Mr. Beanz

I rode up GMR lastnight, about 6 miles up. Geeze it was DARK and almost too quiet. I could hear every little movement from the mountain side banks. Maybe just a lizard but I get that eerie feeling of getting jumped from above by a lion. If I kept my eyes straight ahead, it wasn't as bad but looking up to the side tyring to see something made it spooky. After 3 miles it got much better. Not sure if I relaxed but the noises seemed to fade. I only saw 2 cars and when you're up in the dark alone, it's actually nice to see them. Then I wonder if they might be dumping dead bodies haha. My imagination runs wild in the dark.

Recorded some video but eventhough I could see with my lights, the vid is pitch black. Took a few pics but event the camera doesn't pick up much. The view of city lights is much nicer in person. I don't have fancy lights but the two that I used up front were enough to get me down the mountain with a 31.8 max speed. Didn't worry me much at all holding a pretty good pace on the descent. Maybe because I know the road well. Overall, pretty refreshing ride!



IMG_4407 by gulpxtreme, on Flickr



IMG_4399 by gulpxtreme, on Flickr


IMG_4390 by gulpxtreme, on Flickr

thestoutdog

Looks like fun Beanz, I love riding at night. You're right about the spooky factor. I once had a fox jump out in front of me scared the poop out of me.

Mr. Beanz

Scary. At one point, it looked as if an animal had lunged from the brush towards my leg.. It was the reflection from one of my lights on a rising paved shouder. Gave the illusion of something heading towards me. I almost jumped out of my chamois!

canopus 

For me its loose dogs. The sneaky ones come out at night and don't bark..... Those are the ones that scare me because there is nothing and then bam, they're right beside you.

MrClyde

I've never done a road mountain ride at night. Done some night MTB riding, very cool views like you said, since most of my MTB rides are in the hills above town.

gunner65

I ride at night but I am not scared cause I am way to fast for a lion to catch.

Mr. Beanz

This is the road I was climbing so my usual 8 was about 10 but still not fast enough to outrun a lion.

socalrider

You never really have to worry about outrunning a Mountain Lion because you will never hear it coming.. Rider met that fate a few years back, his friend said they never heard it coming, just leapt off an embankment and took the rider down by the neck..

funrover 

Night riding is a blast, I love it!

rjc100

My road bike group switches to Mtn Bike on dirt road rides mis Oct. Most to all the Wed night rides are in the dark. The back country roads and abour 8 to 10 bikes all decked out in lights really is a lot of fun.
Darkness does not have to stop al our fun.

Daspydyr 

I fear the bunny rabbits that come out at night and feed on the grass growing beside the MUPs that are so nice at night. One of these days I hope to jump a coyote feeding on the bunnies feeding on the grass. I just know that one of these days a bunny is gonna end up in the spokes.

Peter_C

Here's a pleasant thought for you. While the lights you were using combined with your knowledge of the road made you comfortable at a higher speed going down, if a coyote (or some other smaller animal) ran across your path, you'd be toast.

Same for something unplanned on the road in front of you (rock, road-meat, etc) - by the time your lights let you see and recognize a non-reflective problem, it would be too late...

Just something to think about

Mr. Beanz

You have alot to learn about riding.

Homeyba

You know beanz, it's even more pleasant to ride at night if you turn your lights off. That works best of course, during a full moon and in a neighborhood with no cars like mine! It's amazing how well you eyes become adjusted to the dark when there isn't a bunch of bright white lights all over the place. If you pay attention you'll see tons of wild life!

Mr. Beanz

It was cool. I did turn of the lights a few points along the road. Mostly when I was posing for video and pics. It amazing how well the eyes adjust and what you can see in your surroundings. Pretty cool!

vXhanz

When I was younger my brother and I would ride our bikes at night and it would really freak us out, but you adjust to it after a time like you said. Time seemed to drain away pretty fast at night too since distance was a lot harder to judge, and when we returned home and walked through the door it seemed like home was that much more inviting. Good times. Thanks for reminding me of this, brought back good memories

V

socalrider

I much prefer treating the road to my retinal burning lights.. I use to ride up in the trails at night, but had a few too many encounters with creatures in the wild trolling for there next meal..

The good thing about the wild animals is they see the lights and tend to run the other way..

Mr. Beanz

I've also read that animals attack as they mistake humans for other animals. So I talk the entire time in a loud authorative voice hoping I don't end up a meal.