log in
register

Cycling during Night

  • Creator
    Topic
  • October 20, 2016 at 3:03 pm #26417
    Jayden

    I am aware at this time of year a lot of men and women commute to work when it’s dark. But do people go out in order to have a bike drive if it’s dark?
    I am just not that confident at riding on the highways and usually use nature tracks near me and try to use the road less than possible. On the other hand, as I work during the day it only leaves me with Saturdays and Sundays that I find frustrating. I actually have a new few of close shaves when on the road which has unsettled me. Although I’m thinking of attempting an evening ride but finding my anxiety getting the better of me.

  • Creator
    Topic
Viewing 5 replies - 16 through 20 (of 20 total)
1 2
  • Author
    Replies
  • October 21, 2016 at 8:03 am #880641
    0
    oldstrath

    Please, not the flashing

    Please, not the flashing front lights, certainly not on unlit roads. They really are spectacularly offputting and not needed. I’m not convinced flashing rear lights are all that useful at night, but at least usually less distracting.

    October 21, 2016 at 7:26 am #880639
    0
    Daveyraveygravey

    I agree with all the posts so

    I agree with all the posts so far, particularly drivers giving more room and taking more care to pass properly.  I think it’s because they are less certain how much room they have to play with, and less confident nothing is coming the other way.

    Definitely have two lights front and rear, you never know when a charge is going to die on you or some other issue can occur.  Plus have one constant and one flashing, there are studies that show some people see one type better than the other.  

    Out in the country, I find flashing/strobing front lights harder to ride with, I usually turn the flashing one off, but under street lights I would probably have both flashing.

    The one thing I find with night rides is 2 hours is about enough.  Apart from charge issues, I’m just not able to go on for hours and hours.

    October 21, 2016 at 7:06 am #880637
    0
    StraelGuy

    I have to agree with

    I have to agree with unconstituted. I did my first ‘fully in the dark’ night ride of the year last night and loved it! Make sure you’re well lit, I have a See.sense Icon on the rear and an Exposure Diablo on the front to make sure cars can see me and I can see the road. Make sure you’re warm, I’ve just ordered my first set of shoe covers because cold hands and feet can really ruin a night ride at this time of year!

     

    Most of all, enjoy it!  

    October 21, 2016 at 5:29 am #880635
    0
    tritecommentbot

    Like Marty says, best stick

    Like Marty says, best stick to roads you know – mostly because of potholes. Lighting is the biggest problem if you want to ride fast on unlit rough country roads. 

    Drivers close pass when they’re feeling overconfident yet most have poor driving skills so give a wide berth to a flashing light in the dark as they can’t judge your size well.

    Far fewer cars around at night and that really does make a difference. Cortisol levels lower then too so much drivers are calmer as well as being burned out. 

    Still, as always, only takes one cretin to ruin it all but that can happen any time.

    I would say just go out and do it. Honestly, nothing feels better than it does at night. Riding, running, hiking etc. Just feels amazing. 

    October 21, 2016 at 1:21 am #880633
    0
    MartyMcCann

    Others experiences may differ

    Others experiences may differ but I find that drivers overtaking me at night tend to give more room than during the day- possibly because of reduced visibility they are slightly less cocky on how much space they have to play with, plus I am lit up very well- two good back lights (one flashing), a very reflective jacket with an Altura Night Vision LED dangling from it, as well as reflective shoe covers and obviously front lights as well. This is only my thinking on it (and doubtless people will disagree) but if you do more than just the legal lighting requirements, it takes drivers that extra time to work out what it is they are approaching and those few seconds mean they generally knock off the speed a bit.

     

    I also tend to stick to roads I know well and have been out on daylight hours very recently- it doesn’t take long for a pothole to develop where there were none before so it is a case of going for mileage as opposed to speed- even with decent front lights showing the way.  I tend to have a couple of loops that I know very well and use these to get the km in at night- a slowish first run or two on the loop just to check for any nasties then up the tempo a bit more when I am sure I’m not going to disappear down a mineshaft. The other benefit to riding at night is that you can’t see the gradient of the hill, so if there are any that are a pyschological obstacle, going up them in the dark can be quite liberating!

     

    However I can understand the fears about heading out in the dark- particularly as I ride quite rural roads, and some drivers still don’t expect cyclists out at that time. But once you get out at night a few times you will find it a very enjoyable experience and can help routes you may be bored with using take on a new dynamic.

  • Author
    Replies
Viewing 5 replies - 16 through 20 (of 20 total)
1 2
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.