Reflections on my first darkness “commute”

Today, I found myself in a scheduling bog with a jammed calendar and a need to get one of my cars to the mechanic for repairs.

So, I resolved to drive the car to the mechanic at 5:30AM with my bike in the trunk and then “commute” the 5 mile return home in the dark to get ready for work.

I was a little intimidated, but I’m thinking – “I’ve got my LCI, what’s the big deal”.

Conditions: Low 60’s, Dense Fog

Well, it went fine, but here are my reflections:

• 1) Canari Hi Vis Jackets are worthless for darkness commutes without some serious reflective tape. I opted for my much less ventilated and more reflective Nike Storm-Fit jacket on the assumption that being uncomfortable from being too hot was preferable to being in pain from getting hit.
• 2) Lighting: Fresh batteries make a BIG difference in brightness. I had a fiz’ik seat light, a Blackburn front light, two glowing bracelets on my left leg, and two flashers clipped to the back of my jacket. One flasher was barely visible because of older batteries.
• 3) A bright Blackburn with flashers may make me more visible, but considerably more lumens are needed to enable me to see the road clearly
• 4) Even well lit areas have very dark places due to trees, space between street lights, etc
• 5) EVERYTHING LOOKS AND SOUNDS DIFFERENT IN THE DARK!
• 6) Fog on eye glasses is treacherous! VERY TREACHEROUS! The droplets reflect all light and severely restrict visibility Fogged up glasses are even worse!
• 7) There are no races when commuting in the dark! Steady and carefule gets to the finish.

This was a good experience to make me comprehend what it really takes to do a real commute.

I experienced the same thing last fall, when I commuted home from the train station, at 8:20 PM, about the same distance as you. I had a blinkie on the back of my bike and one clipped on to the top of my screamingly reflective safety vest. A flashing band on my left leg and arm, too. For the front I had had a fairly good mini-Newt on flashing mode and the first time, I also had my headlamp on my helmet.
Well, once I got out of Concord center, I could not see at all! The streetlights are few and far between and they were all on the other side of the road. That made a huge difference. I wore my clear lenses in my sunglasses and they also fogged.
Next time I got another front light to add to the mini-Newt. It was more of a light to see, rather than "be seen", as the headlamp wasn't bright enough. It was an improvement, until the night it started raining, apparently only along the path I was riding...
I haven't done any night rides since then, but you are right, it puts everything in a different perspective.

Good for you Mr. Silver!

I have a front headlamp on my helmet, a back flashing self-leveling helmet light, two front headlights on the bike, one very bright tail light set to blink and pointed a bit down, two blinking red tail lights on my rear bike bag, a long flashing strip hanging from my back pack and the usual reflectors I never took off the bike. I look like a Christmas tree.

From October to March I bike home every night in the dark but it's only about 4 miles. Lots of traffic but when they see me coming they flinch out of the way. I'm sure they think I'm crazy.

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Originally Posted by Mr. Silver

[*]5) EVERYTHING LOOKS AND SOUNDS DIFFERENT IN THE DARK!

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So true, LOL. The sound of lawn sprinklers coming to life in someone's yard is one of the scariest sounds at 4 a.m.!

Good for you, Mr!
Now that it's getting darker earlier, I'm riding for a bit in the semi-darkness. I actually find it more peaceful in the dark, but I'm only riding on very lightly traveled roads. I once rode on a very high traffic road in pitch dark and it scared the beejeebers out of me! :eek:

Do you think that commuting is something you'd try to do regularly?

I guess that is the difference between an occasional dark / foggy ride and a regular commute. I got a set of 400L DiNotte lights (400 lumens front, 200 lumens back), and also have a "backup" generator light and a strong Blackburn blinkie in back. I also have an amber down-low glow tube to install when I am regularly riding in the dark at night (at high latitude, it stays light past 10 at the beginning of the summer here). I am also deciding what to install on the wheels to be more visible -- I am leaning towards tire stem lights, since they come in red / white for the back and front wheel, and won't throw off the wheel balance. I also just purchased a solar rechargeable amber light, which I am going to wear on my left wrist to make turn signals more visible. If I like the light, I will likely get two additional ones to wear as ankle straps -- this is what they are designed for, since clipless pedals do not have reflectors.

In any case, since I am set up for night commuting, I haven't had any issues or fear during the night or during storms (not much fog here!). Half of my commute is on a 4-lane road with almost no stops, where the traffic is light (so they can easily move over to give me the entire lane), but is moving at 45-50 mph in places (speed limit 40 mph). I haven't had any problems or fear with this setup. However, my light setup cost about the same as my bike... this is only going to make sense for a dedicated commuter.

Check your lights -- rechargeable batteries are better than regular batteries these days, so it makes sense to get re-chargeable AAs and AAAs and swap out for fully charged batteries regularly. And I am planning to get ski goggles to deal with cold/condensation in the winter here -- I'm sure you could get something similar for fog. Good for you, the next time out will be even better as you keep tweaking things.

man- yelsel- you are seriously pimped out for the dark! :D
I'm impressed!

Thanks for posting this. I'm going to try easing into a dark commute soon, with twilight quickly approaching during the time it takes me to reach my car at the park and ride. I'm hoping that by easing into it I'll be able to adjust my riding and my vision, and not feel out of control. If I don't adjust, I'll know before it's really dark, and stop commuting until spring.

One of my many fears is flatting in the dark. I'm sure it happens more in the dark than in daylight with the loss of visibility (although, maybe the lights reflect glass more, and flats are less frequent?). Also, the deer are already becoming more active. I rode past some, right in the road, after work the other day. I guess whether in car or on bike they're scary to pass.

Anyway, good to know about the fog. I'll be sure to carry an extra cloth for wiping off my glasses.

Mr Silver, since I know you're a professional & prefer quality, i'd like to suggest some Ay-Ups. THey now have lights designed for roadies.

http://www.ayup-lights.com/

I only use three lights: a headlamp, a front spot, and a rear tail light that I set to blink. But I do have reflective stickers on the back of my helmet and on my commuter bike, on the back fender. On my road bike, my seat bag has a reflective tape. I wear a reflective ankle band.

I use hardware store safety glasses. This sounds gross but it works: spit in them and then wipe them completely. It will keep them from fogging up.

Most of the roads I ride on have no streetlights - they are rural and full of potholes. The commuter bike does much better on winter / dark roads than my road bike, as it has better tires. I will be switching to the commuter pretty soon now that it is darker at night and in mornings. Redrhodie, the investment on the commuter of tough (but heavier) tires was worth it.

Indi, I have been doing the slobber/wipe thing for years with swim goggles and ski goggles. I need to get some more 'side lighting' for my bike. The nearest collision I had last year in the dark was someone trying to turn left into me... any opinions everyone? I saw those spoke wrap lights or reflective tape or whatever that were posted recently, but it seems like they may throw off the balance of the wheel - what else have people used?

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Originally Posted by Mr. Silver

I was a little intimidated, but I’m thinking – “I’ve got my LCI, what’s the big deal”.

This was a good experience to make me comprehend what it really takes to do a real commute.

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Preston should have taken you guys out in the dark for a bit to play with the lights and reflectors ;-) I remember though that when I got my LCI, the night ride turned out to be around 9 miles, because that's how far we had to go to find somewhere that was really, really dark. It was good though, since Chris & Barry took the time to teach how to lead night rides for the Commuter course.

I ride a lot in the dark, and with a lot of rednecks motoring around here, I like lights that burn holes in the ozone layer. Typically I run a Stella or a Dinotte 200 in the front, with a Dinotte 140 and/or a SuperFlash in the back. Then I like reflective stuff, too ;-)

Lights be good...

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Originally Posted by Tri Girl

Do you think that commuting is something you'd try to do regularly?

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Nope, it's just not practical when I have to wear a suit and have nowhere convenient to shower...but, if I did, as Indi said, I'm convinced that I wouldn't have been as nervous on a commuter with more suitable tires.

Tom, Preston did take us out...but sunset here is a 8:20 right now meaning that it's not dark until close to Saturday's finish time of 9PM...but, that man has some serious lights! I was also amazed at the difference that the reflective sidewals make!

CC: those look like outstanding lights and I like the idea of having something attached to my head where I can better direct the beam. I think that would have given me more comfort - particularly since we have a serious URBAN DEER problem...

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Originally Posted by ginny

Indi, I have been doing the slobber/wipe thing for years with swim goggles and ski goggles. I need to get some more 'side lighting' for my bike. The nearest collision I had last year in the dark was someone trying to turn left into me... any opinions everyone? I saw those spoke wrap lights or reflective tape or whatever that were posted recently, but it seems like they may throw off the balance of the wheel - what else have people used?

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I have reflective sidewalls for a start - the Vittoria Randonneur tires are great for commuting, and I haven't had a flat after a year of commuting and weekend rides. This is even after being lazy and not trading out the back tire for a trainer tire.

I have an amber Down Low Glow from Rock the Bike.

I was considering getting valve stem lights -- my LBS has ones that are very bright and robust, with 3 batteries, and they are like large christmas bulbs (a lot of visible light, especially on the sides), and don't turn off like the novelty lights. They come in two packs of white or red, so I could mix and match and get white on the front wheel, red on the back. I don't remember the manufacturer and couldn't find them when searching.

I just found this bike safety light online, which is produced by a bicycle safety group and appears to have some research behind it. I am not sure about the light being blue though; I find blue-tinted headlights to be very annoying, and running blue lights might be technically illegal since it is reserved for the police. I like that it is small and will fit in a seatbag; I did just buy one to play with and might stick it with the around-town beater bike as an additional light if I happen to be out on it past dark.

The ankelite was produced to replace the missing reflectors from clipless pedals with amber lights on an ankle strap. I want one to put on my left wrist for signaling though; supposedly they are visible during the day as well. They are solar-rechargeable, which is pretty neat. I have two rechargeable batteries on my commuter to worry about already, and will be adding a third with the downlow glow.

I ADORE riding in the dark/wee morning hours! Much less traffic in my area, which is key for me. My setup:

- 2 headlights - these are cheapy Scwinn's but work great as long as I'm diligent about keeping fresh batteries in them
- 2 tailights (one flashing, one static)
- 1 firefly on my camelback
- 1 firefly attached to each wheel (zip tied to the spokes)
- reflective tape on my helmet and bike
- reflective ankle straps

Riding in the dark makes me feel SAFE. With my rearview mirror I can see cars/headlights way earlier than I can in daylight. Barely any traffic means I can be seen by cars WAY in advance as well. It's also rare that I would have cars passing me in both directions at once. This means cars coming up behind me usually pass all the way into the other lane which is really nice. Some people think I'm crazy when I say I'd rather ride in the dark, but I love it! If I'm not on the road by 4 or 5am, I don't go. ;)

ETA: The silence of darkness is also great. I love being able to hear a car coming before I even see headlights.

For the past couple of years I've gathered with some of the local bike club folks and we've done a night gear test - light and reflectors, what is effective and what isn't.

Some of the things we've found

Do not rely on brightly colored clothing - even your screaming neon yellow jacket becomes invisible at dusk.

You need *both* lights and reflectors. Lights are most effective when it is the darkest. Reflectors work well when there are cars around, whose headlights might be drowning out your lights.

Moving lights and reflectors are very eye catching. Put them on things that turn - like your wheels and things that move up and down - your legs.

Reflective sidewalls are very cool - until they get dirty and then they don't reflect much any more, so keep them clean.

Most cyclists are most invisible from the side - we pretty much all had front and rear lights, but cars on side streets may not see you if you don't have a light that shines to the side. (like a down low glow or valve stem lights).

The Dinotte tail light is like a miniature sun......

My personal set up is:
a Minewt on my handlebars
a red flasher/reflector combo on my messenger bag (I should get another for my bike - this one is now on my bag because the clip broke)
an LED flashlight rubber banded to my helmet (this one is for pointing at drivers and extra light when its really dark. I chose an LED flashlight instead of a bike specific light because it is very small and very light)
a white Knog on my front messenger bag strap (I lost the red one that used to be on the back :( )
valve stem lights - these are *very* noticeable, probably the best light I have for sheer what's that factor - mine are green.
a band of reflective ribbon on my messenger bag strap. (the other folks at the night light test said this was very effective)
a band of reflective ribbon on the bottom of my messenger bag
reflective leg bands
reflective heels on my shoes (I have winter Sidis) - and my new tights have reflective piping on the back of the legs.
I used to have some 3m reflective stickers on my fender/flap too - but the fender broke and I had to replace it. I don't think I've put more on since then.

oh and btw - keep your lights consistent with other traffic. Don't put a red flasher pointing to the front of your bike.... you appear to be going the opposite direction that you really are. This can be really freaky if you are on a MUT and suddenly you realize someone who you thought was going away from you is actually coming towards you...

White light towards the front, red/amber lights to the rear
have fun with your side lights, they can be most any color except.....
Some states (like this one) specify *no* flashing blue lights - these are reserved for the exclusive use of police

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Originally Posted by Mr. Silver

Nope, it's just not practical when I have to wear a suit and have nowhere convenient to shower...but, if I did, as Indi said, I'm convinced that I wouldn't have been as nervous on a commuter with more suitable tires.

Tom, Preston did take us out...but sunset here is a 8:20 right now meaning that it's not dark until close to Saturday's finish time of 9PM...but, that man has some serious lights! I was also amazed at the difference that the reflective sidewals make!

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Preston said a little while back that he was amazed how much he had invested in bike lights, and how grateful he was that Mrs. Preston didn't realize that ;-) After seeing his rig at a training seminar back last December, I went out and invested in a set of Dinottes, and have been very happy with them. That tail light wards off wheelsuckers, and when I turn the Stella on, all the bike ninjas squawl as well ;-) on a straight street or trail, I can pick out the ninjas - joggers or bikers - at more than a quarter mile if they've got any movement or reflectivity. (And then they yell at me for my lights ;-) )

For those curious, here's one of the demos that they run at the LCI training course, this one in North Carolina last year...

LCI Night Ride – How Visible are You?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epZdXfvrRmU

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Originally Posted by PscyclePath

Preston said a little while back that he was amazed how much he had invested in bike lights, and how grateful he was that Mrs. Preston didn't realize that ;-)

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I suspect that Mrs. P is very happy Mr. P is VERY visible;)

Plus, he get's good deals at Expo's

When is it best to use flashing lights versus non-flashing up front? I don't want to blind oncoming drivers, but I want to see and be seen. Is there a rule of thumb, or is it just my preference?

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Originally Posted by redrhodie

When is it best to use flashing lights versus non-flashing up front? I don't want to blind oncoming drivers, but I want to see and be seen. Is there a rule of thumb, or is it just my preference?

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Some people may not agree with me but as a driver or an observer of other cyclists I think a flashing light is more visible and more indicative that you are a bicycle. As a cyclist I need a steady light to see by.

Personally I use both. My flashing light is not a bright as my steady light and my steady light is pointed at the ground so that it is not blinding people.

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Originally Posted by Eden

Some people may not agree with me but as a driver or an observer of other cyclists I think a flashing light is more visible and more indicative that you are a bicycle. As a cyclist I need a steady light to see by.

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I agree with this. While reading through this thread, I was remembering a couple of instances when, while driving, I noticed a cyclist with flashing red lights clipped to the back of his/her jersey. It was a clearly visible sight, and it got my attention because it wasn't anything I was used to seeing on the road. I wondered what in the world it was - and I got in the other lane and watched out for it and then was able to pass safely. As a cyclist, that's what you want.

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Originally Posted by GulfCoastAmy

I ADORE riding in the dark/wee morning hours! Much less traffic in my area, which is key for me. ETA: The silence of darkness is also great. I love being able to hear a car coming before I even see headlights.

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ME TOO!!! I LOVE early morning hours. I use to commute to work at 4am every day until the office became an 8-5 shop (I can't believe, in this day and age, they did this, so I am PI****, and angry), but I still get up at an early hour (now 4:30am, was 3:30am) and go out for a spin. I usually only can do 12.5 miles before I have to hit the showers and get ready for the bus. I have always had, what I thought a good set up for a dark (early hours) commute... Minute II headlight with several white blinkies in the front and a bike planet flashing light hanging off my camelback, and another red strobe type light (can't remember the name) off my pannier, in the back. My DH said I was lit up like a christmas tree, AND I FELT SAFE!!!

I see so many joggers now that I just ride for the fun of it in the early morning and I yell at them "GET A LIGHT, YOU CAN't BE SEEN!!!). I don't know what they think, but as a jogger was hit and killed on Friday morn, maybe my warning will get someone to listen.

I miss my morning commute more than anyone can imagine (except for someone else who might have one), but I absolutely love my morning ride. I know my weather will be changing soon and it will be too cold/wet to continue, but I will never give it up. It is scary at times when I hear sirens and wonder, uh oh, where is that coming from, but the air is so clean and fresh...the sounds are of night hawks and occassional cat fights...it is so wonderful for an urbanite who has to face the humdrum of daylight hours....anyway, I am rambling.

LIGHT UP and witness the early morning....it is wonderful!!!!

So, I'm in the dark riding club! I went for my first one last night after I got home from work. I was disappointed that rain was still falling when I woke up in the morning and I decided not to ride. The rest of the day got continually better, and it was lovely when I got home. Bf had the night off, and when I decided to go for a ride at 6:30, he asked if instead I would rather walk downtown and get some gelato. Oh, that was tempting, but the ride still sounded better! Off I went.

I planned my route so it wouldn't be truly dark until I was back on the road with street lights. While it was dusk, I had my lights on strobe just for safety. My front light was a cateye I stole off bf's commuter, and I have to say, it really sucked. Vision-wise, the first thing to go, way before it was even a little dark, was the ability to see rocks in the road. I only hit one, but I pretty much know this road better than the back of my hand. I know every pothole and crack, but rocks move, so not seeing them coming is an issue. So, after I hit my rock, I decided I'd better slow it down a little to possibly see them coming. The light really isn't good enough for that even at slow speed, as I hit a stick a little later, but I made it through without flatting!

Then I settled into it, and really liked it. It felt very "in the moment". Then, as I'm in this really focused place, I'm surprised by a sound quickly approaching from the back. It was another rider, no lights, no helmet, break-neck speed, we all know him, it's our friend "Fred"! :p. He flew past me. Must be nice to not care. :rolleyes:

Cars gave me lots of room. I knew I could be seen when the young guy yelled something at me out the window. I'm sure it was something like Wow, you're amazin'! ;) :rolleyes:

Anyway, I'm hooked. I know I can safely commute with some better lights. It was fun.

Congratulations! You're amazing! :p

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Originally Posted by indigoiis

Congratulations! You're amazing! :p

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I know you are but what am I! :p ;)

great thread! just wish i had seen it 5 days ago.....Ive been commuting since last april with no issues. i leave my house at 6am for a 5 mile ride. None of my route is really busy, in fact, what isn't through neighborhoods is on roads with good bike lanes. As sunrise has been getting later, my ride has been getting darker. While ive thought about changing my work schedule so i could commute in the light, the early morning ride is kind of nice and there is much less traffic. So last friday, i was pedaling along through the neighborhoods and it happened to be trash day. While i had a headlight it was more focused on the ground for potholes. i didnt even see the trash can (in salt lake they are 3.5 feet high and 2.5 feet around). There is also street parking along this road and the homeowner had placed the trash can way out in the street -beyond where the cars park-so the trash truck could get to it. To make a long story short, i ended up in the er with a "broken shoulder" and "broken elbow". I have surgery on Wednesday for the elbow and the doc says i wont be riding for three months. Needless to say i'm bummed. Not only because i wont be riding for a while but this incident has given fuel to my husband who doesn't think road riding is safe, much less commuting in the dark......

my lesson is while it is IMPERITIVE to make sure you are visible when you are on the road, you also need to be able to SEE where you are going-even when you do the same route and know it well...

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Originally Posted by Avocet

To make a long story short, i ended up in the er with a "broken shoulder" and "broken elbow". I have surgery on Wednesday for the elbow and the doc says i wont be riding for three months. Needless to say i'm bummed. Not only because i wont be riding for a while but this incident has given fuel to my husband who doesn't think road riding is safe, much less commuting in the dark......

my lesson is while it is IMPERITIVE to make sure you are visible when you are on the road, you also need to be able to SEE where you are going-even when you do the same route and know it well...

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Ouch! I hope you heal up quickly, and you are back on the bike soon! I will think of your story when I ride on trash day forever-more!

OW! You poor thing!

Red, I use both a flashing front and a steady front. I have a "headlight" to light up the lane in front of me and a flasher on the helmet.

I'll probably keep the cateye up front just for the strobe, and I'm going to the lbs tomorrow to get a better quality light. I think I'm getting something by Minewt. I also had to wear my winter jacket even though it was really warm because it has great reflective piping, and none of my lighter weight jerseys do. So I'm probably also going to do something about that, maybe reflective straps for arms and legs.

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Originally Posted by Yelsel

I have an amber Down Low Glow from Rock the Bike.

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Me too! And mine is amber too! I like night rides just to show that thing off.

I've focused on lights that don't require AA and AAA batteries, because those were always dying on me. I have reelights (magnet powered) on my wheels, front & back, and a generator-powered hub light, and the downlow glo which has a rechargeable battery.

I recently got a light for my road bike and have done 2 dark, early AM rides of ten miles. While I have 2 lights on my hybrid, this one light seems so much better that it is fine. I wear a reflective vest, have a super bright red flasher on the back and 2 flashing ankle bands. I loved the peacefulness of riding at this time! My only issue is that wearing the clear lenses in my sunglasses seem to distort my vision a little. It was better this week, though. I could ride without glasses, but it's probably not safe.
Next week I hope to do one of my regular 15 mile loops before work.

As another lover of riding in the dark, all I can say is you can never have too many lights and reflective stuff. My evening commutes are getting darker. I'll be hanging up my speedy Ruby, with it's skinny tires, in favor of my trusty LHT very soon. The Surly, nicknamed The Tank, has wider tires, full fenders, all my light mounts and is my "ride through anything" bike. I know summer is really over when the Tank becomes my daily ride. Next thing you know I'll be hunting for my extra set of wheels with the studded tires. You've gotta love living with four seasons! :D bikerHen