Riding at night

[david1701]

Is great fun (recharging light atm), but my feet got cold in my new spd shoes (spesh touring shoes) - I think the solution is thicker socks not just trainer liners. I was fine though with longs and a ss jersey over a thermal base layer (stolen from my mountaineering kit).

Anyone else ride much at night?

 

[sabian92]

I don't but I would like to. I prefer the quieter roads, and most roads where I live are decently lit. I don't really like the cold though, so I don't go out much unless I'm on my way home on my bike. I'm too cheap to get some decent thermal gear so I'm pretty much either freezing or inside

 

[HLaB]

I'm not riding in the dark these days, too many folk fretting about me but what I can't get across to them its actually more enjoyable and safer at night, for me its usually the ideal temperature and cars give me more room.

 

[slowmotion]

Madness, madness....

http://fnrttc.blogspot.com/p/fridays_06.html

 

[evilclive]

Anyone else ride much at night?

Probably most of mine is, especially in the winter months. Decent lights (dynohub + IQ Fly for me has done very well for the past few years - my bike is get on and go, I can't be having with charging) are pretty important. Yes, it's colder (gloves this evening!). When it's wet and no moon, it's harder to see the edge of the road, but my riding is pretty much all regular routes.

To tie it into the recent wind threads, last year I actually aborted a ride - I can cope with dark, I can cope with wet, I can cope with wind, and I can cope with wind debris, but all of them at once was actually a bit scary.

No cars is the big win for me. People appear to go to bed early around here - there's hardly any traffic out after about 6.30.

Dealing with cold is the same as for winter - just put more clothes on :-) My winter boots are bigger than my summer shoes, so I can fit more sock in. I sometimes come home with an iced-up beard.

Dry, moonlit nights is the best night riding - can be absolutely gorgeous.

http://www.evil-c.co.uk/darktreewide.jpg isn't quite at night

 

[corshamjim]

Through the winter, yes no option but to commute in the dark. Dynamo lighting is definitely the way to go rather than faffing with batteries or recharging (unless I suppose you have an electricity supply in your garage/shed you can plug straight in to). I just use a bottle dynamo - not as good as a hub dynamo but still imho better than using a battery light. I have a B+M IQ light too - they're not only bright but have a good beam pattern which lights the road without blinding oncoming drivers.

I have no problem keeping warm enough on shorter rides - simply lots of layers with the top one being windproof and I ride at a fairly relaxed pace so as not to get too sweaty under it. For longer rides in cold weather I haven't quite sussed the right clothing yet!

 

[asterix]

A good dynohub is what you need. I started using a Schmidt last year with IQ Cyo and it is literally brilliant!

Even during the day it gets you noticed as I found when I accidentally left it on - the drag? There isn't any, or so it seems.

 

[Cardiac]

Anyone else ride much at night?

I am doing most of my midweek training/exercise rides after dusk - currently setting of about 9pm, back by 10:30. Reasons are various - I am busy in the day (paying the bills), roads are quieter, it's cooler, etc. I enjoy the experience. One of my routes takes me on a tarmac path across a field - fun watching the bunnies hop out of the way as I approach. As for clothing, three layers on top, with winter trousers for the legs. I am not super quick (maybe 15mph average), but I find it a good balance between warmth, comfort and not too much sweat....

I agree with the cars giving more room experience too - I also find cars giving me a wide margin and holding back (often too long) before passing.

 

[david1701]

I can add that it led to being tired in the morning

I think if it gets any colder I'll need something for my legs and maybe a jacket

 

[tyred]

A sizeable percentage of my riding is done in the dark. Bottle dynamo user here. I would never go back to messing about with batteries, rechargeable or otherwise. Ideally, you would use a hub dynamo but the better quality bottles like the B&M Dymotec or Axa Traction work really well. I've never had a problem with slipping in the rain. If anyone does, I can only imagine it isn't aligned properly or the roller is worn.

 

[david1701]

I think if I ever built a bike I'd go hub dynamo and hub gear but its unlikely short term and my battery light gives me 7 hours full beam and I did't need it there until about half 10 last night (except for tree covered bits)

 

[corshamjim]

I have had a problem with a bottle dynamo slipping in the wet, but that was just after I had cleaned my bike with waxy car shampoo ...

I cured it completely by changing the rubber roller for a knurled steel one. That was on a Nordlicht Max 2000 dynamo - mine is very good, but after two winters in all weathers it's gone a bit noisy (bearings knackered probably) so I've just ordered another one. I'm sure a hub dynamo would be better, but not enough to persuade me to order a new front wheel with one yet. Also replacing a broken bottle dynamo is a whole lot easier than replacing a broken hub dynamo.

 

[Midnight]

I do a fair bit of riding at night, sometimes in the wee early hours, and I love it.

The roads are quieter, and it's often less windy than during the day. You do have to keep an eye on the temperature though, particularly in the summer. In the winter you know it's gonna be cold, but in the summer some nights can be sub-zero, whilst others can be surprisingly balmy and you still ride in t-shirt and shorts. I absolutely hate the cold, so I'll always start off over-dressed, then you can take layers off if you're getting too warm. Trainer-liners are useless at keeping your feet warm and I've got several pair of of woolly socks that are not too thick and can be worn with trainers - just the job.

I'm still using old-fashioned (rechargeable) batteries for my lights, and I always take spare batteries and a spare set of lights just in case.

And plenty of close encounters with bats, owls and other wildlife make it much more preferable to daytime riding... Enjoy.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

yes, usually a couple of times a month.

merino socks are the way to go.

I own several bikes and all are night riders so I use AyUps

 

[opticcircus]

Due to work hours I ride home most nights at 9/10pm I've been doing it for 3 months now and I'd feel strange travelling home during the day. Just got to watch out for people who would normally check before pulling out of a junction, they just pull out thinking theres no need to because it's so late