Paul Hunter Posted March 17, 2015 Posted March 17, 2015 We recently did an great night ride with some friends doing the 36One next month. We left Broadacres at 7pm and got back just before 2am in the morning covering just over 100kms. It was slow going in some places when we hit the single track but all in all a great fun adventure. Never once did we feel unsafe during the ride. We did have a close encounter with a drunk woman on the single track around the cradle but it was a Friday night ;-) It was an experiencing riding that long at night. the only thing I would change is maybe doing this on a Saturday night as got tired towards the end of the ride after a long working week. We all used extremelights of 1000 lumens and above for the ride. The lights we used half power for most of the time except for single track and down hills. Plenty light. We also had close to full moon so that also helped. Here is our route to give you an idea https://www.strava.com/activities/264083356
extremelights Posted March 18, 2015 Posted March 18, 2015 I have yet to see the point in having super bright light. I like lights with more dispersal and moderate brightness. My last ride at Jonker's was about 1hour 20min. I did not charge the light before riding and ride before that was at least 2 months before. Honestly never been unfortunate enough to run out of power but it does sometimes make me wonder what if....When I get back from holiday and ride more often again at night I might have to invest in spare battery. I must say i agree... one doesnt have to have a 5000 Lumen light (if they are out there). As most overstate their lumen and state the LED's capacity. I have used most of our lights extensively and must say that you dont need more than 2000 lumen, yes if you ride downhill fast and need allot of light for your safety then surely get a light that throws a further beam to appose to wider. I also ride on Mid till i really need the bright light... its amazing how night turns into dark when you do need it. This morning again i had a lekka ride and thought about all the scary things i read here...hehe.. made my ride ever so slow this morning !
extremelights Posted March 25, 2015 Posted March 25, 2015 Hey guys... just to mention our new range of cycle lights are now fully ready for ordering! Lets keep the night riding adventures alive!
SteveJhb Posted March 25, 2015 Posted March 25, 2015 Anyone else doing an evening ride at Modderfontein tonight? I believe they are open to 10pm every Wednesday night?
Kyle Petersen Posted March 25, 2015 Posted March 25, 2015 Im keen too.How does it work?Is there a set route for night rides at modders
Cois Posted March 25, 2015 Posted March 25, 2015 Would love to test my lights on a night ride some time. After the wedding. I promise. Had a light (green) made by a Hubber if I am not wrong, that I used for the night rides in the past (lets say 5 years ago) So technology was not even close to what we have today. Used that light and a Petzl light for the head lamp. One thing that I loved was to ride in thunder storms at night. Just the rush as the lightning licks the ground few meters away ending in one huge booming symphony of sounds. Miss the days of being able to ride at night. I see there is a new Dark ride at Rosemary hill on some some days. Will join in one night. Sounds like a load of fun.
Spinnekop Posted March 25, 2015 Posted March 25, 2015 Hey guys... just to mention our new range of cycle lights are now fully ready for ordering! Lets keep the night riding adventures alive! I missed that introduction price on your integrated light.Still moerig about it.
PieterJvR Posted March 25, 2015 Posted March 25, 2015 Anyone else doing an evening ride at Modderfontein tonight? I believe they are open to 10pm every Wednesday night? Haven't done a night ride in about a month, but as far as I can remember they are open until 22:30 - but perhaps just confirm at the boom Im keen too.How does it work?Is there a set route for night rides at modders Modders are open every Wednesday until late - 22:30 as far as I know. You can ride any route you want. If you want to do a night race - the over the moon series at Modders started again this year, it is the first Wednesday of every month, cost R80 (includes entrance, boerie and beer) - this is a set route of +/- 22-25km. There is a thread somewhere about it Edit: Found the link - https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/148137-over-the-moon-series-modders/
SteveJhb Posted March 25, 2015 Posted March 25, 2015 Awesome. I am going to just do my usual 20km green route... I'll move onto the longer routes in daylight I think. I'll probably start around 6 or 6:30 so I will go from dusk to night during the ride.
Stretched@Birth Posted March 25, 2015 Posted March 25, 2015 If it was not for the personal safety aspect, I would ride at night a whole lot more often. It really is most enjoyable.Join us on Wednesday nights, we ride at Thaba from 18:30, until 8ish. Comfortable pace, nothing too hectic!
RocknRolla Posted March 26, 2015 Posted March 26, 2015 Join us on Wednesday nights, we ride at Thaba from 18:30, until 8ish. Comfortable pace, nothing too hectic! Thanx, will check it out when logistics allow
extremelights Posted March 26, 2015 Posted March 26, 2015 I missed that introduction price on your integrated light.Still moerig about it. PM sent
EcoKimmo Posted March 30, 2015 Posted March 30, 2015 We recently did an great night ride with some friends doing the 36One next month. We left Broadacres at 7pm and got back just before 2am in the morning covering just over 100kms. It was slow going in some places when we hit the single track but all in all a great fun adventure. Never once did we feel unsafe during the ride. We did have a close encounter with a drunk woman on the single track around the cradle but it was a Friday night ;-) It was an experiencing riding that long at night. the only thing I would change is maybe doing this on a Saturday night as got tired towards the end of the ride after a long working week. We all used extremelights of 1000 lumens and above for the ride. The lights we used half power for most of the time except for single track and down hills. Plenty light. We also had close to full moon so that also helped. Here is our route to give you an idea https://www.strava.com/activities/264083356HeyHow many people were you? We are looking at doing a night ride this weekend, also doing the 36one, but a tad nervous riding anywhere in JHB at night. Just 2 of us...
Paul Hunter Posted March 30, 2015 Posted March 30, 2015 HeyHow many people were you? We are looking at doing a night ride this weekend, also doing the 36one, but a tad nervous riding anywhere in JHB at night. Just 2 of us...We were 4 in total. I believe because we did the cradle part first by the time we got to the other places it was late and never saw another person. Even coming back via the farm we only saw one taxi on the road. I was also nervous before the ride but it all panned out well for us. Maybe something we do once or twice a year. Will only do in numbers, not that numbers guarantees safety.
extremelights Posted March 31, 2015 Posted March 31, 2015 Great to hear about all the rides !!! And yes safety is never guaranteed in numbers but surely makes it a bit safer. Its also nice to have these rides in the week as friends can just enjoy riding their bikes and forget about the stressful work days! I found that i enjoy the night rides more in the week than on weekends, weekends im on my road bike doing longer rides!
GoLefty!! Posted March 31, 2015 Posted March 31, 2015 We would do night rides at Tokai twice a week before the fire - going to miss it terribly. twice a week since 2004. always had proper bike lights so never had a questionable moment out on the trail. Seen some stunning sights. Comet Hale-Bopp from the Tokai mast, plenty of nocturnal nightlife like Karacal and porcupines. PS: SInce when are vendors allowed to advertise so aggressively in general chat area? I thought there was a special area for them?
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