Bigridegreat british night rides

Don't let a bit of cold and dark put you off - there's still plenty of fun to be had riding your bike on a winter's night

- By Max Darkins

Now the clocks have gone back, there are fewer hours of daylight for us to ride in. The good news is that missions in the dark are great fun, lights are better than ever (check out our group test in MBUK 412 for the best options), the trails are largely empty and those strange noises in the bushes will only help you to ride faster! So, if you've never tried night riding, why not give it a go this year? Here are three routes that make the most of the darkness to whet your appetite.

First up is the Lake District, although we're not going to recommend you head up a mountain. Instead, we have a great low-level ride on some amazing trails that are usually very busy but should now be deserted. Our route takes you straight out of Ambleside - ideal if you arrive on a Friday evening for an MTB weekend away and want to make the most of your time in the Lakes - and across dark hillsides, weaving between peaks and moonlit tarns, before returning to the plentiful accommodation, pub and restaurant options in town.

Next are the rolling chalk hills of the South Downs, which feel even bigger at night, with huge skies and people replaced by wildlife. While it's a short route, this one makes the most of the wide variety of riding in the area with a huge mix of trails and scenery. Rolling chalk tracks catch the light of the moon, wide-open grassy descents have you plummeting blindly towards the sea and there's even spooky forest singletrack to explore. There are, of course, great pubs to call in at, and even some quirky accommodation in a lighthouse for those wanting to stay the night. Just watch out for the stealthy sheep, badgers and deer that lurk in the shadows, waiting to dart under your wheels!