The local MUPs close at sunset (or so the sign says). But there's no gate or anything. Sunset is now coming way early. At 6:30pm I wanna ride but it's already dark so the MUP is officially closed. I got lights and all and I'm ready for night riding but... will I get busted/arrested/ticketed or something for riding the MUP @ nite? Anybody else in here rides the MUP @ nite? Any problems?

Of course it depends on your local laws and the authorities who enforce them.

Around here no one has ever questioned us about riding in the parks and MUP's at night. One the other hand I've gotten a citation for riding in a park after dark in Northern VA.

Just roll it man. The first time, you will get ran off. If you ride to the trail head, the chances are slim that anyone will ever see you. If you park and unload, be careful.

If it happened here, we would get a "yall aint spose to be ridin after dark" then we be like "alright, we didnt know"

then, "just dont do it again"

Um, "ok"

lol

"I didn't see any sign. It's dark out."

Tell em you were lost and are making your way back out. The only way to get busted is if you are unloading when they roll up.

I do it all the time...

I ride in a big loop and end on the MUT waaaaay after dark...never been so much as looked at.
What are they gonna chase you with, a golf cart?
If you get stopped, plead ignorance.

If this trail is a useful transportation route (e.g., for commuting to and from work), I would contact the city transportation department and ask that it remain open at least through normal commuting hours (until 8 or 9pm).

You're gonna have to be extra careful to watch for joggers and walkers with no lights or reflective gear.

is this trail in a park?

are there guards?

personally i hate MUPs, and especially MUPs at night. but i'm surprised yours close - ours don't that i know of.

There's a MUP or two around here that I wouldn't want to ride after dark because of the chances of an encounter with some of the more unsavory local denizens.

Done!

I did a 16 miles ride (15 on the trail) and it was a blast! Deep inside the trail with all the tree coverage it gets kinda scary. This is not a bad area, I don't feel afraid of being assaulted. But the freaking animals... seems I wake them up with my lights and they start moving fast through the grass @ the trail sides, making weird noises. Scary... specially if you just watched Predator (the first one), where the alien comes out of the woods and kill people.

At one intersection there was a police patrol. I stopped (there's a stop sign), gave it a second and continued. The police didn't say a thing. Seems the rule is not being enforced or they were busy eating donuts.

We did a weekly night atb ride at our local park and it still goes on.
The park was closed and we parked outside the entrance.
No one ever bothered us and we had the entire park to ourselves...frikkin awesome.
I miss Wompatuck State Park very much.
Different areas have different rules. Call and ask then do as you will.

You might not get ticketed, but there's a good chance someone will jump you. Happened to my Dad once.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
That's why I carry a collapsible police asp (baton)...

I do it all the time after putting my girls to sleep. I have to make sure I wear something visible and reflective. The Nite Rider Minewt USB was also one of the best investments for night riding as well as the Blackburn Mars rear blinker. The trails in Irvine lack descent lighting hence these are essentials. Never had an issue with law enforcement yet (knock on wood).

Just make sure not to run out of battery charge while in the woods. It is not fun.
Don't ride alone at night.

nothing wrong with riding alone at night...just don't ride on a MUP ride on a street....

I meant on trails in a closed state park. If anything goes awry you are fubar'd.

this is true...hard to tell since you can technically have MUPs in a forested area as well.

Make sure you have a "legend" ready to provide the security folks why you're out and about at unsocial hours. Have pre-determined escape routes established prior to setting out. Stay to places that afford low risk to businesses or offer theives low opportunitry for gain. Both are pretty much off the radar screen of security staff. . .especially the first. In the end and as in "life", you're on your own so look to your own security.