Yesterday I did my first "dark" ride, in quite a long time. Maybe since last fall. I went out at 5:15 am, it was just starting to get light, but I still used my big, powerful light. I rode out on a flat road and then decided to ride south on another flattish road. At the end of that, I had a choice. Go straight, up a longer hill and back the way I came, make a sketchy left turn on a curve and go up a smaller hill, left across a road that would busy with traffic going toward Boston, or ride more through some country roads and be out longer than I wanted to be. I chose the second one, and I did have to wait a few minutes to make a left across Rt 117, with a steady stream of cars. Other than this, it was quiet. Some mist/low hanging fog as I rode through a golf course and other valley type areas. About 58 degrees, and I was dressed correctly for once. I did see a couple riding in the other direction nearer to the beginning of my ride. They had crappy little lights and it was still more dark than light out when I saw them. I've been using a front light all of the time for about 3 years and it makes such a difference in how cars react. My big light is as good as a car and has several settings. I only use this in the dark, or in winter. I have a light with less lumens I use most of the other time.
I love riding at this time of day, but this ride is more rural than what I could do when I lived on the other side of town. It was fun to see the town waking up in the shopping area, as well as seeing lots of other cyclists who were as nuts as I am to get up and ride at 5 AM.