roads at night than during the day.

 

[JohnRedcoRn]

well i went out and tried it tonight. mostly road and lit cycle paths, i need to venture further out for proper outdoors way from light pollution. enjoyed it too, although a couple of scary moments - chavs in subway tunnels and our local equivalent of royston vasey (but harder....a place called newbiggin by the sea).

now i got my car bike carrier i'll get out further afield

 

[JohnRedcoRn]

and for those of us who get spooked in the dark....

its a well known fact that ghosts cant outrun bikes.