A few days ago I wrote an article on the top 10 reasons to go night biking. Now I want to give you a few tips on how to prepare for it.
MTB night ride: how to do it right
Short answer
How do you prepare for an MTB night ride?
You prepare for an MTB night ride with four things: safety, proper MTB lights, the right clothing and an easy route. Always wear a helmet and clear-lens glasses, and bring a red rear light as well as your front light.
- Wear a helmet and clear-lens glasses to protect you from a fall and from branches in your eyes.
- Ride with proper MTB lights on your bars and helmet, plus a red rear light.
- Aim the bar light so you can see about 15 metres ahead.
- Below 15 degrees, wear at least leg and arm warmers and a thermal shirt.
- For your first time, pick a trail without too many tight corners.
1. Safety!
Your safety comes first, obviously! So always wear a helmet (with an MTB light) and clear-lens glasses. That protects your head and your eyes in case of a fall, and from branches in the face. No such glasses? Then buy safety glasses. The DIY store will do if it has to, because nobody wants a branch in the eye!
2. Good lighting for your MTB night ride
When you hit the trail for night biking, it is important that you can see where you are riding. A cheap little LED from the discount store is not going to cut it. Make sure you are kitted out with proper MTB light lighting. A rear light matters too, and a plain red lamp or LED works best for that.
Personally I ride with the HX6 MTB light on my handlebars and the SX1 MTB light (now replaced by the HX2 MTB light) on my helmet. The HX6 gives diffuse light, so you get a sort of floodlight. Aim it so you can see about 15 metres ahead of your bike.
The HX2 is a mountain bike light you can use on your handlebars as well as on your helmet. It is nice and light, and you hardly feel that you have anything on your helmet. It lets you light up the corners, so there too you can see where you need to steer.
Have a look at all MTB LED lighting or the complete range of Hilox LED bike lighting.
3. Clothing
Once the sun goes down, the temperature drops quickly, so dress for it. If it gets below 15 degrees, wear at least leg and arm warmers, a thermal or sweat shirt and a short-sleeved shirt over it. If you still need to buy these, go for clothing with reflective parts, so other riders and drivers can see you.
Around freezing point, your best bet is insulated clothing with a windstopper, so the wind does not chill you. Gloves matter now too. Buy proper gloves made specifically for cycling. They have good grip and they breathe, so they do not fill up with sweat.
4. Pick an easy route
If it is your first time night biking, choose a trail without too many tight corners, so you can get used to riding in the dark. You will find it takes even more concentration than riding in daylight, so keep that in mind! Your eyes always need a moment to adjust to the dark, so start easy and only speed up once you feel you have enough skill and confidence to go a bit faster.
On mtbroutes.nl you can find all the Dutch routes, including how hard each trail is. I find it hard to hold back and not go flat out myself, but still: look after your safety! Thanks for reading this article!
Frequently asked questions about mountain biking in the dark
What protection do you wear for night biking?
Always wear a helmet and clear-lens glasses. They protect your head and eyes in a fall and from branches. No such glasses? Buy safety glasses, the DIY store will do if it has to.
What lighting do you need to mountain bike in the dark?
Proper MTB lights, because a cheap little LED from the discount store will not help you. Bring a rear light too, preferably a plain red lamp or LED.
How do you aim the MTB light on your handlebars?
Aim it so you can see about 15 metres ahead of your bike.
What do you wear when it is below 15 degrees?
At least leg and arm warmers, a thermal or sweat shirt and a short-sleeved shirt over it. Around freezing point, your best bet is insulated clothing with a windstopper and proper cycling gloves.
Which route do you pick for your first night ride?
Choose a trail without too many tight corners, so you can get used to riding in the dark. On mtbroutes.nl every route lists how hard the trail is.
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