Bike Safety - riding at night or alone on trails

[Crankin]

I second the pre-dawn riding. It is peaceful, there's less traffic and there is something very cool about riding as the sun comes up.
I swore I would never ride in the dark, but I started bout 3 years ago. I bought a light that was better for the "to be seen" category, and that didn't fly in the semi-rural suburb I live in, with very few streetlights. Got a better light and went from a 4 mile ride home from the train station on my hybrid when I was going to grad school, to 10-20 mile rides starting anywhere between 5 and 6 AM on my road bike.
It does require cold weather gear at this time of year, but I already had that.
I would suggest getting used to riding on the road. It's actually easier to do this early in the morning. Trails are OK, but as you progress, you will start getting annoyed with the walkers, strollers, roller bladders, dogs, etc.

[pll]

I second the pre-dawn riding. It is peaceful, there's less traffic and there is something very cool about riding as the sun comes up.

WARNING! It can be addictive. I am so miffed after not riding this morning, that it is starting to make me laugh at myself. I was ready to go, the temperature was probably 50.

[jyyanks]

Thanks All for the advice and thoughtful responses.

A little bit of background, I live in the suburbs of NYC - not exactly a bike-friendly community as there are tons of hills, sharp turns and very little bikes on the road. Most bike riders ride in designated areas (trails, parks etc). While I would love to ride to work, there is no direct path. I would have to cut through the Bronx (yikes!) or get on a parkway (not an option). There are bike trails along the highways but they do not all tie together.

I would love to ride in the early morning but my husband actually leaves early in the morning for work and I have 2 kids at home.

I think riding the trail at night is not an option (I'm paranoid) so maybe I can buy a really good light and ride around my neighborhood or a nearby school (lighted) at night. I may pick up an airzound as well (may make me feel safer). I do have cold weather riding gear so at least I can check off that box!

The other option is to enroll in a gym and take up spinning. I have a couple of gyms in the area that I can look into. I am waiting for a bikeshare program to become available in NYC. When that happens, I'm hoping I can get some lunchtime rides in but the program won't roll out until next year. Still, it's something to look forward to

Thank you again for your help.

[pll]

Quick update, just close my hijack... The MiNewt had somehow gone into 'locked mode' and their tech support asked me to press the power button for 6 seconds... It works now. I still worry about how long it remains charged, but I'm riding tomorrow morning.

[Antaresia]

woah, I would think riding on the trails after dark is WAY scarier than city riding. I frequently ride after dark since I don't own a car and pretty much refuse to use public transit now : D

Riding at night is the best. There's a lot less traffic, and since there aren't cars *everywhere* I can rely on my ears a billion times more than during heavy daytime traffic. Because of this, I actually feel a little safer! I do tend to ride a little more left than normal, due to reduced visibility + skunk possibility. I was nervous at first too but quickly found zipping through the cool night air to be relaxing.

On a trail? I wouldn't trust my ears to hear pedestrians, and I would imagine there is a greater risk of rocks/garbage/roots/holes/whatever than on a paved road. I've never done it, but give me pavement any day.

[jyyanks]

Update: Ok I decided to take a chance and ended up riding at a local school which was well lighted and had a couple of cars in the lot (most likely the cleaning crew). I got about 25 minutes in and it felt good.

I still have to buy a light and reflective tape before I can ride on any public roadways but at least it was a start.

I also looked into 2 gyms. The prices were a little outrageous so I am going to try and see if I can continue riding around the school. If I do this again, I will need something to cover my ears. My ears were the only part of me that were cold!

[tulip]

I don't know if you have any YMCAs near you, but their rates are pretty reasonable. They also don't have any long-term contracts. I can use any Y in my metro area, which is great since I live about equidistant from three of them.

I spent the last two winters telling myself I would ride outside daily, but I rarely did. I paid for it in fitness. This year, I'm sucking it up and going to the Y for spin classes and some weight training. If I had a commute, I would commute by bike, but I don't since I work from home. It is surprisingly difficult to get up and away from work to go for a bike ride in the middle of the day even when it's technically possible.

[jyyanks]

I don't know if you have any YMCAs near you, but their rates are pretty reasonable. They also don't have any long-term contracts. I can use any Y in my metro area, which is great since I live about equidistant from three of them.

I spent the last two winters telling myself I would ride outside daily, but I rarely did. I paid for it in fitness. This year, I'm sucking it up and going to the Y for spin classes and some weight training. If I had a commute, I would commute by bike, but I don't since I work from home. It is surprisingly difficult to get up and away from work to go for a bike ride in the middle of the day even when it's technically possible.

I don't have a Y near me but there is a planet fitness and they have stationary bikes. I'm trying to determine if I will be motivated enough to actually ride a stationary bike without an instructor and a group motivating me. To be honest, last winter, I gained 10 pounds and I don't want that to happen again so I definitely have to do something!

I totally know what you mean about not being able to go for a bike ride in the middle of the day when you work from home. I actually work from home on Fridays (in the city the rest of the week) and I can barely get away for lunch, much less a bike ride. I find it much easier to leave for 30 minutes when I am physically in the office then when I am at home.

However, I did find that if I ride in the morning (after the kids get on the bus and before I start my work day), I am more apt get out. The key is getting out before I start my day.

[Cynedra]

I would absolutely cry without my trainer. If I'm alone with the boys they can play with something and I can ride with them there. Until we took the training wheels off their bike we had a homemade trainer for their bikes as well. It is really something to consider if you have problems getting out. I still prefer real rides but it is better than nothing.

[jahnin24f]

I agree! How great it feels riding upon the cool wind of the night and love doing it daily from our house to the beach and to nearby towns for about an hour but of course with lights on. Having one on one with the road, (sometimes I can make a one hour bike ride encountering cars that I can count on my fingers) I can even look up counting stars not bothering to be hit by a car at all!

[Biciclista]

I ride all winter but not daily. my rules are (which are subject to change) either dark or rainy, but not dark AND rainy. this time of year that reduces me to about 1 commute a week.
I have powerful lights on my bike and on my helmet.

[jyyanks]

I was pretty gung ho when i went out for a ride on Tuesday but haven't gone out again. However, I should be able to get some rides in over the weekend. Hopefully i can ride at least 2x during the week and during the weekend until November. I'm not sure if I will be able to brave the cold after that