If you know, you know—mountain biking in the moonlight or under a sea of stars can be positively transcendental. While many riders do their best to be home before daylight ends, others enjoy the cooler temperatures, thinning crowds, extended riding season, and greater sense of solitude associated with riding in the dark. It probably goes without saying that biking in conditions where visibility is limited is much riskier than riding in full sunlight. Whether you set out early to catch a summit sunrise or later in the evening to unwind after a long day at work, you should definitely take increased safety measures! Below, we’ll discuss five tips for riding in the dark.
Choose a Conservative Trail
Pick trails that you know well. Moonlight rides aren’t ideals settings for finding surprise rivers, cliffs, or technical rock gardens. It can be hard to tell the difference between a rock, hole, and shadow with limited visibility! In addition, depth perception can be altered by shadows and darkness, so avoid trails with tricky jumps, drops, or technical features.
Mountain Biking Lights
Most nighttime riding enthusiasts recommend both a helmet light and a handlebar light. In addition, it’s a good idea to use a rear light (on low brightness) to increase your visibility to others. Some bike shops rent out lights. Be sure to read all instructions regarding light and battery care. Many riders use a lower brightness setting for ascending (since they ride more slowly when climbing), and turn up the brightness for descents or trickier sections of trail. It’s a good idea to keep an extra bike light or headlamp in your pack in case you run out of battery life or break your light. If your light uses replaceable batteries, carry extras! Remember to give the rider in front of you plenty of space so that your light doesn’t cast a shadow in front of them.
Take it Easy
Ride well within your comfort level, and go slowly enough that you have plenty of time to stop before obstacles. Remember your Driver’s Ed teacher’s advice and never outride your headlights! Take corners conservatively, and don’t cut them short—the inside of corners will not be as brightly illuminated and can hide stumps, roots, and rocks. Be on the lookout for nocturnal animals who may not be accustomed to humans.
Carry Extra Layers
Especially in arid regions, pre-dawn and post-dusk temperatures can be dramatically colder than in daylight hours. Check the weather in advance, and be sure to carry sufficient layers like a long-sleeve jersey, baselayer, jacket, full-fingered gloves, and an under-helmet beanie when warranted! Consider bringing bug spray – mosquitos love dawn and dusk!
Safety when Night Riding
As with all rides, be sure to go through your pre-ride safety checks, bring sufficient fuel and hydration, carry an emergency kit, and tell somebody where you’re going and when you’ll return. Trails are much less crowded when it’s dark, so ride with friends whenever possible! Bring navigation tools even if you know the trail well, since landscapes can look very different in low light. You might also consider bringing bear spray not only for bears, but for cougars or other lurking animals. Ride with a group and make noise as you ride, whether talking amongst yourself or maybe singing some tunes.
While riding in the dark can be risky, careful planning can go a long way toward preventing injuries, hypothermia, and other dangerous situations. Bring a thermos of coffee or hot cocoa to enjoy while you admire the stars. Don’t be surprised if this becomes one of your favorite forms of adventure!