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sampras38
Joined: 05 Feb 2009
Posts: 559
Location: West London
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 Posted Tue Nov 3, 2009 11:05 am |
In the week I tend to flit between turbo work with various training DVD's and the odd blast around the streets at night for an hour or hour and a half. I tend to avoid country roads at night though as they are not lit well enough.
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doyler78
Joined: 29 May 2004
Posts: 1039
Location: Co Down, Ireland
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Posted Tue Nov 3, 2009 5:05 pm |
| sampras38 wrote: | | In the week I tend to flit between turbo work with various training DVD's and the odd blast around the streets at night for an hour or hour and a half. I tend to avoid country roads at night though as they are not lit well enough. |
Was worried about narrow country roads myself for the same reason however went out last Wednesday. Started off on well lit roads in rush hour traffic and ended up on unlit country lanes. 3 hours of those in the pitch black.
Loved every minute of it and would not be at all worried about doing it again. I even took a few detours along the way on to roads I had never ridden before (day or night) and didn't feel at all worried about the road I was riding. I wasn't putting in a hard ride so my speed wasn't great. Only 15mph average (on that route I would only average around 16.8mph to 17.3mph) and a top speed of 34mph but that was through choice. I could certainly have upped the pace, as I did on several stretches just to do something different and they felt perfectly safe.
1 set of 2 year old ayups (so not as good as their current model) and 1 set of LUU's on a 2 cell li-ion battery which I ran on the middle setting. Never felt the need for the high beam which was good as the battery simply wouldn't have lasted the course.
All in all I'm glad that I did it (have the 100k century challenge on the sportive forum to thank for getting me to do it) as now I have no worries about doing such a ride again.
Oh yeah and as regards cars, etc. Came across very few however I have to say it was a pleasure to ride as cars waited patiently behind me until it was safe to pass (well some hung rather too long which did occasionally make me a bit nervous - no pleasing some people  ). I never felt any aggression that I normally feel on my commute. I was definitely more visible to them and they definitely pass me much more widely. I've always felt I was given more room at night however on narrow country roads where you notice these things much more reinforced that point for me.
The bit I find the worst time to cycle in the twilight bits around sunrise/sunset. I seem to get much more risky overtaking at these times.
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jthef
Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Posts: 43
Location: Lancashire
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Posted Tue Nov 3, 2009 5:34 pm |
Love riding at night but you need good lights ( I need an upgrade really).
Biggest danger is rabbits/birds for me at night jumping out or running just in front of you. You don't know what they are going to do.
Looking forward to the commute home at 2am tonight if it would only stop raining.
It is a lot harder seeing at night when the ground is wet as the road seams to soak up all the light making it very hard to see 
But I prefer it to cycling though towns at chucking out time or smelling all the takeaways making me feel more hungry.
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doyler78
Joined: 29 May 2004
Posts: 1039
Location: Co Down, Ireland
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Posted Tue Nov 3, 2009 5:47 pm |
| jthef wrote: | Love riding at night but you need good lights ( I need an upgrade really).
Biggest danger is rabbits/birds for me at night jumping out or running just in front of you. You don't know what they are going to do.
Looking forward to the commute home at 2am tonight if it would only stop raining.
It is a lot harder seeing at night when the ground is wet as the road seams to soak up all the light making it very hard to see But I prefer it to cycling though towns at chucking out time or smelling all the takeaways making me feel more hungry. |
And makes spotting potholes much more difficult. Is it just a shallow puddle or a massive great crater ready to pop a spoke or two 
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maander
Joined: 27 May 2007
Posts: 241
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Posted Tue Nov 3, 2009 7:45 pm |
| jthef wrote: | Love riding at night but you need good lights ( I need an upgrade really).
Biggest danger is rabbits/birds for me at night jumping out or running just in front of you. You don't know what they are going to do.
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Rabbits? Wait until you encounter a badger. I was almost taken out by one last year, and
I have seen a friend come off second best to one too.
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NWLondoner
Joined: 11 Aug 2007
Posts: 1183
Location: Colindale, NW London
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Slimbods
Joined: 27 Jul 2008
Posts: 46
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Posted Wed Nov 4, 2009 9:56 am |
For me it's sheep. My heart stops the moment they spot you and pause, and you wait to see if they're going to run into your path or off the road.
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singlespeedexplosif
Joined: 20 Feb 2007
Posts: 1082
Location: Lancashire
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Posted Wed Nov 4, 2009 10:57 am |
oh aye, that's a bad one. 80-90kph down the A62...glowing eyes materialise out of the darkness in the middle of the road. Which way are they going to dash...? It's known as 'Marsden Roulette'
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The Running Man
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Posts: 131
Location: Calne : Wiltshire
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Posted Wed Nov 4, 2009 3:42 pm |
My commute at this time of year is always in the dark and I agree with everyone else - make sure you're lit up like a pinball machine.
Some good front lights are a must. There are lights you can get that will get you seen but you want a set you can see with so expect to spend a bit more.
2 rears are essential : 1 flashing 1 steady :
I always carry a tube, levers, mini pump, allen key set, gels, drink, and spare batteries for my front lights as well as a mobile and a £10 note for emergencies.
Once you've got that lot get on with it. It's cracking fun and really sharpens your senses.
Litespeed Titanium Siena : Specialized Allez
Specialized Tri Cross : Specialized Rockhopper |
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LangerDan
Joined: 24 Jun 2005
Posts: 3754
Location: Ar Mhuin na Muice
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Posted Wed Nov 4, 2009 4:40 pm |
As I headed out the door for my spin last night, I passed my wife and son who looked at me in amusement. Mini-me just keeled over laughing. My wife took a look at my white rain jacket, bright yellow gillet, reflective bib-tights, helmet light and led armbands. "Oi, Buzz Lightyear, what time will you be home?"
Some people have no respect.........
"Those are my principles. If you don't like them....well, I have others" |
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NWLondoner
Joined: 11 Aug 2007
Posts: 1183
Location: Colindale, NW London
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soveda
Joined: 18 Jun 2009
Posts: 157
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Posted Thu Nov 5, 2009 12:01 pm |
| NWLondoner wrote: | The idea of riding unlit country roads sounds ace  Until you get that inevitable damn puncture that is  |
Just gets you good at fixing punctures by braille...
Edited for quote messup and spooling
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keef66
Joined: 29 Apr 2008
Posts: 1043
Location: Noomarket, deepest Suffolk
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Posted Thu Nov 5, 2009 12:54 pm |
| maander wrote: | | jthef wrote: | Love riding at night but you need good lights ( I need an upgrade really).
Biggest danger is rabbits/birds for me at night jumping out or running just in front of you. You don't know what they are going to do.
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Rabbits? Wait until you encounter a badger. I was almost taken out by one last year, and
I have seen a friend come off second best to one too. |
Pah! Tiny mammals. Last week I passed three fallow deer hinds which shot in various directions, then in the ditch to my left I met a stag complete with a magnificent set of antlers. I'd have been completely f@cked if he'd come across the road, but to my relief he crashed the other way through the hedge with a great clattering of antlers and branches.
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vorsprung
Joined: 29 Jan 2007
Posts: 490
Location: Devon-Somerset border
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Posted Thu Nov 5, 2009 1:16 pm |
Sometimes I go out for a quck spin in the evenings after work for "training" purposes. I have a proper audax bike with scarily bright lights.
Some people have mentioned lanes as being not good. The main advantage of lanes is that you can see the cars coming at night. Despite my nuclear lights I agree about potholes and hazards. Best to stick to lanes you know.
Fixing punctures at night does not require bat vision. You carry a head torch
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Tonymufc
Joined: 14 Jul 2008
Posts: 258
Location: North Manchester
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sturmey
Joined: 18 Oct 2008
Posts: 277
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Posted Thu Nov 5, 2009 6:00 pm |
I disagree with an earlier poster who said potholes are no more of a problem at night. They are hard enough to see in the daytime. I would only go out on a c*ap bike at night in the city- no point risking your £300 rims.
Some people just don't see you.
Especially people with a car full of kids. In the rain. On the way to a bonfire.
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cheers drive
Joined: 25 Aug 2009
Posts: 10
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Posted Sat Nov 7, 2009 9:05 am |
I night road ride almost as much as I do during the day as during the summer I'm more likely to go out on the mountain bike.
I agree with most of what's been said:
It's harder to be seen on lit roads or a dusk.
Wear as much reflectives and use as many lights as possible - I use a constant and flashing rear lights.
Potholes are a nightmare on the North Somerset roads so good fron't lights are a must - Even then I crash through a couple every ride that I fail to pick up on faster section.
Dark and rain aren't a good mix as drivers don't slow for the conditions and it's far harder for them to spot you, especially in traffic.
Country lanes are nice but it's difficult to spot mud and leaves in the dark so take it easy.
Finally it's great fun and it feels like you're going 5 mile an hour faster when riding at night
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doyler78
Joined: 29 May 2004
Posts: 1039
Location: Co Down, Ireland
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Posted Sat Nov 7, 2009 11:41 am |
Well people tell me that they spot my rear light on constant a lot better than my flasher on unlit roads. For that reason I always use a constant light on my rear when on unlit roads however I sometimes have my other light on flash if I leave work when it is still light as that one easier to see in the time before dark or when I'm in the city with its bright lights.
I do that for everything I wear. I will get someone to check me out to see if its all up to scratch. I don't feel the need to do the whole overboard thing of looking like buzz lightyear as I'm not all convinced that it actually makes you more visible. Either the person behind is paying attention or they are not and a decent set of lights and standard reflectives found on most clothing, shoes and overshoes for winter riding is more than enough to get their attention and if they don't see that then I doubt having more will actually make a difference however if it makes people feel more confident about riding at night then that can only be a good thing. Each to their own.
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APIII
Joined: 16 Aug 2007
Posts: 905
Location: Leighton Buzzard
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Posted Sat Nov 7, 2009 4:59 pm |
^^^^^^^ couldn't agree more.
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Murr X
Joined: 16 Dec 2008
Posts: 109
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Posted Sat Nov 7, 2009 5:33 pm |
| doyler78 wrote: |
I don't feel the need to do the whole overboard thing of looking like buzz lightyear as I'm not all convinced that it actually makes you more visible. Either the person behind is paying attention or they are not and a decent set of lights and standard reflectives found on most clothing, shoes and overshoes for winter riding is more than enough to get their attention and if they don't see that then I doubt having more will actually make a difference however if it makes people feel more confident about riding at night then that can only be a good thing. Each to their own. |
Having a bit more reflective gear is better than not having enough as I am sure you will agree. I often see riders not wearing enough reflective kit and it is very, very hard to see them. That coming from myself who is always looking out for cyclists at night and who has very good eyesight, not every driver will be so observant.
If you get hit and seriously hurt by a driver who did not see you then it really does not matter much if it was their fault or yours - imagine if you end up in a wheelchair for good. If you can prevent accidents like this then try to do so, having more reflective gear could mean the difference between being caught by a half asleep drivers eye and not so don't skimp on it. Really the reflective piping on most cycle gear is not good enough for night riding and even so called hi-viz kit may not be enough either.
Incidently I have noticed it is usually the cyclists who do not drive that tend to think they are much more visible than they really are to motorists.
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