My First Night Ride

[li10up]

I did my first night ride yesterday after work. I rode with a friend - I don't think I'd like to do it alone - for safety reasons...ie. getting a flat in the middle of nowhere. But I have to say I really enjoyed the ride. We rode 22 miles. The vehicle traffic must not have been sure of what we were because they gave us a LOT of room. It was very peaceful. Seems like there is a lot less traffic after dark. There are no distractions, just you and the road in front of you. It does make it a bit harder to detect the dog's coming after you. I will definately do this again.

[indysteel]

J, Good for you! I'm so jealous. I've been toying with this for some time and have really good light that's currently not getting any use. If I could find someone to join me, I think I'd be less nervous. What kind of light are you using?

[Velobambina]

I love riding after dark. It can be a very Zen experience, particularly when the sky is clear and the stars are bright. Wait til people start decorating for xmas and colored lights are everywhere--it's a real treat!

[onimity]

That's great, glad that you enjoyed it! I've been riding home in the dark since the daylight savings shift and I really enjoy it. I really hated riding in the dark when I just had bike lights but since I've been riding with a headlamp too I like it a lot better, mostly because you can look in the direction of a noise (like a dog) and see what it is. I heard a little noise to the side of the road the other night and saw a gorgeous little fox, just watching me. The headlamp is great too in case of a flat, etc. I dropped my chain last night and was so glad to have hands-free lighting where I needed it.

Helena had a great suggestion here too, which is that when drivers don't dim their brights for you you can signal them with your headlamp. I was surprised, but it really works! They get it.

Anne

[li10up]

K, I have a CygoLite Night Rover NiMH. http://www.cygolite.com/2-Products/8-RoverNimh.htm When it is on high it lights up the road like a car. The battery fits in the bottle cage. I don't like having to give up a bottle cage but I found out that in the cool evenings I don't drink like I do in the heat and one bottle seems to be plenty for a 20-25 mile ride. It was such a cool experience. I highly recommend it. It will also allow me to get more miles in each week.

onimity, I am thinking about a headlamp so I can see my computer and HR monitor...but it was also kind of nice not staring at them all the time.

[indysteel]

I'm just gonna have to round up a partner. The light I bought--the Light and Motion Arc HID (or something like that) is VERY powerful. It better be 'cause it cost a fortune. I, too, think it would be very Zen. The wind often quiets down at night, too, which would make it more comfortable than riding during the day, even though it's technically colder.

Hmmmmm. Food for thought.

[Pedal Wench]

We have a group ride on Wednesday nights that we do loops in a park. The roads don't have any through traffic, and at night in general, there isn't much traffic from park visitors. We are a decent-sized group, so we're quite visible. I'll admit, it is a different experience when you're so focused on the road, and every noise from the trees around you is a mystery.

[Tri Girl]

I'm jealous. I, too, want to ride at night but haven't yet mustered up the courage. DH and I are going mtn biking Monday night with a group of mtn bikers. I'm excited to see the world in the dark. I need to commute to work, but am not sure about riding for 2 hours in the dark in the morning (and another hour at night). Everyone assures me it's tranquil- I may have to just suck it up and do it.
Thanks for your post- it's given me a little encouragement.

[Aggie_Ama]

You are just determined to beat me to 3,500! And today I can't ride so you are going to gain even more ground. BUT I am heading out to buy my own lights, hopefully my night riding experience is as enjoyable as yours.

Did you ride country roads or ones with wide shoulders? I am concerned about the country roads, so we may have to drive to night ride.

[RoadRaven]

So very cool... I have only had one dusk ride (late home, no lights but big full moon) and one night ride in our front paddock on my mountain bike...

I would like to do more of it too...

[Velobambina]

I'm just gonna have to round up a partner. The light I bought--the Light and Motion Arc HID (or something like that) is VERY powerful. It better be 'cause it cost a fortune. I, too, think it would be very Zen. The wind often quiets down at night, too, which would make it more comfortable than riding during the day, even though it's technically colder.

Hmmmmm. Food for thought.

Indy--I've used that same or similar headlight (Arc Li-on is the one I have) for the last two "dark" seasons and it still runs like a champ. It's bright enought to give more than sufficient light even on the low setting while I'm going through the pitch dark sections of the trail where I ride. It was well worth the investment and the best thing is that the company's customer service is excellent. Last summer, I accidentally beheaded my headlight from it's cord [my fault as I didn't put it securely into the handlebar mount, hit a bump, out it went right into the spokes! LOL]. L&M fixed it at no charge. All I had to do was mail it to them.

[sundial]

K, I have a CygoLite Night Rover NiMH. http://www.cygolite.com/2-Products/8-RoverNimh.htm

That looks like one heck of a light! What other equipment do I need to add to the bike for night riding? I have a pair of Illumi-Nite tights and jacket, just don't know what to add to the bike.

Wait til people start decorating for xmas and colored lights are everywhere--it's a real treat!

I love walking the dogs down our street at Christmas time. I'd like to try it on the bike.

[Aggie_Ama]

Wow! You inspired me to give night riding a go, what a blast!! I am putting your light system on my Christmas list, night riding is too much fun. Maybe now you won't get too far ahead of me in yearly miles.

[jobob]

I got home relatively early from work on Wednesday (for me, relatively early is before 6:30 ) so LeeBob and I went out for a night ride along the Alameda Creek Trail, the west end of which ends out into the San Francisco Bay.

On the bay end there are no lights at all except for the lights from the cities across the bay, so the path itself is pitch black. Excellent for testing light set-ups.

It was crystal clear out on Weds evening so we could see the lights of San Francisco up nort of us. Very pretty, and very serene. I have to agree with Velobambina, riding at night is very peaceful and relaxing.

[li10up]

Amanda, when am I going to learn to keep my mouth shut!? I'm trying to beat you to 3500 but you aren't making it easy on me!!! Seriously though, I'm glad you enjoyed your night ride. We rode one of the same routes we do during the rest of the year. All pretty rural roads. Some places had decent shoulders others did not. But a blinky or two on the rear and a reflective ankle band allowed the cars to see us from a good distance. The headlight illuminated the road and let the oncoming cars see us. It seemed like all the traffic slowed down and gave us lots of room. It was great! I can't wait to do it again. Maybe we can both gain some ground on Lisa. I just looked...you've almost caught her!