Pre-dawn riding - a little nervous

[Catrin]

I love riding at dawn. Lately it works out so the sun comes up at about halfway through my rides. It's very motivating! I'm ISO a good, affordable headlamp system b/c when the days get shorter I'll be doing more riding in the dark.

I'm afraid of the dark. Not of cars or traffic or hazards but of what I can't see (aka the boogieman). Running in the dark scares the heck out of me, but cycling isn't so scary b/c i figure I'm faster than the boogieman on my bike

I understand this - and glad to hear that I am not the only one

My trainer about had a heart attack when he heard that I want to do this - but from his perspective it is a safety issue dealing with cars in the dark. This is from someone who loves night riding himself - but he doesn't do it on the road - he does mountain biking in the dark. He knows I tend to want to take 3 steps where I should take 1, so to speak, so he really comes down on the safety factor.