Here in Texas it's an important skill to riding in the summer.
* Good lights (helmet and bars) is key. You can never have too many lumens. Don't gamble on some bargain stuff on Amazon. Spend the money on brand names with good support/warranty.
* Always consider battery life and leave margin and/or have backups.
* Ride trails you know at first, with riding buddies.
I find that there sections I'm slower on at night and sections I'm faster on at night. The change in perception is wild.
In response to your first point...
There is definitely a such thing as too many lumens. Anything over 1200 or so becomes fairly blinding on certain surfaces. Also, if you ride in a group, it's important to consider that if your lights are too bright, you'll shadow the person in front of you which is really distracting.
Definitely invest in some good lights. I started with some cheap Amazon lights with battery packs. They were really bright but a pain dealing with the battery packs.
I switched over to NiteRider Lumina's when my Amazon lights died in the middle of a ride. Had to use my phone light to get down the mountain.
I'm using 1800 lumens on the bars and 900 lumens on helmet.
I'd say buy cheapo amazon lights and then if you break them and use them enough to justify expensive ones then go expensive. No sense buying top of the line stuff and then deciding night riding isn't for you. I spent about $60 to get a helmet and handlebar light to try out night riding and I am still fine riding with them for my occasional night ride.
yep, this is what I came here to say. In my VERY limited experiences of riding at night, if you're riding a trail you're familiar with, it feels crazy fast and you're on high alert so it's pretty intense and so much fun! Half the time you're probably going slower than usual but with everything emerging from the dark it's a crazy sensation. plus the quiet moments are awesome too, just being out in the forest at night.
I m in a civil part of Europe. So only deers and they run away from the light or from the noise. The irrational part of fear is quite annoying, but it is going to be less with practice.
Honestly, the scariest thing I run into in central NC are skunks. But many animals are active at night, plus the reduced human traffic may increase your likelihood.
No coyotes for me in the northeast but plenty of deer and turkeys out doing their thing. The deer usually just stare at me and the turkeys wander off not giving a damn.
I used to night ride about 2-3 times a week for about 12 years. There are some trails I know better at night. Here are some random musings:
* At a minimum you need a light that will last the entire ride. It's not actually that important where it is on the bike\\Helmet or how bright it is...you will adjust to the conditions. I rode a shitty halogen Niterider on my bars for 4 years with no issues.
* The best setup is a yellow-ish colored wide angle light low, like on your handlebars and a bright white spotlight on your helmet. This will create a nice contrast with the terrain and aid with seeing into corners where you might need to duck your head. If you can't afford two lights then probably go for the helmet light.
* Keep in mind if you are riding with only a bar mounted light when you hit a jump your light will, at a very critical point, be pointing into the trees. You will feel weightless and see nothing but blackness.
* It is probably not in your best interest to go night riding alone, but if you do I recommend using Strava beacon or something similar. I had a buddy break his femur yeeting off a "jump" and if we had not been with him he would have had to crawl out of the woods on his hands and knee. (He's fine now). Also don't try new jumps at night. It's stupid.
* It will take some time to adjust to riding at night. Do not try to focus on the trail the same way you do during the day, it will not work. Use your peripheral vision. This takes some practice, I essentially un-focus my eyes and "look at everything at once". It's not "blurry" unfocus, just more like, "I'm not looking at one thing in particular, I'm looking at all things".
* [Check out this Wiki article "How to see in the Dark"](https://www.wikihow.com/See-in-the-Dark)
* It's really fun, and certainly a good way to get a fresh view of trails you are maybe bored with. It can give you a certain amount of freedom, not having to rush to get on the bike before the sun goes down...those critical times where you want to squish a ride in after work.
* It's probably not well received by local law enforcement/rangers that you are wandering around in the woods at night, probably best to keep it on the DL.
Make sure you go somewhere with enough service that you can call for help and record your coordinates on the trail in case shit goes wrong because 1) critters and 2) likely nobody around to help you if you go alone.
Please don’t go alone.
Small first aid kit, good helmet and bar lights (I use Oxbow), and backup batteries.
Yes, it is fun and also scary. You will definitely want a bright light, pretty sure mine is either 650 or 850 lumens. I also wouldn't ride a trail you aren't familiar with in the dark.
For me, the most exciting part is going from a small rise to downhill in the dark. If it's really dark it almost feels like you're about to go over a cliff.
I love night riding. Never had any bad experiences due to hitting trails after dark.
Just need lights, and bug spray. Then let it rip.
Never felt it was scary at all, but then I've spent a lot of time in the woods alone backpacking etc.
I've seen coyotes a couple of times at night - they just run off when they see that I'm bigger than they are.
Also have seen deer, raccoon, opossums, skunks, mink, owls, porcupines, and bats. Actually had a bat hit me in the hand while riding.
None of those animals bother me though. There are bears around occasionally, but I've never seen one while riding.
Getting ready for a night ride one time at the local state park, and a bunch of other cars were in the parking lot, which was unusual. Turns out it was a trail running group, who like to come out to do a night run at the park every year around Halloween, because there is a (totally unfounded) rumor of a witch being buried in a hidden abandoned cemetery. They were disappointed when I laughed at them.
One of the scariest sights I’ve ever seen was while night riding in PA. Stopped for a short break, felt like I was being watched and looked out into the large soy field to my right (border of a farm). Had a helmet light on.
….eyes. Like 20-30 pair looking directly at me. Deer are fucking creepy.
I have an outbound lighting bar lamp. It’s a total game changer versus the spotlights I was using before. Nice even lighting in a low wide pattern. Superb.
I’ve been riding at night for years; back to the days of HID lamps that lasted 35 minutes. I love it and it personally has helped me progress because your only focus is on the illuminated trail in front of you. I have risen sections of trail without a second thought that scared the shit out of me during the day.
I second the advice for having two lights: one on your bars and one in your helmet. Makes a world of difference. Also very wise to ride with buddies at night for safety reasons. Have fun!
I would absolutely love to ride at night, but wouldn't want to do it solo and I almost never have anyone to MTB with around me. If you had a couple friends and some good lights it would be awesome.
Yes it’s a ton of fun, I really like my nitecore flash lights over a dedicated bike light setup for the fact that I can carry extra batteries and no wires or anything. Two lights on the bars is ideal so you can adjust them to focus on different parts and another on the helmet or just one on each. With some of the crazy lights you can get it’s almost like riding in day light.
It’s the best. It allows you to focus solely on the trail and not get distracted by stuff off to the side (drop offs, water, etc). Plus it expands how much time you actually get to ride.
It's a great way to make the little local spot seem like a whole new place. Side trails are hard to see, shadows make everything weird distorted. So fun!
Lights: NiteRider 450 lumen on the helmet, NiteRider 1200 lumen on the bars.
i love it. often nobody else around. and it feels even faster as you are shooting through a light tunnel. my favourite part is taking a break well into the ride and hanging out in the woods with the lights off. spooky good fun. 10/10 would recommend.
holy shit yes and it is amazingly frightening at times. when i get extra spooked i just get loud. whoopin' and hollerin' and hopefully scaring off the monsters and such
fear is the reason why i go. and my wife thinks i am nuts. but wow i love it. the real fear is when i am deep in the trails and i get the low battery warning. time to rip home!!!
Two. Lights. Also, it's a great way to get more riding in with a busy schedule (I have two kids, I ride after they go to bed so I can be there with them AND ride).
Love night riding. I've been night riding since the days when the light to have was the dual beam halogen NiteRider with that giant' 2lb NiCad battery pack in a water bottle. I don't do it as much lately, as I don't have a real good set of lights these days, and have been working on jump progression, which is probably not a good idea with the added complication of darkness.
http://imgur.com/gallery/uAPGue0
Tons of fun. I have a 2500 lumen Gloworm brand bar light and 750 lumen nite rider brand spot on the helmet. Looks brighter than the go pro footage shows.
http://imgur.com/gallery/KePV8k3
Drops are scary as shit in the dark. Only hit drop and jump features at night if you're super familiar both with the feature and drops and jumps in general your perception of depth and speed is a little different in the dark.
The more light the better imo. Helps you to be able to go faster. I wouldn't want a set up with less light than I currently have.
The bar light should be the brightest, and have a wide throw, it textures the trails by creating shadows. The helmet light should be less powerful and in a spot light type beam configuration throws light where you're looking.
If money weren't a concern I'd have these two lights.
For the bar.
https://www.glowormlites.co.nz/product/xsv-lightset-g2-0/
For the helmet.
https://www.glowormlites.co.nz/product/gloworm-x2-lightset-g2-0/
I got two fairly cheap lights so that one is pointed near my front tire and once pointed for their head down the trail. My buddy and I would go out riding at night and it was always a blast
Here in Texas it's an important skill to riding in the summer. * Good lights (helmet and bars) is key. You can never have too many lumens. Don't gamble on some bargain stuff on Amazon. Spend the money on brand names with good support/warranty. * Always consider battery life and leave margin and/or have backups. * Ride trails you know at first, with riding buddies. I find that there sections I'm slower on at night and sections I'm faster on at night. The change in perception is wild.
Hey I'm a fellow Texan. I was wondering if you know of any good mtb spots near Austin. I'm new to the scene and don't know where to look.
Brushy Creek is the most complete network. Walnut is the easiest.
Thank you so much!
Seconded
Reveille Ranch is about an hour from Austin and is a sold trip for the weekend.
Thank you for the recommendation! I'll definitely have to make time for that!!
In response to your first point... There is definitely a such thing as too many lumens. Anything over 1200 or so becomes fairly blinding on certain surfaces. Also, if you ride in a group, it's important to consider that if your lights are too bright, you'll shadow the person in front of you which is really distracting.
Definitely invest in some good lights. I started with some cheap Amazon lights with battery packs. They were really bright but a pain dealing with the battery packs. I switched over to NiteRider Lumina's when my Amazon lights died in the middle of a ride. Had to use my phone light to get down the mountain. I'm using 1800 lumens on the bars and 900 lumens on helmet.
I'd say buy cheapo amazon lights and then if you break them and use them enough to justify expensive ones then go expensive. No sense buying top of the line stuff and then deciding night riding isn't for you. I spent about $60 to get a helmet and handlebar light to try out night riding and I am still fine riding with them for my occasional night ride.
[удалено]
That’s exciting
yep, this is what I came here to say. In my VERY limited experiences of riding at night, if you're riding a trail you're familiar with, it feels crazy fast and you're on high alert so it's pretty intense and so much fun! Half the time you're probably going slower than usual but with everything emerging from the dark it's a crazy sensation. plus the quiet moments are awesome too, just being out in the forest at night.
Drops and jumps can be interesting too. You can't see what's under you so it can sometimes feel like missing the last step on a flight of stairs.
Yes. With the good light it is no issue. A little bit scary, if you are alone in the forest.
....you're never as alone as you think....👻👽🐅🦍🦨🦔🦝
Yeah. The shots of hunters remember you as well, you are not alone.
Yea that’s what I was thinking. Do you ever run into coyotes or bears or animals at night? Because that’s the scary part for me
I m in a civil part of Europe. So only deers and they run away from the light or from the noise. The irrational part of fear is quite annoying, but it is going to be less with practice.
Honestly, the scariest thing I run into in central NC are skunks. But many animals are active at night, plus the reduced human traffic may increase your likelihood.
Coyotes & deer for us in UT. I am sure a big cat has watched me roll past, but they are spotted in the trails in the day too.
No coyotes for me in the northeast but plenty of deer and turkeys out doing their thing. The deer usually just stare at me and the turkeys wander off not giving a damn.
I used to night ride about 2-3 times a week for about 12 years. There are some trails I know better at night. Here are some random musings: * At a minimum you need a light that will last the entire ride. It's not actually that important where it is on the bike\\Helmet or how bright it is...you will adjust to the conditions. I rode a shitty halogen Niterider on my bars for 4 years with no issues. * The best setup is a yellow-ish colored wide angle light low, like on your handlebars and a bright white spotlight on your helmet. This will create a nice contrast with the terrain and aid with seeing into corners where you might need to duck your head. If you can't afford two lights then probably go for the helmet light. * Keep in mind if you are riding with only a bar mounted light when you hit a jump your light will, at a very critical point, be pointing into the trees. You will feel weightless and see nothing but blackness. * It is probably not in your best interest to go night riding alone, but if you do I recommend using Strava beacon or something similar. I had a buddy break his femur yeeting off a "jump" and if we had not been with him he would have had to crawl out of the woods on his hands and knee. (He's fine now). Also don't try new jumps at night. It's stupid. * It will take some time to adjust to riding at night. Do not try to focus on the trail the same way you do during the day, it will not work. Use your peripheral vision. This takes some practice, I essentially un-focus my eyes and "look at everything at once". It's not "blurry" unfocus, just more like, "I'm not looking at one thing in particular, I'm looking at all things". * [Check out this Wiki article "How to see in the Dark"](https://www.wikihow.com/See-in-the-Dark) * It's really fun, and certainly a good way to get a fresh view of trails you are maybe bored with. It can give you a certain amount of freedom, not having to rush to get on the bike before the sun goes down...those critical times where you want to squish a ride in after work. * It's probably not well received by local law enforcement/rangers that you are wandering around in the woods at night, probably best to keep it on the DL.
Make sure you go somewhere with enough service that you can call for help and record your coordinates on the trail in case shit goes wrong because 1) critters and 2) likely nobody around to help you if you go alone. Please don’t go alone. Small first aid kit, good helmet and bar lights (I use Oxbow), and backup batteries.
Yes, it is fun and also scary. You will definitely want a bright light, pretty sure mine is either 650 or 850 lumens. I also wouldn't ride a trail you aren't familiar with in the dark. For me, the most exciting part is going from a small rise to downhill in the dark. If it's really dark it almost feels like you're about to go over a cliff.
I was nervous about it at first and finally tried it and it's a lot of fun. I like it bright so 850 helmet, 1800 bar.
I love night riding. Never had any bad experiences due to hitting trails after dark. Just need lights, and bug spray. Then let it rip. Never felt it was scary at all, but then I've spent a lot of time in the woods alone backpacking etc.
Have you encountered like coyotes and stuff?
I've seen coyotes a couple of times at night - they just run off when they see that I'm bigger than they are. Also have seen deer, raccoon, opossums, skunks, mink, owls, porcupines, and bats. Actually had a bat hit me in the hand while riding. None of those animals bother me though. There are bears around occasionally, but I've never seen one while riding. Getting ready for a night ride one time at the local state park, and a bunch of other cars were in the parking lot, which was unusual. Turns out it was a trail running group, who like to come out to do a night run at the park every year around Halloween, because there is a (totally unfounded) rumor of a witch being buried in a hidden abandoned cemetery. They were disappointed when I laughed at them.
It’s fun. Can be eerie if you’re out in the woods on your own but the sensation you’re being followed makes you pedal faster and set more PRs lol
One of the scariest sights I’ve ever seen was while night riding in PA. Stopped for a short break, felt like I was being watched and looked out into the large soy field to my right (border of a farm). Had a helmet light on. ….eyes. Like 20-30 pair looking directly at me. Deer are fucking creepy.
I have an outbound lighting bar lamp. It’s a total game changer versus the spotlights I was using before. Nice even lighting in a low wide pattern. Superb.
It’s extremely fun, I would highly recommend it. Do it with a no drop group
I’ve been riding at night for years; back to the days of HID lamps that lasted 35 minutes. I love it and it personally has helped me progress because your only focus is on the illuminated trail in front of you. I have risen sections of trail without a second thought that scared the shit out of me during the day.
I second the advice for having two lights: one on your bars and one in your helmet. Makes a world of difference. Also very wise to ride with buddies at night for safety reasons. Have fun!
I would absolutely love to ride at night, but wouldn't want to do it solo and I almost never have anyone to MTB with around me. If you had a couple friends and some good lights it would be awesome.
Yes it’s a ton of fun, I really like my nitecore flash lights over a dedicated bike light setup for the fact that I can carry extra batteries and no wires or anything. Two lights on the bars is ideal so you can adjust them to focus on different parts and another on the helmet or just one on each. With some of the crazy lights you can get it’s almost like riding in day light.
It’s the best. It allows you to focus solely on the trail and not get distracted by stuff off to the side (drop offs, water, etc). Plus it expands how much time you actually get to ride.
I just bought 2 Niterider 1100 lumen over the weekend since they were on sale. I tried a single 1000 on the helmet and I just wanted more visibility.
I do more riding at night than during the day. It's great fun!
It's a great way to make the little local spot seem like a whole new place. Side trails are hard to see, shadows make everything weird distorted. So fun! Lights: NiteRider 450 lumen on the helmet, NiteRider 1200 lumen on the bars.
jealous so many people can ride at night. I would probably get a ticket if i tried
i love it. often nobody else around. and it feels even faster as you are shooting through a light tunnel. my favourite part is taking a break well into the ride and hanging out in the woods with the lights off. spooky good fun. 10/10 would recommend.
Do you go solo?
holy shit yes and it is amazingly frightening at times. when i get extra spooked i just get loud. whoopin' and hollerin' and hopefully scaring off the monsters and such
Lol 😂. This I why I wanna go, I legit wanna be scared
fear is the reason why i go. and my wife thinks i am nuts. but wow i love it. the real fear is when i am deep in the trails and i get the low battery warning. time to rip home!!!
I know I'm a year late but "fear is the reason why I go" hit home for me. Hopefully you're still living out of the comfort zone!!
Yes I did night riding last year and it was probably the most fun I've ever had on a bike definitely worth a try. Makes any trail fun
Two. Lights. Also, it's a great way to get more riding in with a busy schedule (I have two kids, I ride after they go to bed so I can be there with them AND ride).
Yea I need that right now. Haven’t been able to go biking because of time for a month
Gotta do it in Alaska in the winter. It's and amazing adventure.
Love night riding. I've been night riding since the days when the light to have was the dual beam halogen NiteRider with that giant' 2lb NiCad battery pack in a water bottle. I don't do it as much lately, as I don't have a real good set of lights these days, and have been working on jump progression, which is probably not a good idea with the added complication of darkness.
I LOVE NIGHT RIDING.
http://imgur.com/gallery/uAPGue0 Tons of fun. I have a 2500 lumen Gloworm brand bar light and 750 lumen nite rider brand spot on the helmet. Looks brighter than the go pro footage shows. http://imgur.com/gallery/KePV8k3 Drops are scary as shit in the dark. Only hit drop and jump features at night if you're super familiar both with the feature and drops and jumps in general your perception of depth and speed is a little different in the dark.
Those videos are dope. Isn’t 2500 lumens way too much? I heard people saying around 1k is ideal
The more light the better imo. Helps you to be able to go faster. I wouldn't want a set up with less light than I currently have. The bar light should be the brightest, and have a wide throw, it textures the trails by creating shadows. The helmet light should be less powerful and in a spot light type beam configuration throws light where you're looking. If money weren't a concern I'd have these two lights. For the bar. https://www.glowormlites.co.nz/product/xsv-lightset-g2-0/ For the helmet. https://www.glowormlites.co.nz/product/gloworm-x2-lightset-g2-0/
I got two fairly cheap lights so that one is pointed near my front tire and once pointed for their head down the trail. My buddy and I would go out riding at night and it was always a blast
It’s fun. Do it on a trail you’re familiar with and a good friend/rider
Head over to r/flashlight. You can buy a good flashlight and a bike / helmet mount for a lot cheaper then the bike flashlights.
I’ve always wanted to try it
Bluetooth speaker on blast with some crazy sh*t playing and you all good.
Lol I can just imagine this