Getting dark early--have you considered this?

[TrekTheKaty]

I ran into a delightful couple from Canada the other day, that travel around in their small airplane with two bikes in the back. They said that since it was getting dark early, they had begun mountain biking at night! They do it with approximately 12 friends--beautiful view of the stars and if you stop and look back, you can see the lights of all the riders behind you! Interesting--is this a normal activity out there?! I think a lot of the parks around here close after dark!?

[TahoeDirtGirl]

Yes, people do it quite frequently when it gets dark early. I don't think I would try it unless you are either familiar with the trails or with someone that knows the trails. I did some trails out west with a headlamp and it was quite challenging but fun! Especially on a night with a full moon~!

[Meaux]

There's a ride in Houston in the end of October called the Moonlight Ramble. It starts at 2 AM in downtown Houston and goes through some neat neighborhoods. My husband and I did it last year and found the ride itself to be a bit congested, but I thought the idea was neat. The weather had finally cooled off enough and the moon was really full and bright and I thought it was an amazing way to see the city at night.

[bikerchic]

I've not done it on a mountain bike but we used to go night riding on the Yuma, AZ dunes on our ATV's. FUN TIMES!

[crazycanuck]

Mtn biking & cycling at night are normal..

The Perth MTB 12hr in Dec is held every year from 6pm-6am because it's too hot during the day.

Riding in the dark is tons of fun! Except when it's pouring

[Mr. Bloom]

I ran into a delightful couple from Canada the other day, that travel around in their small airplane with two bikes in the back.

If I had an airplane, I'd more likely fly it to the southern hemisphere

[TrekTheKaty]

We did the Moonlight Ramble in St. Louis--and didn't even need headlights because it was on lit city streets--although the ride through Forest Park was fun!

[7rider]

Interesting--is this a normal activity out there?! I think a lot of the parks around here close after dark!?

Yes. Often times parks (esp. state parks) are closed after sunset. Occasionally, organized groups will work with the state coordinators to get a special permit for group night riding. Of course, laws and regs vary from area to area, so it's best to check with your local area.

I went night riding once. The fire roads were fun. The twisty sections of single track was SCARY!!

[Aggie_Ama]

There is quite a few riders here that do it, mainly the "beginner to intermediate" trail that most riders know very well. DH's friend does it and said it is creepy at first but then gets to be really fun. I have done some night riding, I am not a fan but I will do it. I live in an area with not many streetlights, so night riding is dark country roads. Night trail riding is horrifying to me.