Trial Riding at night...

Off to Gisburn tomorrow night for some night riding ... any tips for a beginner? :?
First time I have done this ... I have a 650 lumen ultrafire 501B torch for the front bars... that's about it
First time I have done this ... I have a 650 lumen ultrafire 501B torch for the front bars... that's about it

2009 Carrera Fury
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2 - if you fall, get up.
3 - have fun.
It's the same as mountain biking in daylight only darker...
Have you ridden those trails during the day before? If not that's the one tip I'd give in addition to Bentes offerings. But as you're heading up tomorrow and you haven't ridden them before then I'd definately follow Bentes' tips.
And try and get a helmet light...if you only have one light, stick it on your lid.
Cheers...
I have ridden the trial (twice) before so have an idea of where I'm going ... I won't be going alone either as a few mates are also coming along.
Will see if I can locate a helmet mount.
You're right, it's not the same as daylight, but that's common sense.
The main issue I have with nigh riding is the shadows cast by the angle of the lights may trick you with the size of the obstacles. I mean, they may appear bigger/deeper than they really are, and sometimes the opposite. But after a few bumps you'll learn to evaluate the trail with it's new look. I think this doesn't happen so much with helmet mounted lights as with handlebar mounts because the angle is less shallow.
But it's a matter of common sense, at night, for the first time you'll be riding slower until you get used to the "new dimensions", and your eyes are used to the darkness.
I do night right alone or with groups, it depends if anyone is coming or not.
I stick to trails and rarely go off piste.
Always have a phone close in a pocket than a bag because if you fall you should be able to reach it if you have problem.
I usually take a cheap torch. Take an extra choc bar as well.
Problem is your imagination can runaway with you when you come to a dark part as iv seen numerous amounts of axe murderers, UFO's and ghosts!
Whats really good though is on a really clear night, the sky is amazing!!!!
you wont be doing that at Gisburn,
You mean Trail riding?
Trials is very different
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountain_bike_trials
Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
Ooooo Pedantic!!!
Sorry... Typo ... you know what I meant
Thanks for all the advice people ... I will look forward to seeing the ghosts :shock:
But seriously - the advice on shadows is important and depending on the area make sure you make a reasonable amount of noise. I have been charged by panicking deer on more than few occasions. Apart from the potential for injury it scares the censored out of you.
take a spare light, even if its just an app on your fone. Plus obviously some spare cells particularly if you use protected cells.
You can make a helmet mount out of an inner tube and some cable ties. Just not a long term solution.
Stretching & Workout Vids
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsHMnjIk-o8
haha brilliant!
Muddy Fox Courier - 80's
GT Palomar 90's
GT Zaskar LE - 90's
Cannondale k v 900 90's
Santa Cruz Bullit - now
Orange Evo 8 STOLEN 26/09/10
Orange P7 Pro
Lots of kites.
Stretching & Workout Vids
Fun: Yeti SB66
Road: Litespeed C1, Cannondale Supersix Evo, Cervelo R5
Trainer: Bianchi via Nirone
Hack: GT hardtail with Schwalbe City Jets
having a young child and a old house nightime is its pretty much the only riding i get and i'm generally alone; ok so that increases the severity of the consequences when something goes wrong but i take it fairly easy and dont stray too far form civilisation, leave a route card at home and stick to it. I'm happy enough.
oh and i dont buy that you need lights that can be seen from space either, you are better off having 2 or 3 moderately bright units than one super bright one.
We're all different but I've been solo night riding a few times a week all year round since the late 90s and not had any undue mishaps. I always have a plan B and a plan C and there's a little bit of my brain that's always asking 'what if?'
Quite entertaining to stop in the middle of nowhere, kill the lights and just take in the darkness. S'funny but it's rarely completely dark and as your night vision kicks in it doesn't seem so bad.
Its the super bright ones that kill the ghosts though.............
Muddy Fox Courier - 80's
GT Palomar 90's
GT Zaskar LE - 90's
Cannondale k v 900 90's
Santa Cruz Bullit - now
Orange Evo 8 STOLEN 26/09/10
Orange P7 Pro
Lots of kites.
But multiple lights is the way to go.
Stretching & Workout Vids
I keep seeing an orange glow over Dumfries when I was out on sunday night and tonight when cycling Mabie.
I cant figure it out.
Que the X-Files theme tune!!!