I agree with what you are saying re being potentially more visible at night.Inwood wrote:I've never done this ride before but its calling me, calling me... I normally only commute and hate getting up early in the morning, so I was wondering what this ride (just to nebo, not glorious) would be like at night? I figure the road will be very quiet and I have very good lights so will be pretty visible. (My theory is if you have lights, and its really dark, you are more visible compared to driving where there's lots of other light sources around). I think I'd have to mount my extra light that's got a range of 200-400m though, dragging the extra weight up the hill would add to the exercise... Or am I crazy?
But the downside is motorists at night don't 'expect' to see cyclists on that road, they may be more tired, or they may have vision issues that compromise their night vision. The other risk is wildlife. I rode Samford Valley moderately at night when living out there, and owls chasing bugs in strong headlights, plovers congregating on the road, possums wombats and bush rats crossing the road, and tree debris on the road during/after wind, are all risks for rural night riding at speed.