Ready to Conquer the Trails at Night? Tips for Your First Night Ride

If you think mountain biking is all about daytime adventures, think again! Night riding adds a whole new layer of excitment and challenges to the sport. From the adrenaline rush to the unique sensations, there's something special about hitting the trails after the sun goes down. New to riding under the stars? No worries! Here's your starter guide to experiencing the magic of night riding.

Gear Up - It's All About the Lights

Light the Way (and Where You Look): A powerful light is your best friend on night rides, a helmet-mounted model is the most important. It follows your line of sight, letting you illuminate corners and obstacles exactly where you need the light. Aim for a model with a wide beam and a minimum of 1000 lumens – 1500 lumens is even better for fast, technical riding. Another handlebar-mounted light adds extra visibility and removes annoying shadows.

Our Pick: We love our Fenix BC30 2200 Lumens lights, and here's why:

• All in one: No fiddly cables or separate battery packs to worry about.
• Lightweight: You'll barely notice it's on your helmet, it's also easy to put on and off.
• Remote Control: Change settings easily on the fly so you don't blind your mates when you stop for a rest.
• Spare Batteries: Spare batteries are easy to carry and recharge.
• Super bright and long lasting: don't be afraid too use them on high settings as the standard batteries will last for 2hrs on high and even longer on the lower settings.

If you'd like to get yourself a set, visit our lights page to learn more.

Keep an eye on our Facebook events page - we'll soon host intro night rides where you can try them out!

Price vs. Performance: Quality lights don't come cheap, but they'll last for years and transform the comfort of your rides. Do some research to find the best fit for your needs and budget. You can get away with a headtorch but they are sometimes difficult to attach to the helmet or can bounce around and smack you in the face (don't ask me how I have discovered that 🤣).

More Essential Gear

• Layer Up: Temperatures drop at night, so dress strategically. Start with a base layer for warmth, add a mid-layer for insulation, and top it off with a windproof/waterproof jacket if needed. A thin thermal beanie (we love our Mons Royale beanie!) fits snugly under your helmet. Don't forget gloves and good socks - we use winter neoprene cycling gloves from Ride 100% layered over Merino glove liners and it work wonders for us! Heaps of options just be careful the inner palm isn't too tick or it'll bunch up and be unconfortable. Sometimes we'll put ski socks on to be extra warm under our riding trousers. We've even heard the classic 'plastic bag over/in the sock' trick can be a winner for keeping feet warm. Let us know if you try it!

• Fuel Your Fun: Pack plenty of water, easily digestible snacks, and maybe even a warm drink in an insulated container for those cold nights.
• Motivational Bonus: Picture yourself back at the car sipping a warm, delicious beverage post-ride. It's great motivation on the trail!

Before You Ride

• Know Your Ride: Check your bike before heading out. Ensure your lights are charged, tires well-inflated, and brakes in perfect condition. Pack some tools and spare batteries for the lights in case you have to stay out for longer than planned.
• Safety in Numbers: Buddy up for your first night rides (even better, come out with the Spoke Sisters!).
• Start Easy: Stick to familiar trails at first. This lets you focus on adapting to the darkness.

Join the fun!

Why try night riding? Get ready for this:

• Rediscover the Trails: Experience your favorite routes in a whole new (moon)light! Every twist and turn feels fresh and mysterious.
• Pure Focus: The darkness strips away distractions, letting you feel the thrill of speed and flow like never before.
• Empowering Rush: Braving the night and the chill? That's a major confidence boost! You'll feel like you can tackle anything.

Ready to join the night riding club? Come on out for a Tuesday Spoke Sisters ride! You'll have a blast and see why we're totally hooked.