What are your "must haves"?

[Redhed]

Hello,
This is my first post, so pretty please be nice! I've been considering commuting to/from work (right now I only ride on the weekends/evenings on road/easy MTB trails). I work rotating 12-hour shifts from 5.30 AM to 5.30 PM (or vice versa), so depending on the time of year, one or both of my rides to/from work are in the dark. Given this, I was searching the web for must haves for nighttime commuter biking and came across this thread....

Does no one ride in the dark? No one mentioned carrying or having installed lights or reflectors on their bikes?! Are they just not helpful? Right now, I have two LEDs installed on the front and back of my bike and they are useful at dusk, but I haven't yet used them at night. Do you think they will be enough or should I get something else?

Any other helpful suggestions?

As for the OP's question, I usually have the following with me on any sort of ride:

helmet
sunglasses
gloves
ID
keys
$$
water
some sort of food
vitamin B
extra socks (I have a thing about sweaty socks)
bike lock (we frequently stop for beers at a brewery on the way back from a ride in a semi-seedy spot)

[crazycanuck]

hey there!

I'll be nice .

I think lights weren't mentioned possibly because: one has them on thier bike permanently or most folks were just thinking day riding?? For back lights, I have one on my bike & one on the back of my helmet. For front lights, I have a good set of Ay-up lights. Since I normally only use helmet lights (can't see with them mounted on my handlebars), these ones are great!

Yes, there are other brands but since i'm in Australia, Ay-ups are very very popular.

I would ensure that i'm visible front and back!!! Don't take your safety lightly when you ride at night. (ok, that's for all times as well but esp at night)

Just remember not to blind anyone with your lights.

Have fun wweeeeeeeeeeeee