Road Cycling - Finding Night cyclists

I am unhappy this week for it begins my first week off of my 'Fireman-like schedule." This allows me to get in my hard mileage in throughout the week and when my weekend off comes around I have time for my wife.
I am 'in training" for my fall Nevada tour. Trying to do lots of hills and at least 150 miles a week. My fall tour will be hard and I will be disgusted with myself if I am not ready. With this new schedule my mileage will probably be less than half what it was.
I bought an expensive digital lighting system. I am determined to ride once a week at night. Well, none of my co-riders will ride with me at night. They think it unsafe.! Encouraging. I have a second lighting system one could share. It is pretty good. Lead acid battery however. Still the one said will not go out with less than 3 riders.
Where do you night riders that like night riding think I could connect with other night riders. Can find no local bike chat line. Guess, will be out there alone.

Glad I bought my trainer, in case it ever snows here in So. Calif; will have it if needed. But guess, I favor being out in the fresh night air over an hour on the trainer, If I can help it.

Do you belong to any cycling clubs or organizations? Also check with LBS, REI, etc.

I belong to 2 bike organizations here in Atlanta. They have night rides one or two nights a week.

If you weren't so far away, I could ride with you. ;)

Ron. This town is sort of out in the country. We barely support our bike shop as is. Closest bike club is in San Marcos about 20 miles away. Interesting to know if they ride at night.?
Just hope I might see some riders about at night and connect with them. Groups of riders makes the event safer, I think.
One thing going for me, daylight savings time returns in March and that will cause the bulk of my ride to be before twilight. I leave for work at 5:15 am and get home at 5:00 pm so work is like dawn to dusk. 10 hour shifts. Wish you did live closer, the riding is great about these parts.

This shift is awful. I am like going nuts. This day shift stuff. Get home at almost 5:30 due to traffic and leave before the sun comes us. Mileage this week is zero. Weekend warriors is not enough.
The moon is almost full and night sky clear. Think only way to find night cyclists is to get out there with them. Think group night riding might be safer. Don't care if there are werewoves out there- gotta get out, soon . Get home at dinner time, find I have commands upon me and weekend same.
Some riders I go with say just quit your job and do a world tour. Don't need money just a water purifier and your home on your back rack. Can live on whatever you see crawling about.

Tonight I tried to make up my lost mileage by getting out tonight. Saw no other cyclists about. The moon was full and cycling down an overlook of our town with the moon full was great.
Sure do get to resent those noisy smelly vehicles spoiling the moment. The crickets and coyotes could be heard everywhere and the moon light lite the way up Schearer's grade.
If only I were good at it, it was like a poetic moment.

can you bike to work? or drive your car half way and bike the rest?..


K

Ahuman. Wish I could. Have to wait until May when I get back on shift. Leave for work at 5 am and get home at 5 pm. Not much day left. Spoiled from my fireman shifts.
Getting used to not meeting up with my bike group on Tuesday or Thursday.s.
Night ride was sorta fun. Got in 22 miles tonight.

Cyclezealot, these posts are great. I wish I knew the solution to your night-riding-solitude woes, but at least you're enjoying the crickets and coyotes and the light of the moon! :)

I disagree with your friends that night-riding is (as they seem to feel) inherently dangerous. Unless you're in a terrifically high-crime area, or one with an unusually high score of drunken driving, I don't see that it's MUCH more hazardous than cycling in daylight, as long as you have lights front and rear.

Maybe if you eventually find just one person to go along with you, that will serve to spark a trend. I hope so.