gear

Standing water (like what runs along the edge of the road when it rains), in the dark there is no way to tell the difference between 1/2 inch of water and a 3 foot deep pot hole filled with water. You can't see depth at all just surface.

roashru

riding in the moonlight with just the rear light and the road debris changed.
.

bluefoxicy

I live in some gang-ridden city so all I gotta worry about is teenagers that think they're malendrine.

1242Vintage

Most of my commute is on a MUP. A few runners and walkers out there, but nearly all have lights or reflective gear and not a hazard.

Wildlife in the pre-dawn hours is the biggest concern. On Tuesday morning came around a curve and saw a big fat raccoon on the side of the path. Thought it would retreat into the bushes when I got closer. I was wrong!!! Raccoon charged right at me and went under my rear wheel. I stayed upright as I rolled over him and raccoon survived the impact and ran off.

MattFoley

Jaywalking peds that stand in the middle of the bike lanes downtown, particularly on Pennsylvania Ave, which is wide and not well lit....almost impossible to see until it's too late. Usually hope to catch their silhouette if there's a car coming from the other direction.

cyclokitty 

Large piles of leaves on the side of the road that take up most of the lane. Then in a few days they will become smaller but very slippery piles of leaves hiding potholes and sewer gratings. Yikes.

I laughed when I read "iPod zombies"!

But lately on the MUP running thru the local park, my bigger worry (besides the unleashed dogs) are the slowly growing number of dog people who don't like cyclists riding past their doggies. Thing is (and they don't want to recognize it) the park requires dogs to stay leashed and the MUP thru the park has a sign describing it as part of the city's bike routes. I avoid hitting doggies like the doggies belong to me but the owners stand around and watch their unleashed pets run across the MUP and into harm's way. I hit one unlucky dog already when he bolted right in front me. He's fine but I was upset with the owner because he then immediately jumped in front of my bike again after the first run down.

threemonkeys

I finished up a ride the other day in the dark (my first time). I love love love it. I didn't notice any real danger/safety issues. Although some of this is due to the fact that I have to go slow as I don't have a strong light.

But I'm lit up like a Christmas tree with reflectors, blinking lights, reflective vest.

Digital_Cowboy

I'd like to know that as well.

nashcommguy

+1 I've been told my rig looks like a low-level UFO. During the holidays I string 2 strands of blinking multi-colored lights around my frame. Have had some cagers give me a thumbs-up. One guy rolled down his window at a traffic light and told me I'd made his day.

Have been riding in the dark for years as a full-time cycle-commuter. In living rural and near the Natchez Trace Parkway in Mid-TN I frequently take night rides of 25-50 miles. Sometimes, the moon is so bright one doesn't need lighting other than the rear blinkies. Don't like to ride at night while touring, though. Too many variables.

Ira B

Stupid deer wandering into the road on the faster down hills.
It would really suck to hit one of those.

david58

But what I have confirmed is that next year I hunt using a mountain bike - the deer will just stand and look at you, trying to figure out what you are, or better yet ignore you. The downside is that I think I might get further into the woods than I would prefer to pack a critter back out...

Of course, since I usually hunt with a 54" long muzzleloader, I might have issues toting the gun. Might have to make some other firearm choice on that count.

nashcommguy

You may want to mount this on your commuter. Wouldn't even have to load it. You'd experience zero road rage, I'll bet.

Ira B

I just have to open the front door.
This guy was standing in the front yard along with 2 spikes and 4 does a few days ago.
All I really need to hunt them is an apple and a baseball bat.

John_1961

I would have to say all of the above nothing I hate more than a another cyclist who dosen't know how to ride a bike.

david58

In the woods, I'll do with one shot. But on the road, I'd want at least a 30-round magazine......

Santaria

Because, unfortunately, we as a community forget that there are people out there that don't know riding safety rules, the laws associated with riding or what will or will not work through trial and error. Combine that with the fact that they think that because they are on a bike - they've already done the hard part. In some cases, they're already set in a pattern of "I've done it without issue before, so why would it be a problem now."

david58

I for one have trouble knowing if I should say anything or not. Or what to say.

10 Wheels

Most of then are going to or returning from a job...

buzzman

Road debris. Potholes. Distracted Drivers. Drunk Drivers.

Northwestrider

Night riding is for my location, not much of a problem. When it's foggy, I slow down. if it's icy I don't ride. I'm fairly well lite up, so, so far I have been lucky I guess.

Digital_Cowboy

What I do, is if I can catch up with them without actually chasing them. Is to pull up alongside of them and say:

"Just a little friendly advice" or "Do you mind a little friendly advice?" And then tell them how they need to have lights on their bike, and that the LEOs can ticket them for not having lights on their bikes.

I find that that tends to work the best. As it hopefully comes off as not being confrontational. Or at the very least hopefully not too confrontational.

sudo bike

Kind of off-subject, I apologize, but does anyone else ride slower at night? I'm not a speed demon to begin with, but I noticed I always go slower, with no intention to. Even if a willfully speed up, when my legs' auto-pilot takes over again, I slow back down. Kind of funny. I always wondered if it was subconcious reaction to riding in the dark, or because when I'm riding TO work I'm still waking up (night shift worker), and it just so happens to be dark.

On-subject, turning vehicles (especially a left hook or people turning from a side street to the street I am on) seem to be more likely to cause problems at night. I have a super bright headlight and tail light, but there always seems to still be visibility issues, probably due to the sheer lack of mass to be visible. Passing traffic seems to be about the same, night or day, just turning seems worse.

Oldsport

Yes, I do. I don't intend to ride slower, but I know my trips take longer this time of year.

david58

On my way to work, I don't have time to turn around and catch someone who is riding the opposite direction.

Myosmith

Not even in the dark, but yesterday I just about took out a Twitter Twit who walked off the curb head-down texting. He never even looked up from his phone as I literally missed him by inches. OMG another dumb@$$ with a smartphone.