Night Riding

I tried it last night 9pm to 12pm, had a great ride, just have watch the the Woods Pussies, seen a mom with half a dozen little ones, I almost rode right over them,
Mom was getting ready to due battle, I just froze and she gathered them all up and slipped off into a ditch, Cute little buggers...........
I guess, I had better use a stronger light in flood mode..........Lol

The watchers (Mule Deer) just stand there at less than 10-15yds and look at me..........
as if to say "What are you doing out this late at night".
Still pretty warm 80+ degrees, but started chilling off enough I was glad I had a light long sleeve shirt on, I got to get a better pair of clear glasses, those clouds of Buffalo Gnats sure get in your eyes/mouth etc. YUK.
Tia,
Don
 
I have discovered the joy of night riding. Being an old fart I routinely wake up in the middle of the night. What a great time to ride! The streets are empty, it is quiet and peaceful, and the Florida summer heat is no big deal.

Great fun!
I'm also a big fan of night riding. It has a feel all its own -- almost like flying at times.

Thought the OEM headlight and flashing LED wrist and ankle bands were enough in my dark neighborhood. But last night, I nearly mowed down an elderly couple crossing the street in front of me in all black. By the time the OEM headlight picked them up, I had just enough room to brake and swerve.

So now I'm looking for a quick-release mount for a really bright flashlight I can also use for other things. Hate to put more on the handlebar, but now I understand the need to see FAR ahead at night.

Addendum: If only the light were brighter...
 
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While you're out, especially around 1am to 4am, watch for falling stars. I've seen them a few times. Caught one on a helmet cam, but that was of such low quality you couldn't make it out.
 
Jeremy
Have you looked at these, I use on all the time, riding, checking out the back yard when the watch dogs sound off, changing tires in the night time etc.
Very handy and comfortable and very bright, either in a spot or flood focus etc.
Hth's,
Don
Thanks! A head lamp would definitely have some advantages here. Will check how it feels to wear my 450 lm Petzl with my helmet. If acceptable, a much brighter head lamp could work.

The Petzl is very light, very comfortable, and USB-rechargable. Use it all the time around the house. Everything is easier when you can REALLY SEE what you're doing, and fewer mistakes are made.

The best $45 I've spent on tools in a long time.
 
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I just bought a new fluorescent jacket COAT haven't got to use it at night it's bit cold here in the low 30s I just rode my bike to the store and back my GPS on my phone keeps track of where I go on my bike I don't know if that's a good or bad thing , Yeah people see my new fluorescent jacket with no problem it's like a big neon jacket sign
 
All Roxim STVZO headlights (6-85V) and one ebike that is most often ridden at night an LED bank that lights the night like a street light when there's no traffic.
Both operate on a wide range of voltages. Making a "tap" really a nice way to come off main power.
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LED light bar 12V-80V 7 Inch leading edge of the front rack​

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Riding the golf cart trails on the Golf Course by full moon is my favorite.
 
A couple of best practices I've developed over the years:
  • Blinky lights can make it hard for motorists to judge how far away you are at night. Best bet is to have two solid lights visible from your rear so they can get some perspective and make a good estimate of how far away you are and how fast you are going. Most blinky lights have a solid mode for this purpose.
  • Get a good rechargeable bike light with a GoPro style mount and use a GoPro mount to attach it to your helmet. GoPro mounts stay on and stay adjusted. Having the light high up on your helmet both helps you look around corners but allows you to see and be seen past obstacles.
  • Chances are you have an at least okay light on your bike. Go with it if it is okay but you can also upgrade if you want to.
  • There are also lots of high-end flood lights suitable for biking. Some of them are as bright as a nuclear reactor, and some of them come with cool features like an accelerometer where they will get brighter as you go faster and go dim to save battery when you are stopped. You probably won't need them and they are massive overkill for most situations but it is nice to know you can get 'em if you need 'em.
 
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