LordOpie

Just got back from my third night ride. First was a week ago with a cheap light (per Maj.Tom's suggestion) that I had lying around... not good enough. I bought a 10w helmet lamp and wow, the world's a different place at night.

The animals come out in droves. I was passing a deer and looking at it when I snapped back forward to see three of 'em in the road and nearly hit one of 'em. Bet she would've messed me up good. Then I slowly passed a guy who looked like he was fixing his bike, so I asked if he needed anything. He replied, "Thanks! No, just picking mushrooms." Interesting character.

Good times, good times.

twahl

Yep! I love riding at night, in town and out.

55/Rad

LO - I'm looking for a good helmet light myself - what are you using? Price?

Check your PM.

55/Rad

glomarduck

Word

LordOpie

I like buying from Performance cuz they never give me a hard time about returning stuff, so I got this headlight. It works pretty well and with 20% code, it's really reasonable. I'm comfortable up to 25mph on the trail that I ride regularly. I hardly notice the battery in my jersey pocket.

LittleGinseng 

Riding at night rocks! Glad to see someone else digs it too.

Here in Florida I have yet to see a deer, but I'm constantly dodging possums and raccoons, especially on trash night! Even get the occasional BUZZ from bats feeding on the wing. Yeah, night riding rocks.

gcasillo

Yeah! Night riding does rock! So does riding at night in the rain! In a rainy fog! In a rainy fog with win...

NO CARRIER

Steelrider

Never really attempted to ride at night much, but thought about it and no real reason not to...gonna give it a try!

Methos

Except for the fact that work has me here for 12+ hours lately and I just bought a new light and haven't had the chance to use it much, I love riding at night. Very peaceful. I too saw some deer, skunks, coons and opossums. I almost drilled the deer, they didn't know what to make of this silent light .

rule

I've been night riding since I was about eleven. The roads and trails are mostly empty and it is like a different world in terms of the stuff that you see and experience after dark.

Corsaire

It's really like riding on a total different dimension. I haven't used it much either but look forward to the daylight saving time at the end of October to start using it riding back home from work.
Corsaire

kaisersling

Riding at night in Jersey is frightening (and no I am not a wimp) As the sun begins to set in NJ you just begin to feel this impending sense of doom, as SUVs (with small drivers) and slammed Hondas(driven by the same type that used to drive Camaros) gravitate toward you. It feels like you are actually in Frogger.

Corsaire

That's why you need to dress and equipped yourself "TO BE SEEN...and LOUDLY", if you catch my drift.

Corsaire

kaisersling

I could put neon signs on my back and have a glow in the dark frame and christmas lights on my wheels and it would still be harrowing....of course where I live is still a bit rural and there are not a lot of street light, just a lot of winding and narrow roads. Generally, if riding at night I go out by all the farms where few cars are and just dodge huge bugs then

ruirui

opie.. that's headlamp is huge.. but i'd bet it's hella BRIGHT!

right now i'm only running two of these lights on my handle bars. they work pretty well for me.

Dahon.Steve

I'm from Jersey and I know exactly what you mean. That's why I use two or more red blinkies and one gets put on the back of my head. I don't consider riding the city too much safer but the burbs would be a different story because the cars go so much faster.

LordOpie

yeah. I'm not aware of any smaller ones tho. If ya know of one, post up.

kaisersling

I have found a few place near Allentown NJ that I would not be too afraid to ride at night..

Kid-Cycle

I use a Nite Rider 15w halogen light with NiCad water bottle battery. It works great and I use it to ride on a multipurpose trail and on a seldom used country road. I scared up a bunch of deer the other night that were bedding down within a group of trees... they ran along side me for a short while.

One thing I notice while night riding is when I approach turns my handle bar mounted light shines straight and I can't see around corner (kind of scary when traveling at speed). I have been thinking about acquiring a helmet light to go with my handle bar light for this reason but I have not wanted to spring for the $$$.

It's good to hear other people enjoy riding at night.

What do you guys use for eye protection at night? I am using clear lense safety goggles from Home Depot but they tend to fog up when I start sweating.

twahl

I have a set of glasses with interchangable lenses, and use the clear ones.

AjAx

My friends and I formed a 'Night Riders' group over the summer. It was mainly just a bunch of us goind on insanely fast 5 miles rides on the main streets of the town. A warning though: make sure you have at least a red tail light (in most states) because the police like to be able to see you when they are driving around with their lights off.

Buzzi

This is what I use for eye protection.

https://www.performancebike.com/shop/....cfm?SKU=18221

The frame is kinda cheap, but it comes with 3 set of Rudy Project lenses, including a set of clear lenses and a carrying case.

I had a bug landed in one of my eye, after my ride, I had to pick the the bug out (whole) from my eye. Ever since, I have never riden without my glasses.

Buzzi

LordOpie

is that how you got your nickname?

Buzzi

Good one, LordOpie... hehe... Buzzi actually came from Buzzihornet, a word used by Team Jordan (F1 Racing)

Buzzi

vtjim

Night riding is like night diving (scuba.) Everyone is nervous until they do it. Then they love it.