I recently took part in a 24-hour cycle event - starting at 10am and finishing the next day at 10am. We could sleep, but the strongest cyclists carried on through the night. This was in the UK in March. The weather was actually perfect: clear blue skies during the day, but the night was very cold - hovering just above freezing.
Here's what I learned.
Hills Are Your Friend at Night
This surprised me. I actually looked forward to climbs at night because they warmed me up quickly. Five minutes of effort on a hill and the cold faded. The downside? Descending was miserable - the wind chill on a fast descent after a sweaty climb cuts right through you. You arrive at the bottom colder than before you started the climb.
1. Warm Clothing - More Than You Think
Even with five layers of relatively thin cycling clothing - a long-sleeve base layer, a short-sleeve jersey, a long-sleeve spring jersey, and two gilets - I was still cold. Cycling-specific layers are designed for airflow, which is exactly what you don't want at 3am in near-freezing temperatures.
In hindsight, a proper insulated cycling jacket is essential for overnight events in the UK spring. I'm looking at the Galibier Colombiere Pro Jacket for next time - something with real insulation, not just windproofing. The weight penalty is worth it when you're shivering on a B-road at midnight.
Lesson: Plan your clothing for the coldest hour of the night, not the average temperature. If the forecast says 2°C at 4am, dress for 2-4 degrees colder.
2. Hand and Foot Warmers
These were one of my best decisions. I used disposable heat pads - one in each shoe and one in each glove. They last 5-8 hours and make a genuine difference to comfort and morale.
The downside: they're single-use and not recyclable, which isn't great. Rechargeable electric hand warmers exist, but I haven't tried them for cycling yet. For now, the disposables are a worthwhile trade-off for a night event.
Tip: Activate them 15-20 minutes before you need them - they take a while to reach full temperature.
3. Insulated Water Bottle
I used a bottle with an insulating gel layer (not vacuum-insulated, but better than a standard bidon). It kept my water warm for nearly two hours, which made a huge difference at night. Cold water when you're already freezing is the last thing you want.
A warm drink - even just warm water with an electrolyte tab - is surprisingly good for morale in the small hours. If your event has feed stations, ask for hot water to fill your bottle.
4. Protect Your Eyes
By the time I got home, my eyes were red and sore. I suspect wind chill was the culprit - I wear normal glasses, not wrap-around cycling glasses, so cold air was hitting my eyes from the sides for hours.
For next time, I'll either wear wrap-around glasses or at least a pair with side shields. Clear lenses are fine for night riding - you don't need tinted lenses, just wind protection.
5. Neck Warmers - Take Two
Those tube-style neck scarves (buffs) were brilliant. I used two: one around my neck to stop wind going down my collar, and a second pulled up over my nose and mouth on descents. The simple act of breathing through a thin layer of fabric warms the air before it hits your lungs, and it keeps your face from going numb on fast downhills.
At less than a fiver each and weighing almost nothing, they're the best value piece of night-riding kit I can recommend.
6. You'll Be Slower at Night - Plan for It
Night riding requires more concentration. You're watching for potholes, gravel, the edge of the road, and anything your lights don't quite catch in time. Even with a strong front light, your usable field of vision is a fraction of what it is in daylight.
The result: you naturally ride slower, and you should. If you're planning an overnight event with PitStopper's clock time feature, lower your average speed estimate for the night sections - perhaps 20-30% slower than your daytime pace. It'll just take a bit longer to do it safely, and your finish time estimate will be more realistic.
Lesson: Don't plan night sections at the same pace as daytime. Budget extra time and you'll arrive at feed stations on schedule rather than chasing a target in the dark.
The Wildlife
One unexpected highlight of riding through the night - the wildlife. In the quiet of the countryside, with only your lights and the sound of your tyres, you see things you'd never spot in daylight. I saw badgers, foxes, hedgehogs, and rabbits - all going about their nocturnal business, mostly unbothered by a lone cyclist passing through.
It's a reminder of why we do this. Not for the Strava time. For moments like a fox watching you from a field gate at 2am under a sky full of stars.
Planning Night Sections with PitStopper
If you're planning an overnight event, PitStopper can help you prepare the route:
- Search for 24-hour fuel stations along your route - one of the few places open at 3am where you can warm up and refuel
- Find public toilets - facilities are limited at night, so knowing locations in advance matters
- Use clock time to see when you'll hit each section - plan your warmest clothing for the coldest window (typically 3-5am)
- Mark feed stations as custom waypoints so your GPS alerts you as you approach
Tip: Load your GPX into PitStopper and use the clock time feature with your planned start time. You'll see exactly which sections you'll be riding in darkness, so you can plan lighting, clothing changes, and feed stops accordingly.
