Bike Safety - riding at night or alone on trails

[Becky]

<sigh> I had just mentioned I liked riding before dawn and this morning, the MiNewt 600 totally failed. The battery is dead. It is less than 20 days old. At least it failed right in front of my building.

It *should* be under warranty, but with a $150 light, I did not expect to try their customer service. I am so mad right now.

I'm sorry...I know how disappointing that is!

My NR TriNewt went back for service very early on due to a known battery issue. I wasn't happy about such problems so soon, but Nite Rider was very easy to deal with and I've had no light troubles since. *knocks wood*

Give them a call.

[OakLeaf]

I think it really depends on where you are.

In rural Ohio, I just would not ride after dark, no matter the lighting. The roads are narrow, hills and curves are blind (there's almost never more than a quarter-mile sight distance, and those are the long straightaways), no one is expecting low-speed traffic, cell service is spotty because of the hills, and unless you were carrying a SPOT device (which is just too heavy for me to run or ride with), if someone did punt you into the weeds, it could be days before anyone found you.

It's a little better a bit north of me in Amish country, where drivers are conditioned to expect lower-speed traffic, but I think they pretty much stay home after dark too. I know exactly one person who rides after dark, mostly on the MUP but a little bit in town (NOT out in the country), and he has a 'bent with a light system powered by a 12V car battery.

I don't ride off-road, so I can't speak to trail riding, but I think I'd really want a SPOT device before I'd try it after dark. And of course, there's been so much publicity and grumbling from first responders about how people take insane risks because they now have a panic button that they never had before ...

By contrast, in certain towns where there are MUPs along the busier roads and the residential streets are very quiet and well-lit, and it's possible to get from one place to another without having to ride on busy narrow arteries, I love to ride to dinner or a movie or the park. I wear plenty of reflective gear and take it easy - those rides are for fun and transportation, not for a workout. There's definitely a peacefulness to it that you don't get during the daytime.

[turbojackie]

I once got stuck finishing a ride on a trail in the dark. I wasn't alone, but I admit I was spooked. It was very hard to see, because most trails are not light. I also came upon a jogger, totally dressed in black (not smart!) and we just missed a collision!

So, if you can ride on roads safely, try that. But, please, avoid the trails in the dark. Also, I have heard of people stringing a rope across the trail to make you fall and then they can do horrible things to you. Paranoid, maybe a little bit. But it is better to be safe than sorry.

[OakLeaf]

Also, I have heard of people stringing a rope across the trail to make you fall

Monofilament and thin wire are just as invisible during the daytime as they are as night. Every time I've heard of that happening, the people who've gotten hurt have been riding in the daytime. It's a valid concern - yes, a little bit paranoid, but some people are just vicious - but it's more like a fear of having things thrown at you while road riding. Or of being shot at. It's really not a day/night thing.

I think it's more likely to be directed against moto trails than bici trails too, at least I've heard of it happening more often on moto trails.

[indysteel]

While I know plenty of people who don't respect this rule, our local MUT "closes" at night. No one is supposed to be on it. The OP should verify whether her local trails have a similar restriction.