As daylight hours grow short in the northern hemisphere, a few hardy mountain bikers are digging their bike lights out of their closet and are preparing to hit the trail after dark. But for many riders, night riding is an intimidating prospect or an option that might not have crossed their minds.
For those unfamiliar with night riding, here are my top 10 reasons to ride mountain bike trails at night:
1. Riding in the dark makes you a better rider. At night your field of vision narrows to the thin strip of dirt just in front of your tire, which allows you to concentrate on reading the trail in new ways. Shadows cover hidden obstacles so you’ll quickly learn to be more alert and to react more quickly to the terrain. As a part of a broader skills training regimen, night riding will hone your abilities on the trail.
2. Old trails become new. If you’re like me, sometimes you get bored of riding the same old trails week after week but night riding changes things completely. Riding through a dark tunnel of trees and blackness will get your adrenaline pumping, while things like trail exposure will fade away, making difficult trails seem easier and vice versa.
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3. Dark trails are empty trails. If you’re looking for solitude on the trail but don’t want to drive to the middle of nowhere, night riding can be just the ticket to getting the trails all to yourself. The upshot is you can also ride faster without worrying about running into riders heading the opposite direction. Even if you do encounter other riders you’ll be able to see their lights well before they approach.
4. Lower temps in the summer. This one bites both ways, but I love being able to ride at night during the summer when the temperatures are much lower than during the day. Even better: a pre-dawn ride in the summertime.
5. Open up your riding schedule. If you have a family, you know that getting in a little trail time can be a challenge some days. Riding at night is a good compromise since it opens up your schedule to do other things during the day. Who needs sleep anyway?
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6. Good excuse to get new gear. I know, I know, mountain biking isn’t all about the gear but sometimes it’s fun to play with new toys. For night riding, you’ll need at least one high tech light system and warmer clothing if you’re riding during the winter.
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7. Night riding is more social. Riding at night by yourself is even more dangerous than riding solo during the day, though that’s not to say I haven’t done it more than once. Still, thanks to #5 most of your riding buddies won’t have an excuse for skipping a night ride. After our Tuesday night rides we usually go out for pizza and beer, which is almost as fun as riding.
8. Avoid trail user conflicts. I’ve never heard of anyone going “night hiking,” though I suppose some people do it. Still, you typically won’t find hikers or equestrians out on the trails at night, which opens up the riding possibilities.
9. See the light show. Just because it’s nighttime doesn’t mean you won’t be able to see amazing scenery. If you’ve ever seen a stream of a dozen bike lights weaving through the forest at night, you know what I’m talking about — such a cool sight.
10. Extend your season. If you’re used to hitting the trail for a couple hours after work, standard time can put a crimp in your plans — unless of course, you have a light. Don’t be a caveman — get a light and venture out at night!
What do you like (or dislike) about riding at night?
Convinced you’re ready for your first night ride? Read Corey’s Night Riding 101 article to find what you need to get started!
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23 Comments
Dec 2, 2011
Nov 29, 2011
The deer hunters have gone home, no user conflicts. Someone must have gotten the 6 pointer that almost ran over me the last time.
Nov 30, 2011
As a corollary to #1, I would add that the field of vision offered by night riding really aids in line selection. The narrowed focus and corresponding lack of outside distractions really help you select the best available line sooner and commit to it with time to execute comfortably. I clean the rock gardens better at night than in the day.
#2 is the most true of all. I remeber my first night ride--not wanting to venture too far from home, I hit the open space park a block from the house--the relatively easy trails with uninteresting scenery suddenly became interesting and even exotic. The leafless scrub oak, which really isnt that attractive in the day, gave the trail an otherworldy feel, as did the few fairly small rock obstacles that aren't particularly interesting in the daylight. Night riding has made all my old standards fresh again!
#10 is the best. I hated sitting on a stationary bike in the gym in winter--now, I'm not limited to that except when weather prohibits outdoor riding. Being able to ride a real bike year round rocks!
Oct 19, 2017
Riding at night off road is fun. In England in the summer I'd set off at 11-pm for around two hours or as long as the battery lasted. We would ride all year round and night rides definitely improved one's skills.
Riding alone at night in K-country is worrying due to bears and cougars. That's not to say I haven't done it....
Nov 29, 2011
This time of year I tend to pack my light if I start after 4pm. Better safe just in case. Early am rides are the best!
Dec 2, 2011
Dec 1, 2011
Dec 1, 2011
http://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-gear/mountain-bike-light-buyers-guide/
http://www.singletracks.com/blog/beginners/mountain-bike-night-riding-101/
And here's a list of all the bike lights we've reviewed in the past:
http://www.singletracks.com/mountain-bike/reviews/pro.php?cat=Lights
Nov 30, 2011
Oct 20, 2017
Nov 29, 2011
Good times!
Nov 30, 2011
Nov 13, 2015
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Dec 1, 2011
We are heading.g out tonight actually. 8 pm wheels down in Montgomery County Md. (Wont say where in fear the trail authorities catch on)
I ride with about 4-6the guys and we all use the Magic Shines. There ate zero issues with the light itself, but the old batteries. They have since issued new ones. I personally have not had any issues with old or new. Great light and can't be mat hex for the money!
I use that on my helmet and a smaller Cygolte on the bars. Works great for me!
Nov 29, 2011
This time of year tho, it's the only way to ride after work during the week.
Oct 14, 2014
May 16, 2013
Dec 1, 2011
Do other parts of the country have more lax rules for parks or are more trails on private land?
Oct 21, 2017
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Oct 20, 2017
Oct 20, 2017
Oh, and I do have a night light that can start a forest fire. I have a kerosene lantern duct taped to my handle bars. I use it just in case a lion attacks. I can throw it at him.