Alright, where are all the night riders

[knucklebuste]

Ok, got my light. H.I.D storm. Went on a maiden voyage with the hollowpoint and the H.I.D Monday evening at Leominster State Forest. The light works awesome but I don't know if it was just the lack of light or the fact that the trails are covered with leaves, but I felt much slower than usual. I suppose it just takes a little getting use to the night riding. Anyhow as I shut off my light as I took a rest I realized one thing. It's frign dark. Pitch black, and if my light died, I'd be totally S.O.L. trying to find my way back. Might want to carry a backup flashlight or something ha?
What do you guys use as a backup? I really don't want to add any more weight to my camelback, as it's probably close to 10lbs already, so is there some sort of small flashlight that you use that would be ample enough to get out of the woods?
Also, where are all the night rides? Do people on here even ride at night? Where do the majority of the rides happen?
Throw me a damn bone wouldja?
Knuck

[splat]

Knuck

Look under the rides section and Mass. IF_rider and AA were talking about one. also are you on any of the Nemba ride Mailing lists ?

[If_Rider]

I'm good for at least one night ride per week. I carry a flashlight as a spare and for repairs. Typically, speeds are lower on a night ride but the fun factor is higher.

Carrying a road flare is good too so the MedFlight can locate ya :o

[Jisch]

I agree, night rides are usually slower, easier paced rides than day rides. I suppose it has to do with not being able to see as much, but its an atmosphere thing as well, if that makes any sense. Even with the strongest light its still not like day time, the shadows mess with your head. You definitely have to keep loose to adjust for unseen bumps.

I usually don't carry a spare light, but I probably should. If you are riding with others, its not that difficult to ride right in front of someone with a light and get through the ride. Its not pleasant and I wouldn't plan on it for a whole ride, but it works in a pinch. I gotta start doing some night rides.

I've found that my vision, in low light scenarios, is much worse than most people.

John

[Sci Teach]

I've just started riding at night myself....but up here in southern NH...I've been riding in Pawtuckaway and Bear Brook lately. I've started to get used to the idea that an animal (like a moose) could be around any corner. And that those suprising rocks that your not anticipating do funny things to the bike! Great fun!

I carry a small backpacking headlmp with me as a backup....it wieghs next to nothing and the AAA batteries last nearly 100 hours....plenty of light to walk out (not enough light to ride with on anything remotely technical) or work on the bike (like fixing a flat) while saving precious riding light battery life.

The road flare idea scares me....I don't want to be in all those dead fallen leaves with an active flare!!!!

If your going to be in my neck of the woods at night let me know!

[C.P.]

2 Night rides a week through out the winter...
If riding myself, a small flashlight in the camelback...otherwise with a group, I don't worry about it.

[Tim]

I use a handlebar and a head lamp, so hopefully at least one will stay working long enough to get home. You certainly do have to cut the speed down, even with the 2 lights -- makes you feel really fast when you ride in daylight!

I did have a spooky night experience last year, riding on snowmobile trails in the winter. It was an out and back ride, and 50 yards back from where I turned around there were coyote prints on top of the tire tracks I had made just a few seconds before.

Tim

[CouchingTiger]

Really, night rides are supposed to be slower and more fun?

I need to stop riding w/ PK. His though is typically that, given the shortened ride time mandated by lights on a night ride (~2hrs), that we have to go way faster/harder to get the normal 3 hr ride into the 2 hr alloted time slot ;)

-Couch

[Phresh]

During the winter I'm good for two rides a week. I ride with two lights: one on the bars and one of the helmet. I don't carry any back-up lights because I'm always with people who can lead me out should the need arise. That said, I probably should carry something just in case. I'm looking forward to moonlight rides this year. There is nothing like riding sans lights by moonlight when there's a little snow on the ground to reflect the moon's rays.

[Dino Sore]

What do you guys use as a backup? I really don't want to add any more weight to my camelback, as it's probably close to 10lbs already, so is there some sort of small flashlight that you use that would be ample enough to get out of the woods?


I also have a Storm HID. For a backup, there are any number of cheap handlebar-mount lights that can run on rechargeable NiMH batteries. Most of these are commuter lights, but they can get you out of the woods if your main light fails.

I also carry a very small LED flashlight that runs on a single AA battery. I think I picked it up at EMS.

[johnbryanpeters]

I carry a little flashlight, single AA, hooked on to pack with a velcro strip. Probably quite inadequate if, say I had to hike out for an hour or so. I probably ought to get an LED light for backup.

I have both bar and helmet lighrts, but I almost never hook up the bar lights, because the battery is such a pain in the ass to manage on the Joker.

Actually, all battery and cord systems are a pain in the ass to manage.

J