Northern California - Night Ride!

I am thinking of doing a night ride tonight, and would be open to doing it more often.

Why:
- It's unaccounted for time in my day that can be used for riding.
- Peace of the night and darkness
- No one else around, cool feeling of being the only person/people in sight.
- Get to use cool bike lights
- I need to ride more :thumb:

Where:
- Starting in San Mateo, hit up one of the many good hills to get to Skyline or Canada.
- Canada Road (perfect since, it's pretty wide and low volume)
- NO super narrow or twisty mountain roads (like OLH or Kings). This would be a good way to get hit, even with lights, since no one is expecting riders to be on these roads in the dark and there are blind curves, etc, etc...
- Any climbs will be more residential in nature, such as Bunker Hill, Polhemus, etc...

Other details:
This ride is not going to be long or with a grueling amount of climbing. The distance/duration won't be too long, and the hills will be more of the short and steep variety. The focus, would be more on faster pace, and just getting in rides on days where you normally would not.

Here's my plan for tonight:

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/After-work-21mi

Steep climbs are: Bunker Hill and Assencion Dr
Moderate climbs are: Alameda de las Pulgas, Trail to 280 bike crossing/ralston and various neighborhood hills.

Please anyone feel free to join.... the more lights the better ;)

I have done OLH at night. With this bad boy and some rear blinkies you're good to go:

http://estore.websitepros.com/stores/1939518/catalog/enduromontage032108A.jpg

whoa... Nice!

I got this sucker:
(Not as crazy but still pretty damn good!)

http://media.rei.com/media/m/1356840.jpg

Plus the ever-popular Superflash in the rear

I would but I have band practice tonight.

I like a nice nighttime ride but I'm in Boston.

whoa... Nice!

I got this sucker:
(Not as crazy but still pretty damn good!)

http://media.rei.com/media/m/1356840.jpg

Plus the ever-popular Superflash in the rear

I have the Dinotte - (140L I think?) Rear as well. Combined with the Enduro Maxx i get cars flashing their brights at me... tee hee.

I like a nice nighttime ride but I'm in Boston.

That would make a really long ride to the start ... :lol:

So no one this time around I guess?

I did a night ride tonight too, although that wasn't really my intent. I left in full daylight and thought, well, maybe it would be dusk when I got back so I put a rear blinky on my bike but didn't have a headlight. Oops. For a bout 3/4 of the ride, there was ample light, but toward the end, boy was it dark. Luckily at that point I was on a familiar route, mostly on side streets, so I could get home safely. I did an 18 mile ride going from my neighborhood to the Trinity Trail here in Fort Worth (a MUP along the Trinity River), getting off just north of Texas Christian University, climbing the steep hill on Rogers Rd. to get into the TCU area, then heading home.

Doohickie's night ride on 8Oct08 (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/My-night-ride-on-8Oct08)

Sorry. Storing up the glycogen for the Condor Classic this weekend. I did a ride yesterday...

Thanks anyways ;)

Sorry, I got in my climbs today ... Mora, then over to Mt. Eden and Pierce.

Not only do I not have lights, I don't think I could get to you in time.

Well, I am going to just do a very short ride tonight.

OK tomorrow for sure, doing the bikely route.

Hey, how about a halloween night ride ... it falls on a Friday! spooooky!!!!!!

Hey, how about a halloween night ride ... it falls on a Friday! spooooky!!!!!!

Cool idea!...I don't even have to wear a mask!

Where what time...Make it happen!

The night before the Napa Century I got to ride across town (2 miles, hehe) at 4:30 am to meet at the carpool to the ride. It was awesome! So peaceful, quiet, and serene.

One of the other guys did the same thing and we talked about hitting a night ride some time.

Maybe we should aim at a full moon and plan ahead...Canada would be good as would the whole loop.

Nite rides are fun stuff. Most of my rides in the winter are in the dark. Actually seems that the drivers are more courteous. Perhaps the bright light and flasing taillight get their attention. Too far for me to go, being as how I can ride for 2 hours and still be home early enough to see my wife for a bit. Have fun.

Newbie questions here:

1) Are you running the 200L model, or something more powerful?
2) Are you finding that sufficient light to run at night - how late are we talking here, pitch dark on Canada Rd?

Thanks for entertaining me. I thinking about pulling the trigger on the 200L model on account of the REI sale.

I'd really like to get my set-up in place so I can join you guys for a night-time ride. :)

I recently added one of these and it's freakin awsome! Cars don't even come near me :) I'm getting a red one for the the top of my helmet!

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/mvc-004s.jpg

The most I've done in the dark is 30 miles, but every Wednesday i work until Midnight then ride home. Mostly on MUPs. I've got nice bright light and really kinda like it.
I see skunks, owls, an occasional homeless person and last time raccoons!

I didn't like getting a flat in the middle of the night, but it's only happened once.

Enjoy that evening!

It was kind of late so I just did a quick 30 min ride.

8 miles but with nearly 1000 feet of climbing ;)

Avg Speed: 16 mph
Avg HR: 151

I forgot how much this hill sucks:
http://www-graphics.stanford.edu/~lucasp/grade/alameda.html

Here's the little bitty route:
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/short-hill-ride

The night ride was fun, the cars gave me plenty of room. I think the DiNotte is very effective.

I'll probably do it again tomorrow.

PS: I've done plenty of commuting and errand running at night/early morning... however those are mostly well lit major roadways.

My NiteRider MOAB will not charge. Has anyone else had problems with the Li-Ion battery for the MOAB? I think it might be completely discharged, but I didn't do anything out of the ordinary. When I charge it over night, no lights at all. When I feel the battery, to the touch, it is not warm. I think I'm screwed.

My NiteRider MOAB will not charge. Has anyone else had problems with the Li-Ion battery for the MOAB? I think it might be completely discharged, but I didn't do anything out of the ordinary. When I charge it over night, no lights at all. When I feel the battery, to the touch, it is not warm. I think I'm screwed.

That or the charger has gone bad. I remember hearing something about some aftermarket batteries that are supposed to be cheaper and better. Unfortunately I dont know where I saw that. Perhaps on the MTBR Nor Cal board. I have the Niterider Mi-Newt and it is an awesome light. More then bright enough, although Im thinking of adding another one since my son works in a bike shop.;)

Hey, how about a halloween night ride ... it falls on a Friday! spooooky!!!!!!

Happens to be Critical Mass on Halloween night. Imagine all the interesting costumes there.

My NiteRider MOAB will not charge. Has anyone else had problems with the Li-Ion battery for the MOAB? I think it might be completely discharged, but I didn't do anything out of the ordinary. When I charge it over night, no lights at all. When I feel the battery, to the touch, it is not warm. I think I'm screwed.

I think with Lithium ION batteries, you can't let them go complete dead. You may need a new battery.

I've been doing 9pm night rides with my MTB friend just around the hilly streets around San Bruno/Millbrae/Bay Trail. It is very serene at night and my Dinotte 200L on LOW is more than sufficient. The 140L in the rear is very nice too but SuperFlash is adequate.

As much as I like the Dinotte 200L, I like the fully self-contained aspect of the Exposure Lights. The convenience of AA rechargeable batteries is hard to let go of.

Here's my route for Friday:

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Neighborhood-Hills-14

apx 14 miles, over 1800 feet of climbing.

Includes:
Alameda warmup hill
Alameda steep hill -> http://www-graphics.stanford.edu/~lucasp/grade/alameda.html
Ralston
Bunker Hill -> http://graphics.stanford.edu/~lucasp/grade/bunkerhill.html
Ascension drive -> Beginning portion .4 miles @ avg of 13.5%

My NiteRider MOAB will not charge. Has anyone else had problems with the Li-Ion battery for the MOAB? I think it might be completely discharged, but I didn't do anything out of the ordinary. When I charge it over night, no lights at all. When I feel the battery, to the touch, it is not warm. I think I'm screwed.

I have one of the Niterider lights with Li-ion batteries, and it wouldn't charge. I called Niterider and they said they had a bad bunch of chargers out there - they replaced the entire thing (light, battery, charger) plus covered shipping costs. It was still under warranty, but they never asked for documentation. Give them a call - maybe that's your problem (and maybe they'll do the same for you).

JB

edit - the one thing they did confirm was that the serial number was part of the bad batch.

I think with Lithium ION batteries, you can't let them go complete dead. You may need a new battery.

Yeah, I think so too. I didn't actually let it go dead ... I think it did that on its own.

I went for an evening ride today...was very nice even though I was a little confused about where to go after Ascension.

Lots o' hills (and deer)...Alameda, Tartan Trail, Bunker Hill, Ascension
27 miles, 2700'

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Belmont-San-Mateo-hill-loop

Funny you rode right be our place!

We live on 24th Ave right near the shops on 25th Ave.

As far as after Ascension, this is my favorite way to do it:

- After Ascension and the curve around Los Altos Dr, take the left on Parrot instead of continuing straight to DeAnza.
- You'll up another short but steep-ish climb. Make a right onto to Clearview, on more short climb puts you on to W. Hillsdale.
- Immediately after the climb on Hillsdale, that comes after the Laurelwood Shopping center, make a left on 31st and veer left on to 28th. Shoot down the hill.
- Left on Hacienda
- Right on 25th, continue as planned. :)

Thanks Marco!

BTW that little stretch at the end of Glendora up to Hillsdale was a doozy.

I might try Woodridge Rd instead of Tartan Trail Rd next time....

I went for a night loop up San Bruno Mountain last night around 9pm. Coming down into Daly City, I slowed to stop for a Stop Sign. My buddy who was well behind (at least 15-20 seconds) me didn't see me stopped and nearly plowed right into me. I stomped on the pedals as soon as I saw him barreling down on me. He could have just swerved around me but instead lost control and went down. He bent his derailer hanger (hopefully not his derailer) and banged up his thumb. Poor guy... his wife told him to be careful too.
I had a SuperFlash AND a Dinotte 140L taillight going... how do you not notice your closing speed is too fast?

I like a nice nighttime ride but I'm in Boston.

Lots of nice riding outside the city. Even if you start in town. If you don't mind really crowded, the bike path around the Charles can be done as a 17 mile loop.

Lots of nice riding outside the city. Even if you start in town. If you don't mind really crowded, the bike path around the Charles can be done as a 17 mile loop.

Hi, yes I've done this with my folding bike. A little flat for my tastes, but still nice. :)

It made it difficult to meet up with Marco for his San Mateo nighttime ride though. ;)

Hi, yes I've done this with my folding bike. A little flat for my tastes, but still nice. :)

It made it difficult to meet up with Marco for his San Mateo nighttime ride though. ;)

You can't ride 3,000 mph? :D

You can't ride 3,000 mph? :D

no...guess I haven't been training hard enough! :p

no...guess I haven't been training hard enough! :p

:roflmao2:

I went for a night loop up San Bruno Mountain last night around 9pm. Coming down into Daly City, I slowed to stop for a Stop Sign. My buddy who was well behind (at least 15-20 seconds) me didn't see me stopped and nearly plowed right into me. I stomped on the pedals as soon as I saw him barreling down on me. He could have just swerved around me but instead lost control and went down. He bent his derailer hanger (hopefully not his derailer) and banged up his thumb. Poor guy... his wife told him to be careful too.
I had a SuperFlash AND a Dinotte 140L taillight going... how do you not notice your closing speed is too fast?

OMG, he _broke_ his thumb! I feel bad.

After a couple errands this afternoon, I tried out Woodridge and Southdown in Hillsborough.
They made Ascension Dr. afterward feel easy. :eek:

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/San-Mateo-hilly-route-2


OMG, he _broke_ his thumb! I feel bad.

Ouch, poor guy! :(

I went for a night loop up San Bruno Mountain last night around 9pm. Coming down into Daly City, I slowed to stop for a Stop Sign. My buddy who was well behind (at least 15-20 seconds) me didn't see me stopped and nearly plowed right into me. I stomped on the pedals as soon as I saw him barreling down on me. He could have just swerved around me but instead lost control and went down. He bent his derailer hanger (hopefully not his derailer) and banged up his thumb. Poor guy... his wife told him to be careful too.
I had a SuperFlash AND a Dinotte 140L taillight going... how do you not notice your closing speed is too fast?

I always thought brake lights for bikes would be a good idea. This (http://www.amazon.com/Nashbar-Tail-Brake-Light/dp/B0012Q7P18/ref=pd_sbs_sg_4) looks like it'd do the trick although it doesn't look very bright.

I always thought brake lights for bikes would be a good idea. This (http://www.amazon.com/Nashbar-Tail-Brake-Light/dp/B0012Q7P18/ref=pd_sbs_sg_4) looks like it'd do the trick although it doesn't look very bright.

Interesting doohickey. I wonder if it could be rigged up to work with disc brakes and SuperFlash or the Dinotte 140L?

Heading out to do the San Bruno mountain loop at 9ish.

Heading out to do the San Bruno mountain loop at 9ish.

Just came back from a SF night ride at the PoloFields with Pizza Man and Constant Rider Hope we get more in this winter. BTW the moon was awesome, now I know why all the crazy people in my buildings were howling this weekend. I spent the whole day on the phone dealing with nutcases, like me!...We have to do some group rides at night.

Henry I might meet up with you one of these nights... maybe next week?
PEte

Just came back from a SF night ride at the PoloFields with Pizza Man and Constant Rider Hope we get more in this winter. BTW the moon was awesome, now I know why all the crazy people in my buildings were howling this weekend. I spent the whole day on the phone dealing with nutcases, like me!...We have to do some group rides at night.

Henry I might meet up with you one of these nights... maybe next week?
PEte

Cool. I'll try to post sooner when I think I'll get a chance to head out. Usually Tues and Thu I have to to go late because Trudy has her class in the evening.

Ramon came over and we did a San Mateo night ride.

The DiNotte kicked ass.

30 miles, 2 hours, 3150 ft climbing

Paula, those 2 hills, Woodridge and Southdown were pretty good. Good find!

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/San-Mateo-Night-Ride-30-miles