Anyone else like to ride at night?

Anonymous

Is their anyone else that likes to ride at night? An 18mile loop I recently started doing in Manchester I have started to like doing it at night, sometimes do it at 11PM and finish about 12:10AM. Seems allot quieter and much more pleasant to ride.

Anyone else cycle at these apparent crazy times when they get the chance?

Its 12:50AM now and I want to go cycling but think that would certainly be a little OTT.

ror_b211

I often ride from about 10pm til 4-5am around the cotswolds. I have a lot more energy then and it's dead quiet and really peaceful, although its a good idea to go with a buddy because its pretty dangerous (at least it is here with narrow roads and loads of hills).

The only irritating thing is that I need a hefty light set but that's not to much of a problem.

TheGreatGatsby

I always start my rides in the morning from about 3.30 or 4am. Just habit now plu sit gives me time t obe alone on the bike.\\GAts

McBain_v1

I like riding at night, but now that mini-McBain is making his presence felt more and more the opportunities are few and far between.

Anonymous

Woah, I'm surprised some people ride at like 3-5am :shock:.

Guess 12am is not so bad then

NWLondoner

I suppose it also depends on your area.

I usually go out around 6.30am and do sub 50 mile circuit to City Airport (silvertown)North Woolwich and back.

Last Wednesday after work I did a 30 mile London loop and got back around 9.40pm. Did not fancy riding around Silvertown after dark. The section from isle Of Dogs to Becton past the barrier is not pleasant at the best of times, let alone at night.

I am tempted to do a longer ride and get back around midnight. ust trying to plot a route avoiding all those one way streets.

cjcp

Just popping in from the Commuting Channel

With weekends being largely family time, I'm beginning to see night riding (built in to the commute home) as the only way to rack up the regular winter mileage for the sportives I hope to do next year.

bobpzero

been out twice tho none free from things going wrong so im hoping for 3rd time lucky.
been doing a 19mile circuit near home, the route is partially free from cars. thankfully got a Petzl e+Lite to help me see the computer and what gear im in.

Lagavulin

I would like to. The weather currently seems to be far more settled at night (I usually get in from work about 9:30pm) but I'm surrounded by conurbations and those that are on that road at this time appear to be idiots.
Also any support from the team car (dad) would be out of the question which means fixing any issues by the roadside on own.

I need to do something though. The turbo bores me to tears and I haven't been out on the road since last Tuesday. The "this year I'm going to keep going..." pledge appears to be already out of the window by early November. :oops:

Anonymous

Well I just got back from the 18 mile circuit I do in Manchester, was really quiet, hardly any idiots, got 12:55AM so about 11 mins ago. I think I wills tick to it, would have gone earlier but was wasting time thinking, it was raining and due to it I have to wash my clothes now.

cougie

Only thing about riding late is that you're full of endorphins when you get in - so you cant sleep !

And I dont do early mornings !

cjcp

Good point.

Will definitely be a night ride tonight. Still at work. Pants.

NWLondoner

cougie wrote:

Only thing about riding late is that you're full of endorphins when you get in - so you cant sleep !

And I dont do early mornings !

are you kidding??


i can sleep like a bloody log after my ride.

cougie

Can you ? I'm buzzing !

ror_b211

I can never sleep after a night ride.

Stewie Griffin

cougie wrote:

Can you ? I'm buzzing !

Me too, eyes wide open in the dark. Then you look over at the alarm clock and its says something after 4 and you start thinking about the last excuse you used for a sickie.

Perhaps I need to do it more often not less so I get used to it :P

Jay dubbleU

I usually go out around 10pm to meet Mrs JW from work - 6 mile round trip - usually very quiet - saw a couple of deer tonight in the middle of town 8)

sicknote

I was out tonight and if anyone knows ally pally.

My route takes me over it and for the first time in a long time ( have not been on a bike for few years ) and I made it up without stopping.
Lungs were on fire but I did it

Went out at 10.45 for an hour

Not so much traffic at that time

jimmythecuckoo

My village is on a well lit (in the main) 3.3 mile loop. The roads are a bit bumpy so I take the mountain bike with the lights on and have a few laps. There is a hill on each one to make it a nice alternative to the turbo some evenings.

ronstrutt

I like riding in the dark but in winter I prefer the evening rather than the wee small hours - mainly because I do longer distances and it gets far too cold if you're out in the dark for a long time. Over 4 hours does the light batteries as well.

APIII

Out last night for a nice 30 mile loop. Cars give you plenty of room in the dark, so actually feel a lot safer on the main roads. Local wildlife remains a problem. Literally had a rabbit in the headlights - it went one way, then another, before making a mad dash for my front wheel. Brakes locked on, just missed the b'stad
Couldn't sleep when I got back.

salsarider79

Lagavulin: Get yourself in a club. When others are going out riding, it helps to get you out. The 'I can do more miles this week than you' club riding thing works wonders for your fitness. Arranging a set day/time to go out is good too.

cougie

I try and ride outside of the busy traffic - so any time after about 7.30 is good - but the roads are quieter later, and yeah - you do get given more space at night.

Rabbits are useless at crossing the road arent they ?

APIII

cougie wrote:

I
Rabbits are useless at crossing the road arent they ?

Yeah, the green cross code is lost on them.
(That probably makes me sound really old - green cross code was what, the 70's?)

rhext

I love riding at night. It's more peaceful, and you see a completely different side of the countryside.

Ectomorph

cougie wrote:

Rabbits are useless at crossing the road arent they ?

Bl**dy rabbits! Stop, look & listen? Like feck they do. One part of my nightly ride home involves a fairly brisk section of cycle path; on one side is a field full of grazing bunnies (or whatever they do) while their burrows are on the other side. Cue me speeding home at c25mph and suddenly they all panic & make a dash for their little homes. Last night one of them actually passed between my wheels! I think it's going to get messy fairly soon.

Sorry, I seem to have taken this thread slightly off-topic. Has anybody actually run over a rabbit? My guess is it could do a bit of damage or even throw you off...

cougie

Left right left right again - I've skidded to a halt loads of times whilst Benjamin Bunny decides which way to go. They must be easy pickings for any predator.

If my back tyre wears out - its the bloody bunnies fault.

rhext

Why skid to a halt? Bunnies taste very nice and any leftovers can be converted into tasteful and environmentally friendly earwarmers.

sicknote

APIII wrote:

cougie wrote:

I


(That probably makes me sound really old - green cross code was what, the 70's?)

Yes it was the 70's and it was the man that became Darth Vader in Star wars ( now who is showing they age lol )

wiffachip

preferred the Joe Brown version meself. Did Keegan do a one as well ?

used to play 5 a side 9-10 pm and couldn't sleep for hours afterwards

johnnyc71

rhext wrote:

Why skid to a halt? Bunnies taste very nice and any leftovers can be converted into tasteful and environmentally friendly earwarmers.

The bunnies usually sprint in front of me - it's the pheasants I worry about - must be the bird with the smallest brain.