Pre-dawn riding - a little nervous

[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

[Owlie]

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.

[Catrin]

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

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

[lph]

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!

[Catrin]

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!

[Owlie]

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.

[MyRubyE]

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

[Catrin]

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?