Riding at night

Spooked

Hi guys,

I have some decent lights but now I have two small children the time that I ride has to change.

So I wondered what would have the least potential risk when riding at night.

Country lanes or Suburbia?

What would you choose and why?

Cheers 8)

fenix

If they're twisty turny lanes then I'd be a bit more wary - but in general- country lanes will be far quieter and you'll stand out far more.

My tips -

Always two rear lights - you never know when one will fail. Don't skimp on them.
Ideally a spare front light in case yours goes.
A headtorch is essential if you have a mechanical. Your light won't be pointing at the right place.
Or you can strap a penlight to your helmet. Doesn't have to be very bright - just handy for close up stuff.
Reflectives - if you have mudguards - bung a strip down the back.
Anything that moves will catch the eye - so reflectives on your feet and legs is better than say - your arms.
Stick to roads you know fairly well. Things are very different in the dark.

Have an extra layer in case you get a flat. It can get cold at night.

All that said - it's great to get out.

davep1

What Fenix said is bang on, have reserve lights front and rear, even if you don't switch them both on.

If you go in suburbia, a strobing light has even more benefit as it reflects off signs, so the strobing effect is magnified into an area effect.

If you don't have a head torch, you can take your front wheel out and you'll have a pool of light to work in. Assuming you don't have to take the rear light out too!

I'd recommend out in the country, there's something different about riding out in the sticks at night, you hear things which can spook you, it feels like you go faster for less effort too.

One thing I find about night riding, I can only go for two hours or so. You'll be looking at the pool of light in front of you and eventually you get fed up of it.

sheffsimon

Fenix wrote:

If they're twisty turny lanes then I'd be a bit more wary - but in general- country lanes will be far quieter and you'll stand out far more.

My tips -

Always two rear lights - you never know when one will fail. Don't skimp on them.
Ideally a spare front light in case yours goes.
A headtorch is essential if you have a mechanical. Your light won't be pointing at the right place.
Or you can strap a penlight to your helmet. Doesn't have to be very bright - just handy for close up stuff.
Reflectives - if you have mudguards - bung a strip down the back.
Anything that moves will catch the eye - so reflectives on your feet and legs is better than say - your arms.
Stick to roads you know fairly well. Things are very different in the dark.

Have an extra layer in case you get a flat. It can get cold at night.

All that said - it's great to get out.

All good advice above.

I would also ask what sort of riding you are doing? Steady rides or hard efforts?

I used to do a lot of hill efforts in the suburbs (not difficult to find a hill in suburban SW Sheffield), at least street lighting allows you to spot the potholes. I wouldn't have fancied them out in the countryside, with just bike lights to see by.

On the other hand I also used to do a longer, steady ride in the winter with a group, and that was fine in the countryside.

simon_masterson

The Knog lights are a good choice for backup - I have them on my commuter all the time, though I do check regularly that they're working. Good lights are essential, but lights aren't necessarily better the brighter they are - some of the lights I see people using are excessive, and serve mainly to dazzle drivers.

keef66

Wot they all said^

Country lanes far safer IME. Two lights front and rear, but do turn on both rears - you'll have no way of knowing if one fails or drops off. Don't blind people coming the other way, they sometimes retaliate and then you can see f@ck all.

Pump your tyres up properly; all my pinch flats have come at night, often from hitting potholes disguised as small puddles, or debris I didn't see at all because of lights from oncoming traffic

And give way to anything with antlers.

Spooked

That's great thanks guys. It will be steady rides on my own. I have been off the bike for a year or so now so it will not be anything too strenuous.

keef66

Enjoy! I find it strangely therapeutic. I leave it till after most peeps are home from work, then I can have an hour or two on virtually traffic-free lanes. Sometimes with a barn owl for company (very white in the headlight!) or a badger or fox trotting across the road.

Lots of deer where I ride though; I was serious about the antlers thing. They have no traffic sense and are easily spooked; I've had a couple of close encounters now, and I'd definitely not want to tangle with one :shock: .

Alex99

+ to having two lights front and rear. I tend to stick to well known loops not straying too far from home. Echo the 2h max comment... you have to concentrate harder and it can get a bit wearing. Also, I tend to end up 1-1.5 MPH slower than I would during the day, no matter how fast I think I have gone, but it doesn't matter really. I think I might even use my MTB for dark pothole immunity.

mrfpb

Time and pace is about how far you can go without stopping. Obviously cafes aren't open at night, but pubs are. I find if I have to stop for a break due to working too hard then my energy levels/body temp plummet and my whole being resists getting back on the bike.

I got over this eventually and managed to complete the London to Brighton Moonride one year (100km). The stop at 4:00 am left me really chilled, but I had packed an extra layer as I knew it was going to happen. The truth is after 10-15 mins back on the bike you warm up again and start feeling your usual self.

AK_jnr

I find night riding safer whether its main roads or country lanes. I find I get treated with more respect.
I agree with all the above though, good lights are a must. I've had a few rides through the country lanes where I had the light on full power for longer than I should of and got the dreaded red warning. Lol back up is great for peace of mind.

luv2ride

Haven't done it for a while but used to love it. Can be spooky out on the lanes, so I tend to post my quickest times at night :shock:
Actually I was just thinking I wish I'd got my lights charged and gone out tonight. No wind after yesterday's hurricanes and gales, and beautifully clear. Perfect. Maybe next time....

rubertoe

Get an exposure flare and some ebay cree lights and off into the wilds you go, I love riding the lanes around home in the dark. I have a couple of fixed routes and am lucky that i live in the middle of nowhere so it is all Lanes.

cougie

Its a lot better now with the brighter lights too.

Back in the day it was a real strain just to see where the edge of the Road was. Now you can easily see where you're going!

I'll be out this week after the weekend ride was cancelled due to flooded roads

redvee

When out in the country watch for wildlife, it can be quite interesting. I can remember looking up and over my shoulder and spotted an odd shape flying by which I can only assume was a bat as it wasn't bird shaped with two wings sticking out,

Alex99

AK_jnr wrote:

I find night riding safer whether its main roads or country lanes. I find I get treated with more respect.
I agree with all the above though, good lights are a must. I've had a few rides through the country lanes where I had the light on full power for longer than I should have and got the dreaded red warning. Lol back up is great for peace of mind.

I agree. I went out last night and I have to say, model behavior from all road users I encountered.

spam02

As above, I ride with 2 lights front and rear. One on flashing and one on fixed. I find that 900 lumens fixed front light is enough on the lanes where I ride at night.
Front lights I'll tend to point down slightly, but angled enough that I can see ahead ok. When I remember I'll nudge my front light down a fraction more when climbing to account for the change in road angle - I've been blinded enough times when descending and encountering cyclists climbing in the opposite direction to know it can be a pita.
I've also recently taken to wearing a pair of the reflective bands around my arms with the little red flashing leds on (facing side and rear) for a bit of extra visibility when crossing side roads.

davep1

Alex99 wrote:

AK_jnr wrote:

I find night riding safer whether its main roads or country lanes. I find I get treated with more respect.
I agree with all the above though, good lights are a must. I've had a few rides through the country lanes where I had the light on full power for longer than I should have and got the dreaded red warning. Lol back up is great for peace of mind.

I agree. I went out last night and I have to say, model behavior from all road users I encountered.

I meant to add something on these lines too. I rarely get a close pass when it's properly dark, drivers will hang back and make much more effort to overtake properly, on a straighter road where there is more room. I think they are less confident in exactly where the edges of the road are, and coupled with less traffic around, they are more likely to do it right.

bianchimoon

During winter I ride every wednesday night rain, hail or even rare snow on Country lanes, I find drivers get confused by bike lights coming towards them so they slow down a lot more than during daylight, and also are more careful overtaking you, watch out for farmers cr@p or mud on corners and winter dark evenings can be a joy

bianchimoon

redvee wrote:

When out in the country watch for wildlife, it can be quite interesting. I can remember looking up and over my shoulder and spotted an odd shape flying by which I can only assume was a bat as it wasn't bird shaped with two wings sticking out,

I get this occasionally, either a deer running alongside in a field, or a few weeks ago an owl riding alongside me for 10 or 15 seconds only a metre or 2 away.. amazing feeling

keef66

bianchimoon wrote:

redvee wrote:

When out in the country watch for wildlife, it can be quite interesting. I can remember looking up and over my shoulder and spotted an odd shape flying by which I can only assume was a bat as it wasn't bird shaped with two wings sticking out,

I get this occasionally, either a deer running alongside in a field, or a few weeks ago an owl riding alongside me for 10 or 15 seconds only a metre or 2 away.. amazing feeling

Now that I would like to see! All the owls I've seen have been flying...

bianchimoon

keef66 wrote:

bianchimoon wrote:

redvee wrote:

When out in the country watch for wildlife, it can be quite interesting. I can remember looking up and over my shoulder and spotted an odd shape flying by which I can only assume was a bat as it wasn't bird shaped with two wings sticking out,

I get this occasionally, either a deer running alongside in a field, or a few weeks ago an owl riding alongside me for 10 or 15 seconds only a metre or 2 away.. amazing feeling

Now that I would like to see! All the owls I've seen have been flying...

Talented owls round our way

mrb123

Saw 4 owls in one ride last week. 3 barns and a tawny. 3 were flying, one sitting, none riding.

bianchimoon

MrB123 wrote:

Saw 4 owls in one ride last week. 3 barns and a tawny. 3 were flying, one sitting, none riding.

I must have just hit lucky then, when the circus was in town?

keith57

I don't really enjoy riding at night, no views!!

But - it is very safe in my experience.

I have an Exposure Strada on the front, dippable with a button on the handlebar, and an Exposure Blaze on the back.

Rural country lanes aren't an issue for me (foothills of Snowdonia) - there isn't much traffic, you can see cars approaching, so if I'm worried I can just stop. In general though cars don't know what I am (approaching head on) - I think they think I'm some sort of car with one headlamp not working and they will generally pull over and let me pass. Much more so than on the same roads in daylight.

On the bigger roads, I normally avoid these anyway at night, but when I have ventured onto them the Blaze on the back seems to work like some sort of force-field and the cars pass much more courteously too.

Agree with the tip on carrying a small head torch - I have a tiny Petal e+Lite Zip Emergency Headtorch in the tool-roll in case I have to repair a puncture. I also have taken to carrying a big frame pump to get air back into the tyre quickly, it can get cold quite quickly at night!

redvee

bianchimoon wrote:

I get this occasionally, either a deer running alongside in a field, or a few weeks ago an owl riding alongside me for 10 or 15 seconds only a metre or 2 away.. amazing feeling

I was doing my bit for plant hydration on the way home one night and had an owl trying to communicate with me, or perhaps he was telling me off for watering the bushes :oops:

milemuncher1

I spend a lot of time riding at night / in the dark, especially at this time of the year. I prefer country lane riding, because the volume of traffic tends to be far lower. Get some decent reflective kit, and you shouldn't have too many issues IME.

milemuncher1

bianchimoon wrote:

redvee wrote:

When out in the country watch for wildlife, it can be quite interesting. I can remember looking up and over my shoulder and spotted an odd shape flying by which I can only assume was a bat as it wasn't bird shaped with two wings sticking out,

I get this occasionally, either a deer running alongside in a field, or a few weeks ago an owl riding alongside me for 10 or 15 seconds only a metre or 2 away.. amazing feeling

The Owls are using cyclists to flush rodents and things they like to eat ( the owls not the cyclists ), with the lights on the cyclists bikes. That's why you'll often find owls flying alongside you at night.