gcasillo

Went out for a 20 mile ride late night tonight. Pushed myself a little harder and had a great ride, but I had an extremely scary moment just before reaching home.

I was freewheeling down the last hill at a pretty good clip, 35-40mph, when all of the sudden I saw a car without its lights on going the other way. It was on its side of the road, but I didn't spot it until it was maybe 50m away. I'm usually a very alert rider, especially since I often ride at night, but I just didn't spot this car at all until the very last moment. It came out of a shadow cast from a street light behind a tree.

Very disconcerting moment. Had that bastard been drunk or otherwise not paying attention and crossed over the center line, I would have been roadkill. Almost within shouting distance of my apartment. Very scary.

cyclezealot

Do most of us slow down during night riding...Something about not over riding our light? I am only an ocassional nite rider..When I did, I did really slow down... Would that not have helped...A car w/o lights...Guess not.

badsac

Nah, 50 meters is plenty even at that speed. You saw him with plenty of time and could hvae gotten out of there easy if he was coming for you. It's good to be cautious and letting it be a good reminder to keep concentrating and scanning for all your worth, but don't let it freak you out.

cyclezealot

40 mph sounds like it might be over riding your light? Heck, 40 mph on a descent in the daylight you can overlook obstacles.
Once you fall and have an injury you are never the same.
But then I am not that expereinced a night rider. Most of my night riding is in pretty tame areas.