Riding in the evenings

[Vikki89]

How long do you think we have left to be able to ride in the evenings?
I got to the yard a bit later than usual last night, clipped one pony and rode out not sure what time it was, but can remember saying we have plenty of time for a quick ride up the road and back before the light goes, I was wrong we got caught out in bad light.
I was riding Mystic and leading Monty (3 1/2 yr old), Mystic was naughty, shot off twice spooking at things and Monty was as good as gold (mum was surprised i held onto them both), couldn't believe it the 17yr old messed about and the 3yr old didn't (was pleased with him though).
I will not be going out at that time again, lesson learnt.

 

[Kat]

Not long if you are on the roads!

Buy yourself some lights if you tend to ride out in the evening just in case you are caught out, and of course bags of hi-viz.

lights can be strapped to your leg or stirrup and make you legal to ride after sunset (although it isn't very safe).

 

[Vikki89]

I was wearing my hi-viz, I wouldn't choose to ride out in bad light on the roads or not, it just got dark so quickly.

 

[Chestnut mare]

Yes I have noticed the difference too, I think only about 2-3 weeks before it will be too dark to ride after work. Hi viz is a must.

 

[narkymare]

novice here - what lights are you talkign about?

 

[Moggy in Manolos]

I think only about 2-3 weeks before it will be too dark to ride after work.

Yes I reckon about 3 weeks too, really not long left
That is the one thing I really do not like, the darkness in winter, rubbish

 

[Santa_Claus]

I already can't ride out after work as I don't get to the yard till near 7pm due to my 65mile commute. Thankfully have a floodlit school as otherwise I would never ride in winter!

 

[Vikki89]

I was properly dark at 7.40 tonight luckily have a lit outdoor school so looks like hacking is now only for weekends.

Im sure it doesn't usually get dark that early this time of the year.

 

[SecretSquirrell379]

personally I wouldn't want to be out much after 6.30pm on a cloudy evening at the moment, it will be 5pm when the clocks go back

 

[noblesteed]

Yep we've had to cut out hacking short, Got out tonight by 5.15 and had a quick blast on the moor but rushed to be back home by 6.30.

Also beware of the low sun, I had a near miss the other day when it was sunny and a driver nearly didn't see me despite my hi-viz.

I tend to expect it to be too dark once we get to October half term don't know what I'm going to do this winter as I work full time and have no school/lights. Last year I had a sharer who rode a couple of weekdays but she is no longer with us.