Scared of the dark?

lexiekay

Is anyone else a teeny bit scared of the dark? I just got new lights and after a quick try night riding in the woods the other day I'd really like to make more use of them. Problem is, I'm a little scared to go out in the countryside in the dark. Dont know why really as the likelihood of mad murderers lurking behind trees in the middle of nowhere on a freezing cold night isnt exactly high, but somehow the fact that its dark is scary. Got any ideas how I can get over it?!

cee

Dont go on your own....go with other folks!

I have to agree that speeding through the woods with just your light beam showing up the trail and seeing lots of eyes peering out of the bushes is pretty bloody scary! Its amazing what you see at night that you would miss during the day.....those eyes must be watching all the time, but you only see their reflection at night.

Noises seem to be somewhat louder and scarier as well.

I am afraid that the fact is the dark IS scary!

ST Colin

Yip, it's the truth, the dark is scary.

Best advice is to get out with a group!

What lights are you using?

BorisSpencer

It's all part of the night riding rush.
I was out with a regular mate the other night, riding through a field of sleeping cows, we heard a noise and I've never seen him ride so fast.

zero303

Perfectly happy in the dark in a group but if I pull up a few minutes ahead of my group I very quickly get spooked while I wait!

ride_whenever

let the fear drive you, the eyes are mad axe murderers and they will catch you if you slow down. It is more important to be properly prepared for night riding though.

Take a space blanket and plenty of fluids, and your phone. Make sure people know where you're going and when you expect to get back or go as part of a group of at least three.


And lights are for sissies, real men use NVGs, and camo paint. Although the hope hubs will spoil the effect somewhat 8)

.blitz

lexiekay wrote:

Is anyone else a teeny bit scared of the dark?

Pfft lightweight. Thing to do is get off your bike, switch off the lights and stand there in total darkness. If there's no light pollution it will be really dark - think outer space. After a while your night vision will kick in and you will be able to discern shapes but no detail. Listen to the 'sounds of the countryside'.

Wait a few minutes then switch on your lights and ride off, confident in the knowledge that there are no nutters out on the trails on cold November nights - only us

lexiekay

What lights are you using?

Exposure Joystick Maxx and they are super bright

And lights are for sissies, real men use NVGs, and camo paint. Although the hope hubs will spoil the effect somewhat

Ha ha ha will bear that in mind. think i have some camo gear somewhere...

ST Colin

lexiekay wrote:

think i have some camo gear somewhere...

That's if you can find it....

Surf-Matt

Lexie - couple of vaguely forces/ninja related things about night:

1) Your bright light makes it very hard to see you in detail.
2) It's very hard to catch a cyclist or push them off.
3) The only way to stop you is to tie a string across a path or place an obstacle in the way - you'll see those from miles away. If you do turn around and sod off at high speed.
4) If you did ever meet someone dodgy, take your light off and shine it directly at them - they won't be able to see you properly and their night vision will be stuffed.
5) If you get more worried, slow down and close one eye - that way you'll have one eye for seeing (!) and the other will have great night vision.
6) Very loud noises stun people a surprising amount. If you were ever worried, bellow something (don't scream) at the top of your voice - it gives you vital seconds to sod off.
7) Try and avoid really narrow, wooded paths and anywhere with places to hide behind.
8) Again if worried you can briefly turn your light off making it hard to track where you are.

Armed with those tips, you'll be safe as houses.

cheehee

Watch the Blair Witch Project, say about 4pm. When it's finished go for a ride down your local woods....................

I usually charge for this kind of advice you know.

Just after the Blair Witch Project came out, my bro went climbing/camping. I thought it would be funny to stash some of those Blair Witch stick triangle things in his rucksack. You know just so he didn't get scared....on his own......in the dark......in the peaks......

He wasn't to impressed............

batch78

Is anyone else a teeny bit scared of the dark?

Nope not me.














I'm hugely scared of the dark! :oops:

Does make me ride bloody fast though, usually only need to do about half of my regular circuit for the same amount of workout as a day ride. [/quote]

Dr S

Going to find out soon! Ayups are charged and fitted to my bike off for my first ride in half an hour or so!

Dr S

Going to find out soon! Ayups are charged and fitted to my bike off for my first ride in half an hour or so!

jojo90

So you should be especially with me lurking in the bushes clad only in your gran's stockings.... *goes off to sharpen his pointy murder stick*.

johnsav

doesnt really bother me, i just whack some above and beyond in my ears and enjoy it

Dr S

Thats mad fun! Just back from my first ride at night round greenham common, scared a few tramps and chased some bunnies. Great fun!

Could help thinking of war of the worlds with the helmet lamp, like a search light!

lexiekay

Lexie - couple of vaguely forces/ninja related things about night:

1) Your bright light makes it very hard to see you in detail.
2) It's very hard to catch a cyclist or push them off.
3) The only way to stop you is to tie a string across a path or place an obstacle in the way - you'll see those from miles away. If you do turn around and sod off at high speed.
4) If you did ever meet someone dodgy, take your light off and shine it directly at them - they won't be able to see you properly and their night vision will be stuffed.
5) If you get more worried, slow down and close one eye - that way you'll have one eye for seeing (!) and the other will have great night vision.
6) Very loud noises stun people a surprising amount. If you were ever worried, bellow something (don't scream) at the top of your voice - it gives you vital seconds to sod off.
7) Try and avoid really narrow, wooded paths and anywhere with places to hide behind.
Again if worried you can briefly turn your light off making it hard to track where you are.

Thanks for the tips Matt - I reckon if i follow these i'll soon be riding ninja style round the trails of wiltshire.... Still thinking about that camo gear though

Papa Smurf

Get some spikes on either end of your shoes, wear a knuckle duster and carry a M-16, that'll ward off the odd pervert

cheehee wrote:

Watch the Blair Witch Project, say about 4pm. When it's finished go for a ride down your local woods....................

I usually charge for this kind of advice you know.

Just after the Blair Witch Project came out, my bro went climbing/camping. I thought it would be funny to stash some of those Blair Witch stick triangle things in his rucksack. You know just so he didn't get scared....on his own......in the dark......in the peaks......

He wasn't to impressed............

Haha, watch the Erotic Witch Project instead.. Could turn into a somewhat orgasmic experience

If it hasnt been said alreadty, obviously riding in a group is a no brainer, but make sure you, or any other female of the group is not at the back, and be sure you can all keep up with each other, if need be the fastest rider at the back to stop them getting too far ahead.

cheehee

Papa Smurf wrote:

Haha, watch the Erotic Witch Project instead.. Could turn into a somewhat orgasmic experience

...make sure you, or any other female of the group is at the back, and be sure you can all keep up with each other, if need be the fastest rider at the back to stop them getting too far ahead.

Are you still talking about bikes.............?

Papa Smurf

cheehee wrote:

Papa Smurf wrote:

Haha, watch the Erotic Witch Project instead.. Could turn into a somewhat orgasmic experience

...make sure you, or any other female of the group is at the back, and be sure you can all keep up with each other, if need be the fastest rider at the back to stop them getting too far ahead.

Are you still talking about bikes.............?

With regards to the bold bit, no.. Unless of course your really kinky

But yeah I can see how you get confused! And tbh such an act is not easy and should be practiced by experienced dogger MTB'ers only!
Ah, memories...

lexiekay

well really......

pittpony

johnsav wrote:

doesnt really bother me, i just whack some above and beyond in my ears and enjoy it

Good man, can't beat a bit of quality trance to get the adrenaline pumping 8) Don't know about riding at night with an iPod though, think you must be a bit braver than me as i like to be able to hear what's happening around me!

I certianly wouldn't ride ahead, hide in the bushes and make scary noises as my friends rode past. That wouldn't be funny

Seriously, i'd ride in a group at night any day over going on my own. I prefer the banter of a group ride anyway though

ddraver

I know exactly what you mean - not only is it scary on your own but (i ve convinced myself) its too dangerous. If you fell off or whathave you you could be in pretty deep...

If you re in a group its fine though - Just hum a few lines of fear of the dark (Iron Maiden) and you ll be fine!!

Northwind

Yeah, it's a risk perception thing. Realistically you're not likely to be mugged or attacked, because most muggers aren't stupid- would you hang around in a dark lonesome wood all night on the offchance someone passes by? Not a very good business model

What bothers me is breaking something and being stuck, or knocked out... That's bad enough when there's hillwalkers and other riders out but you could be there a looooong time before any of those are about.

stev68

I love riding in the dark with me pod on,except swinley couple of weeks ago just entering the really dark spooky section of tank trail,when war of the worlds came on fumbled like fook to turn it over! lol

MarvintheAndroid

Get the right lights and you can FRY any potential attackers at 20 paces !!!!

Marv

medicineman

Just got back from night ride around Lady Bower. We usually go out in a group of between 2-4. I won't go out riding out there myself in case of an accident - very isolated.

andyturner28

pittpony wrote:

I certianly wouldn't ride ahead, hide in the bushes and make scary noises as my friends rode past. That wouldn't be funny

Yeah that was funny, scared tha crap out of Ade. And was especially funny watching you clamber out of the massive ditch

Mc Smiley

yes it is scary. Unless you are with a group
For the ultimate scare, ride near whistler, not in the main consumer area, where everybody is. Just outside where all the animals are, mountain lions, bears.
Christ, i rode in the day, but that was the longest sprint i have ever done, any slight noise scared the bejesus out of me :oops:

Steve_F

The comment about watching the Blair Witch Project before heading out was just cruel. It scares me far more the thought of having to watch that p!sh than spending a night on my own out in the deepest dark forest there is!

I managed to freak myself out last night at Glentress when I saw a bulldozer and started to think of Maximum Overdrive and tried to work out how to escape a possessed 'dozer. Stupid thoughts just multiply in my head in the dark and make me go sooo much faster (uphill!).