I've done loads of night riding, road and off road, although these days, as I'm commuting, I don't go back out after I get home - although much of my route can be down dark off road routes.
My biggest issue locally is scallywags. You don't know if they are just out having a sneaky splif, or indeed out to rob you for your bike - had both these instances in the last few weeks - nearly got robbed (smashed through them) and then another group, totally in the dark, but my big lights picked them up, were just having a smoke.
Has great fun with some mates, we used to 'lead' the rides based where each of us lives - just not done it for a while as we are all riding to work, and a bit knackered after.
Not bothered about real wild life, it's just the human sort being on the edge of urban areas.
Had one ride where the four of us suddenly appeared into a clearing and there was a big group of lads on Sur-rons. They were more shocked than us as we appeared from no-where and said 'coming through' and just charged through.
I used to ride most Thursday nights on Cannock Chase with a group who were all much younger than me. So at some point I would peel off with a "see you at the pub" so they could have a belt around without me holding them back.
Sometimes, especially if it was a moonlit night, I would turn my lights off, wait about 10 minutes for my night vision to develop* and set off down one of the main paths which, being gravel as opposed to grass, were quite visible.
It was great - the deer grazing and drinking in the streams paid absolutely no notice as I rode gently between them. Unless it was rutting season, in which case their lion-like roars would warn me off. However one night I heard what I think was the shot of a poacher's gun - a lamper. I turned my lights on pretty sharpish and rode off quickly, not wishing to be mistaken for a fat juicy bit of venison.
*night vision, I discovered, is the process of the dominant cones in our eyes (responsible for colour perception and not good at all in low light) reluctantly handing over to the largely monochrome rods which work much better. It takes a good few minutes for the cones to get fed up and they'll leap into action again in a (literal) flash.
Historically I've found it always wiser to ride with at least 1 slower mate. Psycho-Axe-Murderer-take-the-himdmost and all that.
I think I will give it a go tomorrow. It should be clear sky and a full moon.
Tonight was clear
Good idea or not?
Used to do it all the time as i generally always rode alone anyway, mostly around Kirroughtree red/black as the stars up on top of talnotry hill were awesome, another fav was up cairnmore of fleet or out into the Galloway hills. Always carried a space blanket/whistle/lighter in my jacket/back pocket just in case. And a small petzl type head torch for emergencies.
There was a thread on here years ago about the worst song for solo night rides.
I think it was “Come to daddy”.
I've been doing night rides on my own several times a week for 15 years now. Nothing too weird, yet. I find it's helpful not to watch horror movies. Random temperature changes are a bit creepy. Usually seems to be canals and other waterways responsible.
I did* it occasionally in BC, Canada.
Solo, "North Shore" double black trails in the snow - what a rush!
Luckily, the trails are pretty close to civilization, have phone signal and, generally, there are enough other mountain bikers or trail runners or dog walkers around that you're likely to be found quite quickly if something goes wrong (particularly if you go out early enough ie as soon as it's dark).
As others have said, on some trails, the darkness actually helps as you don't get distracted by "features" outside your immediate field of vision.
I have also done lots of solo rides in bear (and cougar) country as well - though bears hibernate for winter so the combination of bears AND snow doesn't happen 😉
(*I'm far too much of a coward to do anything so risky these days)
And just remember to ignore ‘the fear’ when the hair stands up the back of your neck with the feeling that someone is right behind you, I’m sure there is no one there…… mostly.
Yes in woods I'm more spooked at night and always looking over my shoulder, daft really, but riding the bike at night is one of life's pleasures.
Round here.
If I go for a long night ride I can get scared shitless by some big cats. Not the ones in the daily heil where there is an obvious height clue in a tree protector or, most recently, the stubble in the field which shows its a a hefty house cat but the real thing. Happily the damn things are in cages at the zoo.
Closer to home the peacocks at a local farm can be rather freaky as can the muntjacs barking away sounding like the hound of the baskervilles.
A layby which leads to a not bad singletrack section has happily been barricaded off so I feel safe riding it without meeting the local doggers. Once was more than enough
For years, off & on road. just take it a bit easier & not too wild.
My wife & kids track me on Life360 - free version, never had a problem just nice & steady.
"Winter miles, Summer smiles"
Thanks tall_martin, I solo night ride in Bestwood, never heard about that although there's a couple of dodgy estates around the park. I was gonna say it never bothers me but maybe it will now. Will have to see next time I go
