Night Riding

Chrisj22

Do most ride in the dark?

The nights are drawing in earlier and earlier, and by November it'll be dark by 4pm. Does this reduce your riding time, or do you man-up (or woman-up for the ladies) and crack on?

Do you stay in lit areas to help drivers see you as opposed to those creepy B roads?

NeXXus

Proper lighting to see with, decent tail light, kit covered in reflectives and crack on. Not much choice other than B roads for me, but I mostly do so with a small group ~5/6

pinno

I do circuits of the town mainly. I have a 2, 2.5 and 4.5 mile loop which means that 90% of it is lit up. It also means that as I do it regularly, I find car drivers quite courteous and they're 'expecting me' so to speak. I'm lucky as the roads are quiet at night.
I do go out in the sticks now and again, especially if there's moonlight but even with 3 x 60 lumen lights on the front, the roads around here are in sh1t condition and I tend to go far too slowly as I still hit objects and potholes.
I think a serious set of lights are in order, just don't know what yet.
A driver last January kept his main beam on at me along a long, straight bit of road. I guess it was because of my lights but I always point them to a max of 20 feet in front of me, so they couldn't have been annoying him and there's not a cat's chance in hell he didn't see me. I had to stop and I was left dazzled in the middle of the road whilst he roared past at 65+. B4stard - guess he thought it was funny or worse, he didn't give a fook.

AK_jnr

I find it safer riding at night. I use the same routes as in the summer. Cant beat pitch black country roads in the winter, as long as its not icy of course. Ha

onyourright

SONdelux. B&M IQ-X. Secula. Go anywhere.

fenix

I do a bit - but for use of time - turbo is best in the winter.

As has been said - decent lights - I remember the days of heavy and useless Everready lights - the new generation is lightyears better. Always have two rear lights just in case.....

Reflectives on the bike and on you - especially the feet/pedals - and I think you're far more visible at night than you are in the day.

First.Aspect

With decent lights, rural riding is fine because you are the only light source so easier for drivers to pick out.

In the city, I've seen joggers, dogs, even the odd pedestrian, with some form of high vis or blinkie. All of this makes you more likely to missed as a cyclist. So something reflective associated with the pedal stroke is vital, plus a rear light more powerful than one might normally attach to a dog collar.

pastryboy

I tend to go out early so tend to be in dark or low light for a bit. Never have a problem as theres so little traffic people will tend to overtake wide. If you're bothered a garmin varia could be good for peace of mind?

pinno

I haven't (well, there isn't) a traffic issue where I am. I have 3 rear Led's, one I put on flashing mode.
What I do have is roads that are constantly being mucked up by farmers; clods of brown earth that are hard to distinguish in the dark, Hawthorne hedges that have been cut and the road is a carpet of potential thorns. Some routes have sheltered blind bends; you know they are coming but they don't know you are there.
Chances are, it's farmer boy in his Daddy's 4x4 pick up going like the clapppers in a show of exhibitionism/wealth, music playing loud...

I choose my routes carefully but I do like night riding.

iPete

Depends where you live but in SW London, night riding is the norm, especially with the volume of commuters and clubs around here. Anecdotally I find drivers more courteous once it's dark and I've got the rear lights on. If anything you can stand out more.

Choose your routes and kit carefully & there is little to worry about. It's often my favourite time to ride.

You don't have to go as all out as this but for reference I run an Exposure Trace and Sirius up front with an Exposure TraceR and Hope District+ on the rear.

luv2ride

I love night riding. I'd recommend always using routes you are familiar with as you may have less time to react to road imperfections and holes. I tend to go rural though and I really enjoy how different even the most familiar routes look at night. As for the "spooky b-roads", I've posted some of my fastest Strava segments at night, for that very reason! It can be a visceral experience, especially when the wildlife comes out to play - what was THAT sound, yikes.....!

Enjoyment improves with good lights as well, and I'd really recommend a good bar light coupled with a decent helmet light for looking round corners (if rural).

pinno

iPete wrote:

You don't have to go as all out as this but for reference I run an Exposure Trace and Sirius up front with an Exposure TraceR and Hope District+ on the rear.

These?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/162201143100? ... Track=true

iPete

Pinno wrote:

iPete wrote:

You don't have to go as all out as this but for reference I run an Exposure Trace and Sirius up front with an Exposure TraceR and Hope District+ on the rear.

These?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/162201143100? ... Track=true

Yup, spotted those on the wiggle outlet a few days ago, could be a bargain but are attracting a lot of bids.

Garry H

iPete wrote:

You don't have to go as all out as this but for reference I run an Exposure Trace and Sirius up front with an Exposure TraceR and Hope District+ on the rear.

You can probably be seen from the moon with that rear light combo!

iPete

I run the TraceR on low flash and the District on low solid where the battery lasts 5-6 weeks riding 10 hours a week, it's great. See me on the mood mode is reserved for when it's foggy.

craigr

Usually keep to routes that i know well in winter night cycles. Especially as it can sometimes be hard to know the depth of a pothole at night. Find i have to concentrate a lot more in the dark.

Majority of time no issues with traffic as have decent set of lights and majority of clothing has some sort of reflective.

Keep away from the higher ground on the cold winter nights incase of frost.

slowbike

Night riding is great - it's not a time to be blatting along getting PBs - but then winter runs are never about PBs.

at least 2 front and 2 back lights (incase you lose one or it breaks) - either main roads or back lanes - as has been mentioned - mud on the road is a PITA - but other than that the back lanes can be lovely - quiet and if clear skies you have to remember to keep an eye on where you're riding!

Quick tip for riding with oncoming vehicles - if it's the odd one or two - close ONE eye (not both) as they approach - that way, once past you can open it and your night vision is (almost) preserved. Bit difficult if there's a stream of traffic!

I do find that night time commutes (which is most of my night riding) means I get more space on the road - vehicles don't seem to know their width - so are a bit more cautious . Also, with my Cateye Nanoshot+ and a backup Cree light I get cars dipping from mainbeam before they can see me - I then "dip" my main beam.

keef66

Reflectives, decent lights, wait till the rush hour's over then 1-2 hours out on quiet country roads a couple of times a week. Something quite therapeutic about night riding. Tend to see a lot more wildlife at night too.

Tend to stick a bit more air in the tyres as it isn't always possible to see / avoid potholes if they are full of water and / or some dickhead is coming the other way with headlights on main beam.

vysie

My commuting is between 8pm and 11pm then 4am onwards till 9ish I've made sure I'm seen good reflective coat and trousers just need mudgaurds now for winter, so I'll be out regardless as I've now sold my car so only have the family car, and I've parked my motorbike up for winter so have no choice but to get on with it now

mugensi

I stick to quiet back country roads during winter and only ever take my 29er as the tyres take more abuse and are less likely to puncture if I hit a pothole or object. I have Cree lights from aliexpress, I reckon they put out about 6 million lumens and light up whole mountains on full beam, I also have 2 COB rear lights which are ultra bright (one flashing, one constant) and always wear clothing/shoes with reflective detailing. I find it much safer than cycling during summer on busier main roads on my road bikes.

davep1

In my experience, drivers are MUCH more courteous around me in the dark, especially on unlit country roads. They take a lot more time to pick a decent place to overtake and give me a lot more room as they do.
It is a bit spooky out in the sticks, noises always seem a lot closer and the tiny little bird sounds like a rampaging monster, but it can also be a wonderful experience. I have managed to fix a flat in the dark too. I would have two lights front and rear, you're never really sure when a charge can vanish.

pinno

MugenSi wrote:

I have Cree lights from aliexpress...

Which one's exactly? Thanks.

mugensi

Pinno wrote:

MugenSi wrote:

I have Cree lights from aliexpress...

Which one's exactly? Thanks.

This one >> https://www.aliexpress.com/item/NEW-Bla ... 40193.html

I realise it says 5000lumen but in reality its closer to 6million, If I am cycling on high ground, I can cause ships to change course as they think I'm a light house. Ok a slight exaggeration, but they are very powerful. I can get 3hrs on full beams and the battery life indicator lights are very useful.

pinno

MugenSi wrote:

Pinno wrote:

MugenSi wrote:

I have Cree lights from aliexpress...

Which one's exactly? Thanks.

This one >> https://www.aliexpress.com/item/NEW-Bla ... 40193.html

I realise it says 5000lumen but in reality its closer to 6million, If I am cycling on high ground, I can cause ships to change course as they think I'm a light house. Ok a slight exaggeration, but they are very powerful. I can get 3hrs on full beams and the battery life indicator lights are very useful.

Cheers. I think I have found an identical set on fleabay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UniqueFire-Wa ... ztdKRVuMCg

awavey

DaveP1 wrote:

In my experience, drivers are MUCH more courteous around me in the dark, especially on unlit country roads. They take a lot more time to pick a decent place to overtake and give me a lot more room as they do.
It is a bit spooky out in the sticks, noises always seem a lot closer and the tiny little bird sounds like a rampaging monster, but it can also be a wonderful experience. I have managed to fix a flat in the dark too. I would have two lights front and rear, you're never really sure when a charge can vanish.

two lights yes, but only one on at a time right? because on an unlit country road a double light is going to look a heck of a lot like a distant "car" till the last moment, which isnt really what you need happening out cycling.

I dont like riding unlit country roads in my neck of the woods, so to speak, the drivers who end up on them are generally avoiding the nice lit main roads for whatever reason and arent minded to be that much more corteous to cyclists, and there are definitely some roads Ill only use in daylight as a result.

thomasmorris

I tend to carry on riding more pretty much as normal. I do less lanes (mud, puncture, debris, potholes) and flatter routes, more so I can keep a steady tempo in the cold. But that is true for winter riding in general, rather than just night riding. But in the dark it has the benefit of not needing quite so bright a lights if you're not doing fast technical downhills.

On the bars I have a USB re-chargeable lifeline light. Does about 45 hours on flashing. This stays on my commuter all year as a 'just in case light'. You could just about limp home with it on unlit roads.

Main light is a Chinese one, smallest I could find. Usually have it on low setting and its lasted over 4 hours (not sure of the actual run time). I got this as it was pretty compact, but it has a remote button which takes up any saved space. I think something like this would be perfect if I was buying now, it doesn't have a a remote button taking up space, and has a wide dipped beam.

I have a 70 lumen moon (LX70) but use it mostly on it's lowest setting constant at the back, although in poor daytime light I tend to put it on a brighter and flashing mode.

As back up I have a small flashing cheap jobs on the seat tube, and one on my helmet for a bit of visibility up high.

For a bit of added visibility I've got reflective re tape on my seat stays and rear guard. Frames red anyway so in the light it's hardly noticeable. Got some on my helmet too.

slowbike

awavey wrote:

DaveP1 wrote:

In my experience, drivers are MUCH more courteous around me in the dark, especially on unlit country roads. They take a lot more time to pick a decent place to overtake and give me a lot more room as they do.
It is a bit spooky out in the sticks, noises always seem a lot closer and the tiny little bird sounds like a rampaging monster, but it can also be a wonderful experience. I have managed to fix a flat in the dark too. I would have two lights front and rear, you're never really sure when a charge can vanish.

two lights yes, but only one on at a time right? because on an unlit country road a double light is going to look a heck of a lot like a distant "car" till the last moment, which isnt really what you need happening out cycling.

I dont like riding unlit country roads in my neck of the woods, so to speak, the drivers who end up on them are generally avoiding the nice lit main roads for whatever reason and arent minded to be that much more corteous to cyclists, and there are definitely some roads Ill only use in daylight as a result.

Nope - both lights on at the same time - I usually choose a longer flash or steady on one and a shorter flash on the other - as they're mounted on the seat post I'm not sure how it could look like a car ... being that they're flashing and mounted in the vertical plane ... I guess the car could be on its side ?

The biggest problem with country lanes is that forward visibility is limited - so car drivers don't see you until much later anway - but that's when having a bright headlight as well as tail lights can help as they'll light up more of the vegitation around you which the drivers may see before they see you ...

keef66

awavey wrote:

two lights yes, but only one on at a time right? because on an unlit country road a double light is going to look a heck of a lot like a distant "car" till the last moment, which isnt really what you need happening out cycling.

I'd say one on constant, one flashing, and mount them very close together maybe one above the other.

You need 2 in case one packs up. You can tell immediately if your front light fails / drops off, but the rear, not so much.

bompington

craigr wrote:

Keep away from the higher ground on the cold winter nights incase of frost.

Err, no... frost is more likely on lower ground: beware frost hollows - if it's uphill in most or all directions, sheltered from the wind and open to the sky, watch out.
In my old job I used to commute over 240m hills - in winter there would often be frost in the valley leading up to the highest part, but I'd get about half way up the final slope and feel the temperature rise palpably, as the frost completely disappeared.

pinno

I have 3 Smart Lunar rear lights. Two on constant and 1 on flashing mode (pointing downwards). They have never failed me. Great battery life and can be seen from a long long way away. Cheap and highly recommended.
I have one on my summer bike seat post. If you go under trees on a bright summer day, I think you're hard to see from a driver's perspective:
There you are driving along, sunglasses on, then you suddenly dip under a row of trees and it's dark and you have the added effect of mottled patches of sun/shade/sun/shade and there's a cyclist in amongst it...
Of course, the cyclist has his all in black Rapha kit and his matt black stealth bike with decals removed. The only thing missing is a white line in the middle of his top. You may see his lilly white legs if you look closely.

keef66

bompington wrote:

craigr wrote:

Keep away from the higher ground on the cold winter nights incase of frost.

Err, no... frost is more likely on lower ground: beware frost hollows - if it's uphill in most or all directions, sheltered from the wind and open to the sky, watch out.
In my old job I used to commute over 240m hills - in winter there would often be frost in the valley leading up to the highest part, but I'd get about half way up the final slope and feel the temperature rise palpably, as the frost completely disappeared.

+1. I know the local dips most likely to freeze first and try to avoid them if the temps are close to zero. In daytime also beware stretches in deep shade, they can stay frozen long after the rest of the road has thawed and dried out.