Mountain bike night riding – could this be for YOU? Would this be a fun way to extend your riding season? Find out what you need to stay safe on a dawn/dusk or night time mountain bike ride. This is a simple guide for first time night riders so you can gain the confidence to get out there and give it a go
Supporting you to SMILE when you ride.
Lights
A really important part of your whole night riding experience is having the right type of lights. The more powerful the light the more expensive it will be. A good starting set up of lights for night riding would be
- front handlebar 2000+ lumens wide beam to illuminate the trail
- along with a front helmet 800+ lumens to illuminate corners, changes in terrain – this light will track where your eyes look to
You want easy, flexible attachment options so you can get the lights on/off, move them when or if you need to.
Having a variety of modes so you can adjust the light according to whats happening e.g. less light to climb up hills, less light to ride through town, to the tracks. This will increase your overall ride time. When lights are used at full strength – as you will probably do when heading down the hill – it uses the battery power up.
Following on from this point… you need to have a fairly good idea of how long you will have light so you can plan a ride that matches to your light time. Planning ahead if your battery needs to be charged, carrying spare batteries if this is how your light is powered.
You will also need a rear light preferably set on a steady mode so your friends can judge how far in front of them you are (flashing lights attract attention but can be hard for distance estimating).
Front bike light and helmet light to light the trail and the surrounds
For more on LIGHTS see The ‘Right’ Lights for Mountain Biking at Night
Controling your temperature.
Go easy on layers when heading up – try not to sweat too much. Avoid wearing a bag that will trap moisture if possible – basically try not to make your clothing damp or wet as this will make you cold when you head into the fun downhill part of your ride.
Try to add warmth to places that suffer in colder conditions – fingers/toes/neck/head. These additions are a great way for you to feel protected and we would recommend thermal fabrics or merino.
Take or wear a jacket that will block cold airflow. The air around you will not be warm, in winter at night time, in New Zealand.
For more on KEEPING WARM see Bike at a comfortable temperature – use layers
Safety.
Tell someone where you are going
Know what the weather is supposed to be doing – you can’t see any changes in the weather at night time or in limited visibility.
Keep to tracks you know – now is not the time to try something new. If you are nervous about night riding for the first time it can be a good idea to start in some light/twilight. This helps with your confidence and you can progress to darkness.
Get warm as soon as you get home – out of any damp or wet clothes, into a shower
Your bike riding success is different to others… use our stories and support, get the right solutions.
Ride More Places
Bike Gear Stories
Women and families learning ...
Buying Guides
Solution Finder
Types of Riding Stories
Support and inspire other riders and families to ride
Share your riding outings, adventures and experiences on our quick and easy question and answer forms. Join us in helping others ride bikes. All entries receive a free shipping coupon and go into our seasonal prize draw.
goRide supporting women and families to SMILE when you ride
Women
Padded Bike Underwear
Pants for Biking
Tops for Biking
Jackets & Over Trousers for Biking
Riding Clothing for Larger Sizes
Warmth Accessories
Bike Saddles
Bike Helmets
Mountain Bike Helmets
Bike Gloves
Protective Padding
Bike Bells
Hydration
Handlebar Grips
Kids & Youth
Padded Bike Underwear
Bike Helmets
Mountain Bike Helmets
Riding Clothing
Jackets for Biking/Outdoors
Protective Padding
Bike Gloves
Bike Lights
Bike Bells
Handlebar Grips
Bike Saddle
Bike Locks
Hydration
Family
Ride with a baby/ 1 year old
Ride with a 2-6 year old
Ride with a 4 + year old – on their own bike
Full Range Kids Bike Seats – Attached or Towed
Create a Family Biking Holiday
Ride More Places with Kids
Men
Padded Bike Underwear
Bike Helmets
Mountain Bike Helmets
Bike Saddles
Bike Tops,Jackets & Over Trousers
Bike Gloves
Protective Padding
Handlebar Grips
Bike Bell
Be comfortable & confident
Successfully Ride an E-Bike
Beginner Rider
Heavy Riders – Enjoy Biking
Be Comfortable on your Bike Seat
Riding in Cooler Weather
Riding in Wet Conditions
Be Visible on the Bike
Enjoy a Biking Holiday
‘Fun Up’ the Kids Bike/Biking
goUnders- Padded Bike Underwear
Women, Mens, Youth & Kids
SHOP goUnders.
Clothing & Bags
Padded Bike Pants & Underwear
Pants & Shorts for Biking
Bike Tops
Bike Jackets
Over Trousers for Biking
Headbands & Neck Warmers for Biking
Bags, Baskets & Panniers for Biking
Rider Safety & Protection
Bike Helmets
Mountain Bike Helmets
Bike Gloves
Protective Padding
Bike Lights
Bike Bells
First Aid & Personal Care
Hydration
Bike Tow Ropes
Bike Parts & Care
Bike Saddles
Handlebar Grips
Bike Locks
Bike Carriers
Bike & Chain Cleaning
Bike Tools & Tool Kits to Carry
Kids Bike Seats & Bikes
Rear Kids Bike Seats
Mid Kids Bike Seats
Front Kids Bike Seats
Towing Kids who ride their own Bike
Bike Trailers for Kids
Kids Balance Bikes
HIRE Kids Bike Seats
Be Comfortable & Confident
Comfort on your Bike Seat
Be Visible on the Bike
Beginner Riders
Get Started – Ride with a baby
Heavy Riders – Enjoy Biking
Riding in Cooler Weather
Riding in Wet Conditions
‘Fun Up’ the Kids Bike/Biking
Bike Path Riding
Beginner to Fitness
Multi-Day
With Kids of all Ages
Kids Riding Bikepaths
Multi-Day with Kids
Bike Path Riding Guide
Ride more Bikepaths
Mountain Biking
Women Beginner to Intermediate
Men Beginner to Intermediate
Multi-Day
With Kids of all ages
Kids Mountain Biking
Multi-Day with Kids
Mountain Biking Guide
Ride more Mountain Bike Trails
Riding in Traffic
Be Visible in Traffic
Commuting
With Kids of all Ages
Kids Riding in Traffic
E – Biking
E-Biking in Traffic
E-Biking on Bikepaths
E-Biking on MTB Trails
A Biking Holiday
E-Biking Guide
Multi-Day Riding
Multi-Day on Bike Paths
Multi-Day on MTB Trails
Multi-Day with Kids on Bike Paths
Multi-Day with Kids on MTB Trails
Multi-Day Guide
A Biking Holiday
Family Biking Holiday
Ride more Multi-Day Rides
Family Riding
Full Range Kids Bike Seats – Attached or Towed
On Bikepaths with Kids
MTB with Kids
In Traffic with Kids
Family Biking Holiday
Family Riding Guide
Ride More Places with Kids
Kids Attached or Towed Buying Guides
Rear Kids Bike Seat
Mid Mount Kids Bike Seat
Front Kids Bike Seat
Towing Kids who ride their own bikes
Kids Bike Trailers
Kids & Youth Buying Guides
Kids Bike Helmets
Kids Riding Clothing
Kids Padded Bike Pants
Kids Padded Protection
Kids Handlebar Grips
Kids Balance Bike
Comfort on the Bike Buying Guides
Womens Bike Saddle
Mens Bike Saddle
Padded Bike Pants
Bike Jackets
Carrying Gear
Handlebar Grip
Hydration
Rider Safety Buying Guides
Bike Helmet
Mountain Bike Helmet
Protective Padding
Be Visible
Bike Glove
Bike Light
Mountain Bike Light
First Aid & Personal Care
Gear & Care for Bikes Buying Guides
Bike Carriers
Bike Cleaning
Bike Locks
Chain Cleaning and Lube
goUnders- Padded Bike Underwear
Women, Mens, Youth & Kids
SHOP goUnders.
Women & Families Learning
Comfort on your Bike Seat
Clothing for Biking
Family Biking
Improve your Riding
Carrying Gear
Care for ‘you’
Care for your Bike
Ride More Places
Ride more Bikepaths
Ride more NZ Cycle Trails
Ride more Mountain Bike Trails
Ride more Multi-Day Rides
Ride more Places with Kids
Riding Gear
Bike Helmets
Bike Saddles
Padded Bike Underwear & Pants
Bike Gloves
Bike Jackets
Protective Padding
Bike Locks
Bike Lights
Bike Tools to Carry
Handlebar Grips
Bike and Chain Cleaning
Kids Bike Seats & Bikes
Kids Bike Trailer
Towing kids who ride their own bike
Rear Kids Bike Seats
Mid Mount Kids Bike Seats
Front Kids Bike Seats
Balance Bike
Types of Riding
Bikepath Riding
Family Riding
E-Bike Riding
goUnders- Padded Bike Underwear
Women, Mens, Youth & Kids
SHOP goUnders.