Buddy up
Strength comes in numbers and that’s particularly the case at night. It reduces the chances of getting lost and you have an extra pair of hands to call upon in the event of a mechanical. Idle chat makes winter miles fly by and the added camaraderie of riding with a pal or club will also likely see you out on the road more in winter.
Of course, it’s not always possible to buddy up. Time is limited – that’s likely why you’re riding at night, after all – and life’s demands dictate a rider’s training schedule. Some cyclists also prefer to ride on their own but if you’re heading out into the night on a solo ride tell someone where you’re going and what time you expect to be back.
The LiveTrack feature on Garmin’s Bluetooth-enabled 510 and 810 computers is a useful tool, allowing the rider to share a link with friends and family which tracks their progress on a map, while there are smart phone apps which do a similar job. On that note, always carry a mobile phone in case of an emergency.
