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Cycling distances at night

(8 posts)
  • Started 9 years ago by amir
  • Latest reply from crowriver
  • This topic is not resolved

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  1. amir
    Member

    I have thinking about the possibility of night-riding as part of audax rides. I am hoping to learn from the experiences of others about the pleasures/horrors of night riding along with tricks of the trade.

    As I commute right through the winter from Midlothian, I have a fair amount of experience of riding at night. However this is over short-ish distances (<15 miles), on roads that are not badly light (by street lights or by lots of cars) and/or I know well.

    However I have been rambling off-commute-route of late to make the most of the relatively warm weather, e.g. the backroads around Carrington, on roads which are windy, potholey and less transited. It is quite a different experience and I wonder how tiring it would be do the same over longer distances and how safe (e.g. crashing into pothole/side of road/cow/etc). I do have a good front light so I can see very well 10-20m ahead but obviously it's not the same as daylight.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  2. Ed1
    Member

    I only started cycling end of June, but I have done 800 or 900 miles and have cycled back from Leith to my house (10 miles) after 11 pm may be 10 times a few times after 1 am. Where I live there is no street lights so is completely black, other than the bike light.

    The main issue I find with cycling at night is the cold, it is also a bit harder to see objects on the road if a rock or other object has appeared, but mostly I find it a bit boring compared to the day. On country roads as cant see anything other than a beam of light in front it feels like it takes a long-time to get anywhere, the different backdrops makes the miles pass quicker in the day at night it feels like takes longer even when there is no time difference.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  3. paddyirish
    Member

    Good question. I'm thinking along similar lines and need to build up my distances first, but think that concentrating at night, while tired will be the biggest challenge for me.

    A lot of the sensations of riding are exacerbated at night. Rural roads with cars with full beam headlights, drivers not expecting to come across cyclists, debris from storms etc, deer, and birds.

    Wrong side of Edinburgh for you but I've found Dalmeny Estate a great commuting playground in Winter, often going through just after 6am. The coastal path is a 4WD track, irregular, potholey, animals (particularly dopey pheasants with a death wish), branches down and so on and pitch black but should be no traffic other than the odd fellow cyclist, dog walker and runner.

    On starry nights it is utterly wonderful, but also makes me more aware of what I can and can't do and I have to concentrate a lot.

    A night ride on its own could be a goal if you can find one early enough (EBF is an example but half way through the season). Better to try it fresh rather than after 200+km of cycling.

    Sorry for being a bit rambly but just a few of the thoughts going through my mind...

    Posted 9 years ago #

  4. kaputnik
    Moderator

    @Amir I used to go out with the ERC "Wednesday Night Winter Road Warriors" ride, which was mainly a bit of fun organised by Colin Russell who has an encyclopaedic mental knowledge of all the back routes of East Lothian and Midlothian and all the bits between.

    The rides were really good fun, but it was good to be out as a big group for company and to make the whole group highly visible as one. A cold, damp, dark flat tyre is helped immensely by the camaraderie, assistance and cajoling of others.

    My main worry was always hitting a patch of ice when it gets colder.

    As far as main lights concerned, it's good for picking out upcoming signs, turns etc. and potholes but actually once your eyes adjust to the dark you mainly aren't reliant on it. Oncoming un-dipped car headlights (as featured by many drivers on country lanes) are a constant pest as they reset your night-vision to zero. Finding routes with less traffic therefore a double bonus to get around this.

    Route finding can be difficult if you don't know the roads well as there are remarkably few points to get your bearings from on a dark country lane. Even working out "which way is Edinburgh?" from a lane in East Lothian can involve heading for the lighter patch of sky casued by the light pollution of the city.

    But it's great fun!

    Posted 9 years ago #

  5. sallyhinch
    Member

    Anyone else find climbs are easier in the dark? Makes me wonder how much of the hill is in your head...

    Posted 9 years ago #

  6. PS
    Member

    I did a few laps of Arthur's Seat in the dark last night - it seemed longer but not as steep. So, yes, probably an awful lot in the head (or maybe I was just going slower :-) ).

    I've done a couple of night rides through the Borders and enjoyed them both tremendously. I suspect it's actually safer for a cyclist with a good light, because you're more visible from a distance.

    The main worry I had was descending - you struggle to see potholes so you have to slow the descents right down. But your senses do sharpen up, on a clear night you can see (and hear) quite a lot of interesting stuff and you benefit from much quieter roads. The roads do seem very different in the dark too - not at all like you remember them.

    One of the good things about this time of year is you can be cycling in the pitch dark without feeling tired because it's only just gone 6pm...

    Posted 9 years ago #

  7. DrAfternoon
    Member

    I usually really enjoy the night riding on an audax. I seem to get a second wind after dark. It can be boring sometimes, but it's also very peaceful, with much less traffic.

    The cold can be an issue. You forget how much it cools after dark and there's a tendency to push on instead of stopping to wrap up more. The only time I ever listen to a personal stereo on the bike is out in the wilds in the dark, although I haven't actually done it on an audax.

    I'm planning to ride Lucy's 200k in December. That'll likely be a start and finish in the dark.

    Lack of sleep can be an issue on the very long rides, but mostly you just need to concentrate more on the road, and that in turn helps you stay sharp enough.

    I've only once cycled the whole night, on the Old Military Roads 400k back in September. Ten hours of riding in the dark, and I was getting pretty desperate for daylight by the end.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  8. crowriver
    Member

    Well, the obvious stuff like lights has been covered, but make sure you have a backup 'emergency' light (battery) in case your main beam fails for any reason. I find it handy to have a head torch packed, for reading maps, road signs etc. in the pitch black.

    You're not going to like this but get puncture-proof tyres (eg. Schwalbe Marathon or similar but 'racier'/more expensive). You really don't want to be fixing a puncture with not enough sleep in the middle of the night.

    Tiredness, and finding places to re-fuel, top up water bottles, get a coffee/cola/tea are the main issues in my experience. 24 hour services are a great boon in this regard: worth going slightly off-piste to find one: make sure you know the locations of the ones closest to your route, if any.

    Get plenty of sleep the night before. This is really essential. I've ridden audaxes with insufficient sleep beforehand and it wasn't nice. Falling asleep on the bike not recommended. If you do start feeling really tired, find somewhere to grab a caffeine laced beverage, or failing that find a bus shelter for a micro snooze: makes all the difference. Riding through the night is a challenge that needs to be prepared for: digesting food can be an issue I find if you've been cycling all day and into the night.

    Cold is only an issue for me when off the bike, though sometimes the winter can be hellishly cold even during the day. Wundproofs, good gloves, hat, scarf/buff and thick socks plus overshoes help.

    Anyway, apart from tiredness and food and drink issues, night riding can be great fun. The roads are very quiet after 10pm. If the stars are out, it's magical.

    Posted 9 years ago #

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