There is no better way to hone your feel for the trail than to venture out after dark. So out we went, four strong, onto the side of Green Peak.

As the sun went down we donned lighting gear and our world was reduced to whatever light our lamps provided, and the sounds of the increasing darkness.

Of course guys being guys we immediately began to compare the strength, breadth, and depth of our respective lights. Hands down winner was my son’s light, the inexpensive but effective NiteRider MiNewt 350 (made in the USA it says on the package).

Keep in mind that the two other guys in the group were using much older lights that tend to cast a yellowish haze instead of the LED blue of the NiteRider. My own light was a Sigma Power LED which was less expensive than the MiNewt and came with enough accessories -always a bad sign, to sink a ship, none of which helps to keep the light on the handlebars when the trail gets rough.

Anyhow, the MiNute 350 did a good job lighting up the trail illuminating not only what is directly ahead on the trail, but also what lies to either side. Having good light coverage definitely helps a rider to have the confidence needed to let it rip when descending down a mountain trail in the pitch dark.

My Sigma light -the one with all the accessories, did light up the trail but the beam was a touch too narrow, perhaps better suited to checking tonsils or the inside of a 6” culvert. Even so, it does make for some exciting riding and you’ll know where you are going… when you get there; if that makes any sense.

Bottom line? Riding at night is a blast, when you have a good light. Whatever light you choose make sure it has sufficient power and distributes it’s beam proportionally along and across the trail.