General Cycling Discussion - Night ride

It's sad but I haven't been on the bike in a month :( . I had the urge to go for a ride last night (9pm). It was beautiful out and wanted to try my lights that I've had for several months but have never used. Anyway, I did a quick 4 or 5 miles to see if I liked riding at night ... I do :D . There's less traffic, the air is cool and it's just ... I don't know, nice to ride at night. If you've got lights and the urge comes, go for a night ride. :thumbup:
:beer:

I like it too.
The air is totally different. At least in my area the roads are much quieter.
I don't push it hard when I take the occasional night ride, just riding gently savouring the moment. Speeds up recovery too if you've had a hard ride that day.

Yea night rides are brilliant, so quiet almost eiree (can't spell ) Pass through occasional villages Just a few lights on in the cottages, occasional owl, badger or fox crossing the road. just the swish of the tyres and the click of the pawl for company.
bought a new front light last week must try a night ride soon :thumbup:

I like riding in the very early hours before dawn, for the same reasons.
Just make sure you're well lit up and wear reflective vests , put reflective tape on your bike etc.
Don't give anyone the excuse 'Duhhhh sooooorry I didn't see ya'

cheers

I think night rides are my favorite, although I have to limit my mileage due to battery drain. In fact sometimes I think they are safer than daytime spins in regards to traffic since there are fewer cars out and about and because you can see approaching headlights so far ahead and behind.
Can't stress the need to be highly visible, tho...

if ya ain't tried it, ya don't know what yer missin'...

I'd think it is better safety-wise to ride in the morning. Too many drunks and hooligans out at night and on the roads.

Either way, the darkness enhances the solitude and peacefulness of riding a bike.

Night riding is a cool thing to do with kids. My son and I will frequently put on the lights and ride after dark. Kids (and Dad's) think its a hoot.

I'm going to take the common sense viewpoint from a driver...I CANT FREAKIN SEE YOU! If you feel like getting hit, then go ahead, but in a crash, a 20lb bike will lose in a crash with a 3000lb car.

Originally posted by Phatman
I'm going to take the common sense viewpoint from a driver...I CANT FREAKIN SEE YOU! If you feel like getting hit, then go ahead, but in a crash, a 20lb bike will lose in a crash with a 3000lb car.

Have you seen any of the lights for bicycles lately? Front & rear lights are practically blinding. The rear is an obnoxious, bright red strobe and the front is a bright halogen. I'm probably better seen at night with the lighting then during broad daylight.


:beer:

Night rides are really beautiful and normally quit peaceful. I do feel a little tension at speed though, hoping that no obstructions have turned up since last I rode a route.

Night rides are great. Stay off the rodes though. Try a night ride on a bike trail. Only worries are the critters.

i like my predawn commute ride because not only do i get to ride in cool, dense morning air, i also get to see the world wake up and gradually light up. it's very cool.

Night riding may be as safe as day rinding, but there are a few key points.

1. Obeying the rules of the road.
People don't see as well at night, and especially don't have as much peripheral vision. Wrong-way cyclists, people jumping stop signs, etc. are much more at risk at nighttime.

2. Using lghts and reflectors.
For vehicular cyclists, the important points are a headlight, a good taillight (or two, for redundancy), and good rear reflector(s). See John Allen's articles (http://www.bikexprt.com/bicycle/index.htm) for background information on rear reflectors.

3. Using more cautious techniques.
For example, at night, I don't turn left by moving to the centreline and waiting for an opening in traffic, because I fear my rear end might not be well enough protected.

4. Watching traffic all around. Even more important at night.

Regards,