Just because the sun has set, it doesn't mean you have to stop cycling. With good lights and the right attitude, you can extend your outdoor riding time well into the night. Cycling on a clear evening under a full moon is an exhilarating experience. Here are 6 tips for night riding.

1. Lights

You will obviously need good lighting. Fortunately, these days you can get very bright, long-lasting lights without spending a fortune. LED technology has transformed cycling lights. This is a far cry from the days of wildly extravagant bicycle lights.

If you're heading out onto unlit country roads, you'll need a front light bright enough to illuminate the road and reveal potholes and other hidden hazards. Also, make sure your rear light is bright. Both lights' run times should exceed your planned ride time. It's wise to carry a few small backup lights in case your main rear light inexplicably fails. It's better to be safe than sorry. Obviously, check beforehand that your lights' run time exceeds the length of your planned ride.

2. Reflective Clothing

While lighting is obviously crucial for night riding, don't underestimate the value of reflective clothing. Reflective clothing that offers full 360-degree reflectivity is easily available on the market now, and the options for reflective clothing have greatly improved in the past few years. A study from a few years ago showed that the up-and-down motion of pedaling can catch a driver's eye more than a large reflective stripe on the back, so also consider reflective pedals, overshoes, or ankle bands. Also, consider adding reflective tape to your bike as an appropriate measure.

3. Plan Your Route

Depending on what you want to get from your ride experience, whether it's a structured training session or simply logging miles, planning ahead and setting a route in your head or on your computer will be a useful aid. Nighttime is not the time for a three-hour long, steady ride, so save that for the weekend and instead think about a short, focused session for a truly effective one-hour ride. Choose a short loop with hills that you can ride repeatedly to provide some structure to your riding. Riding a short route close to home is ideal in case something happens. Also, I think it's very important to choose roads carefully and avoid those with poor surface roughness or potholes.

4. Ride with a Partner or Join a Group

Riding with a friend or a group is a good way to approach night riding. Having a regular ride with a club or group of friends is a good way to provide the incentive and motivation you need to head out into the dark. There's safety in numbers, and more help is at hand in case of a mechanical issue.

5. Prepare Your Tools

Fixing mechanicals in the dark isn't much fun, so the first step before every night ride is to ensure your bike is in top mechanical order, minimizing the risk of something failing when you're far from home. Carry enough tools to fix the most likely mechanical failures, from a spare inner tube to a well-stocked multi-tool with a chain breaker. I carry the same spare kit as I do for a day ride: two spare inner tubes, a tire boot, a reliable pump, and a good multi-tool. Don't forget your cell phone in case the worst happens and you need to call home. I always give my bike a quick visual check before riding at night, making sure tires and brakes are in good condition, as it's very important to spot problems beforehand.

6. Enjoy It Enough

Remember to enjoy night riding. Yes, it's easy to be intimidated by the dark. Starting a two-hour solo ride in the dark from the comfort of a warm home can be a strange and daunting experience. However, night riding can be exhilarating, with fewer distractions, and often, depending on the route, the roads can be quieter after the rush of commuters has subsided. Hearing strange noises from over your shoulder might even make you ride a little faster…