Road Cycling - Time to Ride

I have changed my work schedual so now I work from 8am to 4:30pm, I get home around 5-5:15pm and traffic is pretty bad at that time. I was thinking about riding at 8 or 9pm and ride for about an hour. I have never ridden when its dark so I went out and got some lights. Is there any thing I should do different (not wear my sunglasses :-** or should I brave the concrete at 4-5am :)

Clocks are moving forward this weekend - how about from 7-8 pm? Still daylight, less traffic, etc...

55/Rad

...or should I brave the concrete at 4-5am :)
That's what I do. I leave the house around 4:30/4:45 and ride till dark; about 7pm. DST starts Sunday so I'll have an extra hour to ride on the days I get home a little late or just feel like a longer ride. :beer:

Make sure your health insurance is payed and your will is up to date. :eek:

It just scares me to think of road riding at night. Then again, I am in Los Angeles. ;)

Plenty of people ride at night. I do it sometimes.

Make sure you know how long the light will last so you don't get trapped in the dark. I like a light on the handlebars and one on my helmet.

Have a taillight that is bright and visible. Run it blinking.

Carry a cell phone in case you have a flat. Call for a ride home. It won't be fun changing a tire in the dark.

Make sure someone knows your route and when you should be home.

Wear bright clothes, preferably with some reflective taping. Performance sells reflective clothing.

Be careful, don't go too fast, and enjoy!

I'll head out at 5:30pm. By 6 it seems most everyone is at home and preparing for supper.

Really depends on whether you are a morning person or not. I am NOT a morning person in the least. Fall, winter & spring, I only get to ride at night or at weekend. I have to say (and others experience may vary) that I get much more respect from cars at night than even during the daylight. I ride 2 blinkies on the back, and one VERY bright light on the front, I am curious as to why I get such a wide berth and wonder if the blinkies disorient people in addition to getting their attention. People slow down and wait to pass until it's clear. I like to take the roads to a trail near me, ride the trail out and the road back or visa versa. Takes some getting used to, depth perception can be a little twisted under artificial light. I don't usually wait until as late as 8 though and can safely head out anytime really after 6:30. Typically in the summer and fall I bump into at least 1-2 like minded night riders, but didn't see any crazy enough in the winter, or cold spring nights so far.

To me the advantages include the fact that I can tell if a car is coming up from behind well before they get there since I can see the light from their cars reflecting off trees, signs, and mailboxes. I don't have to rush home and shower before work, and if I'm having a good ride, can prolong it further without worrying about being late for work. The trails I ride are all nicely paved, and conveniently deserted by kids, pedestrians and those people with the dogs on the 20 foot leeds!!!

LR's suggestion about run time for your light is excellent, and I always carry a Cateye EL 300 in case my main goes out, his suggestion for two lights, one on the bars and one on the helmet also makes a big difference in the depth perception problem I experience only using one light. I also carry a couple of spare blinkies unless I'm riding with the kids who also have blinkies. As for riding too fast, with my HID I can't over ride it, but with the EL 300, I would have to slow WAY DOWN!

Ride route that you know well during the day. There may be times you need to ride them by memory. Carry a spare light source, be it a small flashlight or a less powerful headlight or even spare batteries and bulb.

I have changed my work schedual so now I work from 8am to 4:30pm, I get home around 5-5:15pm and traffic is pretty bad at that time. I was thinking about riding at 8 or 9pm and ride for about an hour. I have never ridden when its dark so I went out and got some lights. Is there any thing I should do different (not wear my sunglasses :-** or should I brave the concrete at 4-5am :)

I get off of work at 4:00 and drive to the nearest trailhead (2 miles away) and ride BEFORE I go home (my commute is 35 miles/36 minutes). I keep a bike I bought just for this purpose in my hatch back, and can ride for 1.5 to 2 hours each day. Get home about 6:15-6:30.

Traffic is better here at 6:00 than earlier in the afternoon, also. Yes, Denver is an EARLY city, compared to the east coast.

I love riding around cities after midnight and before the sun comes up. It's so nice and quiet.