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night cycling !
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i was wondering what the forum thinks about night cycling and training on roads they normally frequent?
i have been thinking about the idea, as this sometimes, is all the time i have to play with even if it is for an hour or so..
while sense would prevail(ie no bike on a friday night) has anyone done it on a reqular basis and what has the experience been like ?
thanking you
daveno7
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Re: night cycling !
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I try to commute three times a week in winter, but I make a point of using the quiet country back lanes and avoid the main roads at all costs.
What is magical is to pick a clear moonlit night sometime in the winter, a Sunday Morning is ideal, and go out at around 2/3 am, If you only do it once, its absolutely worth it.
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Re: night cycling !
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I love riding at night - if only it wasn't so dangerous! You have to be lit up like a Christmas tree!! Mind you, having an owl swoop 10 feet in front of you on a clear moonlit night makes it all worthwhile 
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Re: night cycling !
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Such a buzz riding on unlit quiet roads at night (in the Winter especially).... You're all wrapped up, truly in your own world. These are the times my mind is most clear... Everyone should try it.....
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Re: night cycling !
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I love it, good lights, wildlife everywhere, watch out for bats. It's like all your normal routes are brand new, roll on frosty winter nights!
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Troy
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28/08/2008 22:43
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Re: night cycling !
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Mountain Biking at night is simply awesome.
Especially when the moon is full and the sky is clear. Sometimes its so bright that you don't need lights. Its like riding in black and white.
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Re: night cycling !
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I used to do it at 5 a.m. There are few cars about, but the drivers that are out there are mostly half asleep, and not expecting to see you, in my experience, unless your are on fairly well used roads.(not necessarily lit)
Riding home at 5/6 p.m. in the dark feels safer because most people seem more awake but they are driving under rush hour mindset so are less considerate, this is the time to use country lanes if possible.
Obviously wear bright reflective stuff if you can, and get the best headlight you can afford, when I did a lot of dark riding, lights were rubbish, they seem to have improved quite a bit since, although the car drivers may well see you with a mediocre light, you will never see the potholes, dead rabbits etc at 20 miles an hour unless your lights are good.
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Re: night cycling !
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at 20 miles an hour unless your lights are good.
20 mph!!! I wish 
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Re: night cycling !
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Quote:
I used to do it at 5 a.m. There are few cars about, but the drivers that are out there are mostly half asleep, and not expecting to see you
Me too but then I got into a serious relationship and all that ended!  
Quote:
you will never see the potholes, dead rabbits etc at 20 miles an hour unless your lights are good.
No matter how good your lights are it's only live rabbits that do 20 mph, dead ones stay still!
Sorry wuverley sillyness has set in tonight!
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Re: night cycling !
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Bfergie, very,very, naughty
rcruise, 20 mph in the dark is usually downhill.
Forgot that, going fast downhill in the dark can be terrifying, if you don't know the road well.
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Re: night cycling !
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I travel to work at 4.30am and it is very enjoyable!! There are very few cars about!! It is esp good at weekend as you see the detritis i.e. half eaten kebabs, broken bottles and the odd drunken teenager from the night before!! It makes me feel that little bit better about myself!
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Re: night cycling !
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The empty roads up on the moors at night are the best riding there is. I usually leave the flying machine at home and take the tourer with a set of serious headlights and Schwalbe Marathon tyres. It ain't much fun breaking down in the pitch black 15 miles from home at 3 in the morning! (been there..  )
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Re: night cycling !
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Night swimming...even more fun, Nice burn(stream), waterfall, plunge pool, warm summer night, gentle breeze(no midges) nice company, camp fire, more company, couple of acoustic guitars, few drinks for those who wish, perfect!
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Re: night cycling !
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Quote:
The empty roads up on the moors at night are the best riding there is. I usually leave the flying machine at home and take the tourer with a set of serious headlights and Schwalbe Marathon tyres. It ain't much fun breaking down in the pitch black 15 miles from home at 3 in the morning! (been there.. )
The beast of Glossop/ Galloway is just a myth then? Wouldn't catch me out on the moors alone at night, oh no...
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Re: night cycling !
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The beast of Glossop/ Galloway is just a myth then? Wouldn't catch me out on the moors alone at night, oh no...
I am no myth!!!
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Re: night cycling !
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love night riding for all the reasons given . If we had more members we could maybe organise some night time w/e meets and rides .
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Re: night cycling !
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anyone who rides on roads at night is a fool, car drivers could not give a flyin xxxx for cyclists at the best of times. MTB though, is fantastic for all the above reasons
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Re: night cycling !
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thank you for the time taken to respond to the topic,the whole idea is gathering in my mind and i hope to get out and do some before the winter rears it ugly head but then again maybe winter is the time to do it justice..
some wonderful thoughts and images there...really enjoyed the responses
again thank you
daveno7
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Re: night cycling !
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Quote:
The beast of Glossop/ Galloway is just a myth then? Wouldn't catch me out on the moors alone at night, oh no...
There are a few black cats in the Peak - the nights regular bus drivers used to see one on Stanton Moor occasionally & the hill farmers used to swear there was something killing sheep on Beeley. That said I've never seen one when I've been on the bike. Now visiting a stone circle during a lunar eclipse, THAT's scary!
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Re: night cycling !
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Now visiting a stone circle during a lunar eclipse, THAT's scary!
Unless you're a virgin maiden or a chicken/goat/sheep etc you're pretty safe. 
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Re: night cycling !
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We have some of those here but no virgin maidens, they had to fly them in when they filmed "The Wickerman" in the 70s!
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lewis
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04/11/2008 17:09
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Re: night cycling !
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Sorry to bring up a old post,but i recently got into cycling this past summer (if we had one!  ),and i was going out during the evenings as at the weekends,i race motocross.
now the nights are darker earlier,i either have to go out on saturday,then race my motocross bike sunday,(not ideal) or get some decent lights.
I have decided to go for some lights,but so confused as to what to buy/amount to spend.i can afford to pay about £100 for front and rear,maybe a bit more if the front light is worth it.any recommendations? 
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Re: night cycling !
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Just purchased nite rider mi newt
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/NiteRider_MiNewt_X2_LED_Front_Light/5360031093/
Bloody good buy - not the brightest but bright enough to see where youre going on dark country lanes.
Best money i ever spent!! plus it aint too dear!
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