night riding know-how

Hitting the trails in the dark is a whole lotta fun, but it does require a little more planning and preparation…

BE PREPARED Make sure your bike is wellmaintained and ready to ride. This will get you on the trails quicker and lessen the chances of having to perform repairs in the dark.

SHARING’S CARING Night riding is best done as a group activity. This makes things safer in case of an accident, and we can attest that it’s more of a laugh too.

STAY SAFE Always let someone know where you’re riding and what time to expect you back. Agree easy-to-find meeting points in case someone in your group gets lost or left behind. It’s a good idea to keep an ICE contact in your phone too.

KNOW THE TRAILS Stick to trails you know well. It’s easy to get disorientated in the dark and tough to find your way around new places.

CARRY SPARES It’s no fun having to walk home, so carry a good multi-tool, pump, tube, tyre levers and spare quick-link (trust us – we needed ours) as a minimum. A back-up light and spare battery are a good idea too, plus a rear light for road sections.

UNDERSTAND YOUR LIGHTS There are tons of lights out there, each with di erent outputs, settings and batteries. It’s smart to know exactly how yours work and how long they’ll last. Make sure your ride will finish in plenty of time before your lights pack up.

DRESS FOR SUCCESS It’s usually colder at night, so pack some spare layers. Dress for the conditions so you can concentrate on enjoying your ride.

PROTECT YOUR VISION A mudguard’s a good idea, because it’s harder to avoid puddles at night. Riding glasses or goggles will stop your eyes streaming on long, chilly descents, keep muck out and protect you from trailside foliage.