Riding in the Dark

[Selkie]

Now that the days are getting shorter and I'm being reassigned to a job that will have me working more "normal" hours (no more 6-2:30), I'm trying to find a way to keep up w/my daily outdoor cycling habit. At least until the snow/ice arrives. Could anyone who rides after dark please provide tips on lights (what kind/which brand is best) and other things I should keep in mind while riding after dark? Luckily, most of my favorite ride is a fairly well lit trail, although there definitely are dark spots. I have a trainer but I want to keep up my road skills. Besides, it's so much more fun outside :-) and I don't mind the cold (keeps the trails free of fair weather folk).

[Rakekay]

Where's your "favorite trail" that's well lit? I'm in the DC area too, new to biking and wondering what I'm going to do once it starts getting dark earlier. I run my own company, so my schedule is pretty flexible and most days I can ride in the morning, but would love to know about a well-lit trail for those packed days when I need to ride later.

[Trekhawk]

check out this thread - best bike light by Caligurl 8/24/05. (sorry not clever enough to link this for you).

[Trekhawk]

oops forgot to say its in this Open Topic.

[DirtDiva]

It's nice if you know the path reasonably well before you ride it in the dark so that any tricky bits don't take you by surprise. Just because you can't really see the uneven paving/random gravelly spot/whatever doesn't mean it's not there (and I have the bruises to prove it)!

[shewhobikes]

It's made by Lights & Motion and it's called the Commuter. More than I wanted to pay (around $100) but it WORKS---lights well, plenty far ahead of me. Make sure you get a light that will help you see, not just be seen, if you really will be riding past dark!