Riding a mountain bike in the dark

[twostrings]

With all the talk about using bikes to get back into hunting country I got to thinking "How do you ride it in the dark?" Do you ride primarily on paved roads? Trails? Off road? Do you mount a headlight to the front? Does this spook animals or does it even seem to bother them?

Thanks,
mh

[wislnwings]

I mounted two headlights on my bike.  I ride off-road and as long as I take my time and am not looking to win a race, I have not had any problems.  I do about 90% of my turkey hunting using the bike to get away from easier access areas.

[ron w]

There's your answer......

[wapiti792]

yep, 'cept I use one. It is a little spooky when you are riding and a deer runs right out in front of you or a car gets too close. Lights are good and I can't think they bother game any more than a flashlight.

[Jim Keller]

I ride with a headlamp on. Mine has a red lens you can flip down so you don't spook game.

[AZ_Shooter]

I use a light mounted on the handlebars and a headlamp, that way the trail is always illuminated and I can look where I want and have some light.

[dpowers311]

I think a handlebar light and a head lamp would be best. Take it slow and easy or you might find what it is like to fly over the handle bars. Helmets are used for a reason.
Dave

[Earl Jeff]

head lamp

[motorhead7963]

I have used a mtn bike the last 2 seasons to get to a couple different spots that I frequent. One day road right up on 3 muley does in the middle of the day to within 30yds they didn't even spook right away. Had it been hunting season mighta had a shot!!! funny thing is I was riding on a road covered in oak tree leaves making all kinds of crunching sound with the tires didn't seem to bother them too much (but then again they mighta known it wasn't hunting season!!!!)

[motorhead7963]

forgot to add I use a bike mounted light and a headlight!!

[elknutz]

Head lamp for me, with a spare in the pack.  Its only spooky when I see skunks up close or ride over a snake.  It really doesn't seem to bother game much at all.  Im mostly on logging roads, usually closed to motorized roads.

[Brian Krebs]

forest service is doing a lot of trail maintaining this year with bike riders in mind.
 Keep the rubber side down  

[Overspined]

I will ride in the dark almost anything, even single track, but I am an experienced mountain biker too. In CO I ride in and out in the dark on a single track. I wear that flashlight the wensel's sell on my headband, it lights up the world! Well worth it and the batteries last almost a whole season of elk/deer hunting.

My bow is a take down, so I strap it to my fanny pack, and then just wear the whole thing. You have to dress down and carry some clothing though because you will get warm in a hurry. I just take my time and use caution, walking where it makes sense due to conditions and not wanting to fall on my quiver of b-heads.

[Overspined]

Last year in the daylight I rode right up on a mountain lion in the trail! Got about 15 yds from her.

[Jack Skinner]

Go to Performance.com or Bike Nashbar, just a couple of sites you can find cycle specific gear. They sell great lights to use on your bike. You can very easy break the bank on some of the systems. Do your homework on how much you will use it and for how long. You can get some good system for a reasonable price.

[Sarge5706]

Question, but on topic....How do you carry your bow while hunting if you are on a bike?  I would like to use my bike to get to the archery range but have been reluctant to do so due to this challenge.
Thank You

[DaxE]

While I have never used a bike to get to my hunting spots the headlamp and headlight on bars is the best method for riding at night. I like more of a flood light on the bars and a spot light on my head while doing this.

Hope this helps,
Dax

[huntin_sparty]

Originally posted by Sarge5706:
Question, but on topic....How do you carry your bow while hunting if you are on a bike?  I would like to use my bike to get to the archery range but have been reluctant to do so due to this challenge.
Thank You

I use a ATV handlebar mounted gun/bow holder on my bike.

[sagebrush]

I would like to find a good way to haul meat on a bicycle. Gary

[Chris Surtees]

Get a Main Beam (Fenix) light or two and some Fenix bike mounts.

By far the best system I have used. Also can take it off and use it going to and from your stand or for tracking.

All in one!