Knightrider..any advice on cycling at night

howardmarks

So tomorrow I'll be attempting my first commute home by bike.
Circa 35/40km on a defy road bike.
Route from the south of dublin city to north county Dublin.
I think ive got lights and gear mostly sorted.
2 torch like lights on the handlebar and a knog blinker on the fork. At the rear I've a cateye led on the seatpost, a 5led blinker on the fork and a blinker on the back of my helmet.
Hi vis, waterproof etc.

Anybody got any must know tips for night cycling? Will have the city centre to cross first and a mix of roads between there and balbriggan.

Edit
Going to add My equipment list which I pulled from various threads on here and ordered over the past few weeks.

Defy road bike (obviously)
Mudguards
Helmet (met crossover with light attached)
Rear rack (road bike specific, bike had eyelets)
700c 25mm puncture resistance tyres (scwalbe durano plus)
Bell
Lights front-
x2 torch like for seeing
X1 blinker for being seen
Lights rear-
Led 3 on seatpost
Led 5 on rear fork
Bell to be heard

Clothing
High vis running singlet
For the rain:
Rain windproof jacket(aldi special)
Water resistant trousers(aldi special)
For the cold:
Cycling tights
Base layers
Cycling jersey
Clear glasses for knightriding
Kryptonite lock
Topeak morph master blaster pump

(Thanks to numerous posts on boards which ive been reading the past few weeks)

flazio

I'd suggest a bell as well, if it appears someone isn't looking where they should be, a quick ring might get them to pay attention and avoid an accident.

howardmarks

flazio wrote: »

I'd suggest a bell as well, if it appears someone isn't looking where they should be, a quick ring might get them to pay attention and avoid an accident.

Yeah I picked up one last week after browsing some posts on here

Alek

if it appears someone isn't looking where they should be, a quick ring might get them to pay attention

I am afraid a bell never worked for me. A sharp and loud "HEY!!!" always does though.

loudymacloud

howardmarks wrote: »

.

Anybody got any must know tips for night cycling? Will have the city centre to cross first and a mix of roads between there and balbriggan.

I would be interested to hear how you get on, i am considering doing the same and would have quite a similar route as yourself, i would be heading to Donabate instead of Balbriggan.

howardmarks

loudymacloud wrote: »

I would be interested to hear how you get on, i am considering doing the same and would have quite a similar route as yourself, i would be heading to Donabate instead of Balbriggan.

Will keep you updated for sure. Hoping if it goes well to do it several times a week.

07Lapierre

Spare batteries for your lights
TWO spare inner tubes
A multitool

What are your tyres like? If there old, replace them now. City to Balbriggan is a long walk in cycling shoes!

Luxman

Be confident on your road position when mixed with other traffic. If possible get visual contact with other road users when necessary. (Traffic lift , turn, junctions) which can be tricky in the dark. Use the underpass on the Donabate interchange. I found this to be a tricky section to negotiate otherwise during daylight hours

07Lapierre

Luxman wrote: »

Be confident on your road position when mixed with other traffic. If possible get visual contact with other road users when necessary. (Traffic lift , turn, junctions) which can be tricky in the dark. Use the underpass on the Donabate interchange. I found this to be a tricky section to negotiate otherwise during daylight hours

Or avoid it altogether....Swords, Ballyboughal, blakes Cross, Lusk, Skerries, Balbriggan. It's not like your in a hurry to get home before dark!

howardmarks

07Lapierre wrote: »

Spare batteries for your lights
TWO spare inner tubes
A multitool

What are your tyres like? If there old, replace them now. City to Balbriggan is a long walk in cycling shoes!

Got spare batteries earlier. Tyres are new. 25c Schwalbe durano plus at the rear delivered during the week and a Michelin 23c on front. Will swap out the Michelin to a schwalbe 25c next week. Only ordered 1 as concerned about clearances.
As is if I get a flat at the front it wouldn't take long to change. After the length of time it took to get the rear on I dont fancy ever changing at the road side.

howardmarks

Luxman wrote: »

Be confident on your road position when mixed with other traffic. If possible get visual contact with other road users when necessary. (Traffic lift , turn, junctions) which can be tricky in the dark. Use the underpass on the Donabate interchange. I found this to be a tricky section to negotiate otherwise during daylight hours

Thanks for this. The kinda info I was hoping for.

TheBlaaMan

you've not mentioned, but a pair of clear lense glasses or even better, a pair specific to might use (generally yellow/orange )

not yet

flazio wrote: »

I'd suggest a bell as well, if it appears someone isn't looking where they should be, a quick ring might get them to pay attention and avoid an accident.

The last thing you need is being stopped by a guard and asked...

Where would you be going with no bell on your bike.


Water and maybe a gel just in case, it'll be the guts of a 2 hour cycle.

rollingscone

Lots of safety advice here*:

https://twitter.com/Flaminghobo1/status/662220047394480128?s=09








*if you do the opposite.

howardmarks

Added my equipment list which I picked up based on various threads here.
My main concern is the drivers day v night.
I dont think there's a difference to cycling style based on responses here just make sure im seen

brocbrocach

Will you be using panniers?
If you are I always put a blinker on to the right hand side outside - cars might give you that 1/2 a foot extra.

07Lapierre

TheBlaaMan wrote: »

you've not mentioned, but a pair of clear lense glasses or even better, a pair specific to might use (generally yellow/orange )

Yellow/Orange lenses are for Dull/overcast DAYLIGHT. Use clear lenses at night.

OldBean

This time of year, gloves. If you don't already have them, try get ones with reflective bits on the back, so if you're indicating you've some hope of your hands being illuminated by any drivers behind you.

I wouldn't bother with waterproof trousers. They're loud and sweaty, you'll be kitting off when you get home anyways. Get a pair of winter bibtights. I think Planet X or wiggle are currently having a sale.

Be as confident as you can in your road position, especially if it's wet, slippy, icy, windy or leafy.

howardmarks

brocbrocach wrote: »

Will you be using panniers?
If you are I always put a blinker on to the right hand side outside - cars might give you that 1/2 a foot extra.

Not at the minute. Ive a backpack bungee'd to the rack with a high vis cover over it. I can leave some stuff in work on the off days so wont be carrying too much. I do have a rear light positioned on the rear fork that faces the road approximately where a pannier with light attached would be for that exact reason.

I got the rack as I plan on cycling to Germany in the new year.

benneca1

Stick a head torch somewhere if you are not under lights all the time. Great if you get a puncture in the dark. Also if you are not on a budget a Lezyne micro floor drive pump which is basically a mini track pump. Its a lifesaver for blowing up a tube with cold wet hands in the dark. Santa might bring you one

howardmarks

benneca1 wrote: »

Stick a head torch somewhere if you are not under lights all the time. Great if you get a puncture in the dark. Also if you are not on a budget a Lezyne micro floor drive pump which is basically a mini track pump. Its a lifesaver for blowing up a tube with cold wet hands in the dark. Santa might bring you one

I have a topeak morph master blaster with gauge. This one

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/ie/en/topeak-morph-turbo-pump/rp-prod2909

Never (touch wood) had to use it but testing at home says it should get me home in the event of puncture.

Hmm head torch. Next on the list. I'm starting to think I like shopping more than cycling!

07Lapierre

Co2 inflators!

http://silca.cc/products/eolo-iii-co

tomasrojo

Visibility aids:

---

Bright frontlight (Cateye HL EL 510/520)
Bright rear light (Smart R2)
Homemade wristlights (Moon Crescent White x2)
Somtimes use a reflective belt around satchel (made from old Sam Browne)
On tourer, I fixed a yellow reflector on the mudflap to make the most of dipped headlights

Kit in pannier:

---

Repair kit (spare tube, pump, tyre levers, multitool including chain breaker, mini Leatherman, patches, vulcanising solution, pitlock key, few other bits)
Spare t-shirt, spare long-sleeved top in winter
Spare batteries for Cateye and Smart light if getting near the end of charge.

Kit in small messenger bag:

---

Raingear (useful for extra layers if it gets cold too)
Gloves and hat if winter


That's about it. Around Dublin city centre and outer suburbs, that's always been more than enough. Can't speak for its efficacy on a rural route. Not sure what Balbriggan route is like. I used to cycle out to Lucan every night, and I was able to deal with all problems I ran into using pretty much the repair kit I have now. But that was more like an hour, not two hours.

Behavioural adaptions for night:

---

I'm drawing a bit of a blank here. Same as daylight overall; keep in mind that a driver may not be looking, and wait for some sort of visual cue they've seen you before going through with a manoeuvre.

Overall I prefer cycling at night, but, as I said, that's really cycling in Dublin I'm doing. Good modern lights mean that you will be seen if the driver can be bothered looking in your direction before driving there, or hasn't driven at irresponsible speed around a blind bend at you. Minimise the number of such blind stretches on your journey maybe. Use quiet routes through neighbourhoods for a quiet life, maybe. Unless they're bad neighbourhoods.

Wishbone Ash

No need to overthink it - get out there and do it!

I cycle both routes regularly in the dark and they are pretty straightforward.

City centre to Donabate is lit for most of the way except for the Hearse Road. Take it handy through Donabate village as there's often some erratic driving especially around the entrance to Super Valu. There's also a large smooth man hole cover right on the bend at the old cemetery.

City centre to Balbriggan is also lit most of the way. It's unlit between the Round Tower filling station and the Five Roads (except for a few lights at Murtagh's of Ballough. There are a few short unlit sections between the Applegreen filling station and Balrothery.

Balbriggan to City - take great care at Blake's Cross as a filter lane opens up on your left and you can end up in a horrible no man's land between vehicles.

BremoreDave

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

City centre to Balbriggan is also lit most of the way. It's unlit between the Round Tower filling station and the Five Roads (except for a few lights at Murtagh's of Ballough. There are a few short unlit sections between the Applegreen filling station and Balriggan

From the Five Roads to Applegreen the road is pretty bumpy, and with the high winds recently there is also a fair bit of debris so make sure your lights are lighting up the road ahead really well.

AmberGold

Might be useful to take a fold up tyre with you if you have the space. I had a situation where a tiny thin piece of wire caused a puncture. I couldn't the cause of the puncture in the dark and put the tyre back on puncturing again.

doozerie

It's easy to assume that flashing lights make you more visible and therefore safer, but I've come to believe that they can make things worse. It depends on how bright the light is and the rate of flash. Personally, I find that very bright lights on a fast flash give me an instant headache and/or make me feel sick, and you don't want drivers doing what I have to do in that situation, which is look away until the light is no longer visible.

Some lights have a slow flash cycle, which I think can be useful and "safe", but I generally prefer non-flashing bright lights myself.

Rechargeable lights/batteries are very handy, and if you have access to a charger in work as well as at home then you can always be confident the batteries are in good shape - I tend to recharge mine once a week, at weekends, but if I forget then I can recharge them when I get into work on the Monday morning so they are ready to go for that evening.

Carawaystick

Just past Blakes Cross is where it gets dark. Theres a few harmless led streetlights to Newtowncorduff.
The surface improves from there to the 5roads, then it's crap but lit til the applegree Roundabout, and good again to Balrothery.

I find crossing the Liffey is the most hectic part of cycling in the city.

I use the buslane past the runway/airport, the cycle lanes lead you astray.
I use the tunnel southbound under the Hearse road to Donabate; but not the other 2. I use the road Northbound.

07Lapierre

doozerie wrote: »

I find that very bright lights on a fast flash give me an instant headache and/or make me feel sick, .

Me too! I cant put my front light on Flashing mode at all...its too annoying!

Wishbone Ash

doozerie wrote: »

...I find that very bright lights on a fast flash give me an instant headache and/or make me feel sick..

Do you mean meeting flashing lights on other bikes or having one on your own bike?

M.J.M.C

Great advice here, just to add
2 tubes - I used to only carry one, then one day got a flat in the rear...then a flat in the front. Long walk.......

Also watch out for man hole covers in the dark, ESPECIALLY when wet - those things are LETHAL!

loudymacloud

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

City centre to Donabate is lit for most of the way except for the Hearse Road. Take it handy through Donabate village as there's often some erratic driving especially around the entrance to Super Valu. There's also a large smooth man hole cover right on the bend at the old cemetery.

Erratic is a very nice way of phrasing the type of driving that goes on there sometimes :-)

That manhole can be lethal, have skidded on it a few times

RainyDay

M.J.M.C wrote: »

Also watch out for man hole covers in the dark, ESPECIALLY when wet - those things are LETHAL!

I had a little wobble on a manhole last night - good reminder to watch out for them in the wet.

howardmarks

So just to update this.
I got dropped off in Phoenix park this morning at 7.30am which being winter was still nice and dark. Even in the winter rainy dark morning it was the most enjoyable commute across the city to ballsbridge. Why anyone living within 10km of their work does anything but cycle is beyond me.
D4 to balbriggan is a pretty long old commute(I'd like to point out its about 4x my average spin)
The roads are terrible with rough potholey roads but most drivers seemed to give me decent space. Never felt unsafe.
Some unlit dark spots between swords and balbriggan but with a full moon it was a pleasant night & it was grand.
Bit crocked now as I may have overdone it by not building up to the distance.
Last 2km to home I swear I was giggling all the way. Too much air?

Thanks for everyone's input. Much appreciated.

Carawaystick

It took me a while to get used to commuting from Lusk to D12 (about a dozen spins before it stopped feeling like an expedition)

If you try this a few times over the winter, it'll be a pleasure come the spring.

Puggy

Well done on your first effort, build up the distance and days gradually. There are plenty of us doing similar journeys. Get used to fixing punctures in your sitting room, my worst night was last December at Keilys pub it was wet dark cold and windy: you should be able to do it in less than 5 minutes stopped, as you get cold really fast.

Also travel as light as you can, I only bring a bag once every 5 to 10 days.

tomasrojo

Puggy wrote: »

Get used to fixing punctures in your sitting room, my worst night was last December at Keilys pub it was wet dark cold and windy: you should be able to do it in less than 5 minutes stopped, as you get cold really fast.

Yeah, when I started doing a commute of an hour or more, with no option to switch to public transport in the event of mechanical problems or realistic option of walking, I practised removing and putting back tubes at home while watching TV. It didn't take long to get good enough at it that I wouldn't worry about getting a puncture on the road.

If you have puncture-resistant tyres, make sure you can get them off without too much worry. I had a combination of tyres (Armadillos) and wheels (slightly deeper rim than I'd had before) where every puncture became a disaster of strained or broken tyre levers, and I had to switch to gatorskins.

howardmarks

Puggy wrote: »

Well done on your first effort, build up the distance and days gradually. There are plenty of us doing similar journeys. Get used to fixing punctures in your sitting room, my worst night was last December at Keilys pub it was wet dark cold and windy: you should be able to do it in less than 5 minutes stopped, as you get cold really fast.

Also travel as light as you can, I only bring a bag once every 5 to 10 days.

I now think I need a pannier bag. Couldn't secure my backpack safely on the rack and it obscured my rear light so 40km with a backpack gives a bit of a pain in the neck.
Also im hoping I never get a puncture in the rear tyre as it took forever to get on the bike. Its supposedly puncture resistant. Its also a little hard. Should soften with time tho.
Also I think some route planning is in order. I think I added several km to the trip by not planning the exact route beforehand.

Anybody know the most effective way to navigate the larger roundabouts? Only thing that caused me any issues

tomasrojo

howardmarks wrote: »

I now think I need a pannier bag. Couldn't secure my backpack safely on the rack and it obscured my rear light so 40km with a backpack gives a bit of a pain in the neck.

Panniers are best for longer distances, in my experience.

howardmarks wrote: »

Also im hoping I never get a puncture in the rear tyre as it took forever to get on the bike.

Hope is not a strategy, as they say!
If it's that hard to get off, get a different brand. I speak from experience. My Armadillos never got easier to get off my touring bike (they'd been manageable on a hybrid), and they made every puncture an absolute torment (even though the punctures were pretty rare).

howardmarks wrote: »

Also I think some route planning is in order. I think I added several km to the trip by not planning the exact route beforehand.

I find the Dublin Street Guide (the blue book available for a tenner in most bookshops) pretty good for mapping routes. Obviously, Google Maps is free.

howardmarks wrote: »

Anybody know the most effective way to navigate the larger roundabouts? Only thing that caused me any issues

Cyclecraft by John Franklin is full of advice on how to negotiate roundabouts, gyratories, and lots of abominations like that. It's available in the public library system, if you don't feel like buying it.
(It's somewhat decried now for its anti-segregation stance, but the road advice is very good in it.)

doozerie

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Do you mean meeting flashing lights on other bikes or having one on your own bike?

Both. I generally don't use a flashing front light because it literally makes me feel ill, but I do often use rear flashing lights if the flash is not obnoxious. My preferred option for rear lights is a bright solid light plus a "gentle" flashing light as well - one of my better rear lights doesn't flash, as such, it ramps its brightness slowly up and down and I think it's very effective.

I used to encounter a cyclist on my commute fairly regularly last year, he had very bright front and rear lights both set on flashing. The effect (to me) was blinding, like encountering an oncoming car with full beams on. He was a shoaler, he'd move to the front at every red traffic light so I'd find myself in the full glare of his flashing rear light, every time I'd have to turn my head so I wasn't looking ahead as it gave me an instant migraine.

Even when he stopped behind me though, his flashing front light was so bright and the flash so invasive that I'd feel nauseous and I'd have to keep my eyes closed. No prizes for guessing which direction I was planning to direct my vomit if it arrived!

Carawaystick

howardmarks wrote: »

Anybody know the most effective way to navigate the larger roundabouts? Only thing that caused me any issues

If its the ones at Swords/Airport; I just go for it, and try keep momentum to get onto the roundabout moving so you'll be around before traffic coming around the roundabout gets there, same as in a car. So slow down early to be still rolling when a gap opens up.

I take the middle of the left lane approaching the roundabouts to stop cars trying to squeeze past.

You'll be going straight through most of these, so once you're passed the exit to the left you are grand.

There's a big thread in the dublin county north board about the Lissenhall junction over the M1....

Dono1975

Would a light of 375 lumens be considered a decent light for unlit country roads without blinding oncoming traffic ?

gctest50

if it's aimed down a bit it shouldn't blind anyone - make a little collar for it if it spills light everywhere

laser-death ray power is useful, there could be anything on the road out the country, it is a workplace more or less of farmers

Beasty

If you're cycling unlit country roads I find a helmet light particularly useful - can be used for "pothole spotting" as something a little higher to alert drivers from both directions of your presence. It also can act as a spare if your main light(s) malfunction.

The one I'm currently using is this, although this one has a longer runtime

Wishbone Ash

Beasty wrote: »

...I find a helmet light particularly useful - can be used for "pothole spotting" as something a little higher to alert drivers from both directions of your presence. It also can act as a spare if your main light(s) malfunction....

I have never used one but I'd imagine it would also be useful for dealing with punctures/mechanicals rather than trying to hold a light between one's knees.

TippinDub

Hi everyone

is a cycling commute from Greystones to Ballsbridge achievable on a regular basis?

And during the next few winter months?

TippinDub

Also I see some people and they have a kind of reflective thing on their spokes which light up the wheel in headlights

what exactly are these called and where could I get them?

howardmarks

TippinDub wrote: »

Also I see some people and they have a kind of reflective thing on their spokes which light up the wheel in headlights

what exactly are these called and where could I get them?

I saw them. Theyre available on amazon ebay. Cheap as chips too. Just type bike lights/spokes. Theres various types which vary from leds on the dust cap to others which attach to the spokes.
Next on my list as I like the Christmas tree look

howardmarks

TippinDub wrote: »

Hi everyone

is a cycling commute from Greystones to Ballsbridge achievable on a regular basis?

And during the next few winter months?

At 26km its definitely doable. I think , someone may confirm, but its quite hilly so it depends on how fond of hills you are

Wishbone Ash

howardmarks wrote: »

At 26km its definitely doable. I think , someone may confirm, but its quite hilly so it depends on how fond of hills you are

The only real hill is coming out of Greystones. After that it relatively flat. Easily doable. There's a few Boardsies regularly doing much longer commutes such as Drogheda to South Dublin.

RainyDay

TippinDub wrote: »

Also I see some people and they have a kind of reflective thing on their spokes which light up the wheel in headlights

what exactly are these called and where could I get them?

LED Lights for Bike Wheels in Choice of Colour for €4.99 - 69% Off - https://www.groupon.ie/deals/gg-groupon-goods-global-gmb-h-864-469?utm_campaign=UserReferral&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=deal_ita