Pre-dawn riding - a little nervous

It is supposed to be another hot and muggy day tomorrow, so am considering starting my morning ride tomorrow before dawn. This may not seem like much, but I haven't ridden in the dark before - and I ride in the country :D

I also figure I had better start doing this from time to time, as the cut-off time for the brevet in October is 2 hours after sunset. This seems to be a good way to start.

So I have my Stella 150 headlight charged and on my bike, and one seat-stay mounted very bright flashy thing waiting for tomorrow morning. My plan is to start about 30 minutes before "official" sunrise, so it shouldn't be totally dark, just an introduction to semi-dark country roads. Tomorrow's route is only 23-25 miles, and one that I am quite familiar with - the bit with the rough roads will come long after sunrise!

I am a little nervous about this for some reason, but also looking forward to seeing what it is like to be out riding at dawn. At least I get to finally use this expensive headlight, though it won't be dark enough to see if it is REALLY bright enough for night-use without a companion light.

I do want another flashy thing for my other seat-stay, and one for either the back of my Camelbak or/and helmet but for a holiday morning this should be fine..

I think you'll be just fine starting out before the sun officially rises. I have often done that, without any problems...and I'm only using a Planet Bike Superflash tail light on my bike...no headlight at all (but I only do this on weekend mornings when traffic is extremely light). Plus, with it being a holiday weekend...lots of folks are off work tomorrow, so traffic will be lighter than normal for a Monday.

You'll likely be pleasantly surprised:) I enjoy riding after dark or before sunrise, and often find that on dark roads cars seem to see me better! Just stay within you light) as you do when driving (don't go so fast you can't see to stop), and enjoy!

butt crack of dawn riding is magical- Just make sure you have a flashing red light on the rear of your bike as well as a snog or bug light - also flashing, on your helmet. You can buy strips of reflective tape to put across the back of your jacket or buy a reflective vest or wear one that is brightly colored and reflective. Ride a bit slower and let you eyes adjust to the less light, take your dark glasses for when the sun comes up, and enjoy the mystery and the miracle of seeing the day born and the country come alive.

marni

Okay, Marni. After reading that post, I now have to see if I can get out during the early morning over the next few days.:)

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Originally Posted by marni

butt crack of dawn riding is magical- Just make sure you have a flashing red light on the rear of your bike as well as a snog or bug light - also flashing, on your helmet. You can buy strips of reflective tape to put across the back of your jacket or buy a reflective vest or wear one that is brightly colored and reflective. Ride a bit slower and let you eyes adjust to the less light, take your dark glasses for when the sun comes up, and enjoy the mystery and the miracle of seeing the day born and the country come alive.

marni

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Ok, you have inspired me to leave 15 minutes earlier as I've a 30 minute drive to my starting point... It is a great place to ride though. I won't be facing the sunrise as I am less familiar with those roads that go east from my starting point. For my first pre-dawn ride I want to be familiar with the road surface. NEXT time will head east :)

Have a ball :) You can in fact be more visible with a blinking red light in the dark/dusk than in broad daylight with lots of visual competition.

Since I ride year-round I get to ride pre-dawn a lot, but not in summer, I'd have to be up all night.

Watching the sunrise from a bicycle is beautiful!

Had an awesome 25 mile ride! Didn't really need the headlight, though I used it and after sunrise put it on flashing. It was fun to watch the country wake up! I am not sure my headlight is actually bright enough for use in full country darkness so am going to have to experiment with my lighting options prior to October, but it was fun.

Thanks for the encouragement!

I don't mean to hijack the thread, but...
I'm planning on doing a crack-of-dawn ride tomorrow or Wednesday. BF still has my tail light. I'm planning on doing a trail ride. My head light is with me. Think a red glow stick zip-tied or creatively duct taped to the seat bag is a reasonable sub for a tail light? I'd be using it for "hey, I'm here!" purposes, for any other cyclists on the trail.

Of course, if I go on Wednesday and can get to the bike shop tomorrow, no biggie.

Thanks for sharing Catrin - sounds like you had a great experience. You've also inspired us to give it a try :)

It was a lot of fun - and now I am inspired to try and head out earlier, try true night riding. In baby stages :)

Owlie, I've no idea how bright that glow-stick would be - but would you be out on the trail in full darkness, or more like the pre-dawn somewhere-in-between like I was?

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Originally Posted by Catrin

So I have my Stella 150 headlight charged and on my bike, and one seat-stay mounted very bright flashy thing waiting for tomorrow morning.

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So are you hooked on early a.m. riding? :) There's nothing like waking up with nature. If you think you're going to continue to ride early morning/late evening, here's something that you might want to put on your wish list...a helmet mounted light. It really makes a difference in your night rides and you will be able to look around and see where you're going rather than just the road in front of you.

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Originally Posted by sundial

So are you hooked on early a.m. riding? :) There's nothing like waking up with nature. If you think you're going to continue to ride early morning/late evening, here's something that you might want to put on your wish list...a helmet mounted light. It really makes a difference in your night rides and you will be able to look around and see where you're going rather than just the road in front of you.

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Thanks for the link - and I am also looking at the Ay-Up lighting system for my bike - I've been looking at that for quite some time as I will need a lighting solution for true night riding in the country.

Would you say that this helmet mounted light is bright enough for night in the country?

Our foursome rides at the crack of dawn three times a week. We leave early enough to get a 20-30 mile ride in before work and I love it. It is magical watching the sun rise and the countryside wake up---it's also much cooler and there is a lot less traffic. We don't use headlights, just flashing taillights and even if you leave before dawn, it is daylight before you know it.

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Originally Posted by Bike Chick

Our foursome rides at the crack of dawn three times a week. We leave early enough to get a 20-30 mile ride in before work and I love it. It is magical watching the sun rise and the countryside wake up---it's also much cooler and there is a lot less traffic. We don't use headlights, just flashing taillights and even if you leave before dawn, it is daylight before you know it.

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It sounds delightful :)

I figure on my October brevet that I am going to be out in the country for at least an hour or two after sunset (cut-off time is 2 hours after sunset) - unless I can do 200k in 11 hours or less by then - and while that could happen I need to be prepared for otherwise ;) It just adds to the adventure :D