December is probably our favorite time to ride our mountain bike in Thailand, the temperature is not so high, the only downturn is that it gets quickly dark. Most mountain bikes are not very well equipped to ride in the darkness. On the good side, those who have yet to try a evening ride are missing one of the sport's most exciting experiences.
Why ride in the dark? The top reason is that it gets so quickly dark in Thailand this time of the year. The sun sets this time of the year in only a few minutes.
Many enthusiasts throw on headlights to extend the weekend rides when the days shorten in December. You don't have to be a great bike handler to enjoy riding in the dark. If you can ride during the day, you can take on the darkness.
Do you need a expensive lighting system?
You can ride with a flashlight taped to your helmet, but your confidence and overall experience will be enhanced if you acquire a official off-road lighting system. True night riders own two systems, one as a backup for their main headlight. Borrow your buddy's backup for you first ride, so you first try will be the real deal. If you choose to buy a lighting system, prepare to spend a minimum of a few thousand Baht for a good system, rechargeable, handlebar-mount LED light. Expect to pay upward of 4,000 Baht for the more professional sets. LED (light-emitting diode) lamps are the best value because the cost less, have long burn times and can take a beating.
Do not ride alone in the Dark!
Never ever ride alone on a trail, always ride with a friend. At the very least, if something happens you not alone. Second, company is helpful should you flat or have a mechanical and need another hand to direct light in the right spot. Should you suffer a lighting failure, or crash off the trail, the possibility that you could walk or ride out without a light is remote. Worse, if you end up in a ravine or unconscious in the brush without a light to signal your location, you had better hope that your rescuers have a good dog.
On the public road?
If you ride on the public road after sun set, do everything possible to make yourself more visible to other road users, wear bright colors, wear a reflecting vest, mount a rear red-colored reflector (make sure it is clean after your trial-ride), and mount a rear red-blinking light... Additional side reflectors or lights, from reflectors and lights... Lights that blink seem to attract attention more quickly. Think this a car traveling at 120km/h travels in 1 second 2 kilometer, a car driver has only seconds to see you...
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