Philadelphia Mountain Biking Association - Forums

Hey everyone, been lurking for a while now, but as of today I’m your newest member.

I’m interested in riding at night and I’m waiting on a light that’s backordered.  In the meantime, I’ve been out about 3 times over the last two weeks using amateur lighting (silly headlamp and mini-flashlight on the bar – you can laugh).  I start when it’s light or just turning dusk and when I finish up it is dark. 

First time out I see 3 doe and they are either in the woods or just off the trail.  Second ride, I see a couple more that don’t scoot away till I’m 15 yards from them (I just came off the demo trail and crossed Wise Mill road going towards Bells Mill heading up the little incline where the apartments are).  Same night near Andorra I see a two more small ones 10 feet off the trail and I come right up on them.  I stop and check them out for about 5 seconds before they take off.  Tonight it starts getting crazy… I see one doe at same place by the apartments right on the trail again standing there looking at me as I’m climbing towards it and she doesn’t move till I’m like 10 feet away.  Continuing along the same loop I see one fly across the trail about 20 yards in front of me just before I exit onto Summit Ave.  Heading back the same trail towards Gorgas I see another but at least this one scampers off before I approach.
 
So, you folks who ride at night do you normally see a bunch of deer on the trails?  Anything else to watch out for at night?

Thanks

What bike do you ride? I hear that when doing SS one sees a lot more wild life, as it's a lot quieter (no drivetrain noises, and no chain slap)   ;)

Never hit any, but I've seen many deer very close on the trails. They are getting bolder and less afraid every year.

dz

Welcome to PMBA! Night riding brings on a whole new dimension. Deer on the other hand brings things to a standstill especially if they are in the middle of the freekin trail! make alot of noise and they will run away as you have seen. there are several with large racks that you won't want to get caught up in. And then there is the dead carcass laying to the side of the trail and when people stop for a rest and look down it's not a pleasant site! Saw one last night and scared the b-jesus out of Jamie! Was hilarious!

Other things to watch out for at the Wiss at night - murderers, rapers, homeless and the occasional stripper. So just keep riding, shine the light bright and pack some mace! No really it's not that bad. Please though, if you rise at night GO WITH A GROUP! Check the site for posted rides and places to meet...

Welcome halfloop! You're life is about to get much better, well your mountain biking life  ;D Night riding is awesome. Definitely ride with a group. Not that it is super dangerous, but why risk it. THis is the big city and who knows what you can run into. Especially if you get a mechanical... One time in broad daylight, I come ripping around a bend and a HUGE Buck is standing on the trail. We both surprise each other and I lock up my brakes and come to a complete stop, about 10 yards from him. He doesn't flinch! He snorts out his nose and I am like, oh shit. Then he gingerly walks off the trail into the woods like he's da man! It was cool, and a little scary because he could have did some damage to me. But once he realized I wasn't a nice warm and fuzzy doe and that he wasn't going to get any ass, he moved on... LEt's ride! Lou

I've hit squirrels on the trail and once had a head on collision with a ground hog at Penny Pack last spring! I've hit plenty of them with my Jeep in the past!!!!!

When I lived in Northern VA the majority of the deer were domesticated because the housing communities had moved into large pockets of the woods and they didn;t have any natural preditors. It was very common to come across a herd of deer (15+) just standing around filling their stomachs. It was always a sight to come riding up on 4-5 buck and the smallest being an 8pt.

Like I mentioned before kiddies, the deer are in Rut, and the bucks will be a bit more brazen this time of the year. When ever it's a full moon or bright night, the deer will be on the move feeding at night instead of bedding down.

I had one close call last year or 2 years ago, cant really remember. I just missed a deer on the trail by less than a couple of feet. Locked up my brakes to avoid the collision. It was at night and I was solo.