Obviously, lights are really important for night riding. If you’re riding in an urban environment, there might be enough street light to get by with a relatively dim headlight; however, for more rural roads, you will want a brighter headlight. Additionally, rougher roads and faster riding speeds will require brighter lights to ride safely. Serious riders should have a headlight with a capacity of at least 500 lumens, that way you can run the light on the medium or low setting and have plenty of battery life.
Just because a ride is good in the day doesn’t mean it’s okay for night riding. At night, it’s even more important to choose routes with low traffic. Sometimes the best nighttime routes are simply a neighborhood loop, a business park circuit, or bike path. Avoid major thruways and stay a little closer to home – you can’t really see much of the scenery anyway.
Clear or yellow riding glasses are a must-have for night riding. Cycling glasses are for more than just sun protection – the lenses protect your eyes from dust and debris that can get kicked up from the road. Many cycling sunglasses come with multiple lenses so you can swap them out for night riding.
In the Fall, temperatures start dropping faster than before. While it may be comfortable at the beginning of your ride, after sunset, temperatures can rapidly decrease – so get out the winter clothing and dress for the temperature that’s forecasted for the end of the ride.
If you’re shopping for new winter clothing, consider choosing brighter colors and reflective accents. With reflective elements, movement is key to catching the eye of drivers. Reflective socks or reflective shoe covers are perfect for adding a little reflective motion to your kit without spending too much money.
