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Darkness, darkness everywhere...

Now that the clocks have changed, we'll all be doing a lot more riding in the dark.
Here are a few things to help keep you seen out on the roads.

Darkness, darkness everywhere...

Unless you missed it, and have subsequently been really early for work three days in a row, the clocks went back last weekend. That means if you want to ride your bike on a weekday, chances are you’ll be doing it in the dark, especially if you’re commuting.

With that in mind we’ve put together a little list of a few things that’ll help keep you seen on the roads even if you’re riding in the dark.

Cycliq Fly 6/Fly 12

If you’re only going to use one thing on this list, then lights should be that thing. High-viz clothing is great, but it works by reflecting light, whereas lights themselves not only help other people to see you, they also help you see where you’re going.

Cycliq have taken lights to the next level. Not only are their Fly 6 and Fly 12 units powerful enough to help you get home whatever the weather, they also have built in high-def video cameras to record what’s going on. Smart, right?

Hump bag cover

On the other hand, if you’re a commuter and tend to ride in normal clothes rather than bike-specific garb, Hump might well be the brand you’re looking for. They offer a range of commuter-friendly high-vis kit, with some of our favourites being their range of backpack covers.

Coming in a selection of different colours - including a super-reflective option – they’re a great way to offset even the drabbest of clothing, and the reflective chevrons give you that added element that’s sure to catch the eye, if not necessarily in the Vogue sense.And if you dont want to mess around with bag covers, you can always use Hump's own Burner waterproof bag. 

GP 4000s II reflective tyres

Side visibility can be one of the trickier things to nail on a bike. You have lights facing front and rear, and clothing designed to attract attention, but things specifically designed to attract attention from the side are few and far between.

One possible solution from Continental, are tyres with reflective strips. Yep, we know that reflective tyres have had a bad rap in the past for being, well, crap, but Conti have solved that problem by making their GP 4000s II tyres with a reflective strip on the side. That’s right, they’ve taken their very best road clinchers and made them reflective without sacrificing any performance. You’re welcome. 

100% S2

Okay, maybe they’re not a necessity, but as anyone who’s ever ridden downhill in sub-zero temperatures or in driving rain will tell you; sunnies make it a hell of a lot easier to see than exposing your eyes to the elements.

Plus the great thing about 100%’s glasses is that they’re cool enough to wear off the bike as well as functionally brilliant on it – so you really get the best of both worlds. Every set of S2s come with a tinted set of lenses and a clear set which are perfect for low light or dark conditions, just adding a layer of protection to your eyes to make sure you keep alert of everything that’s going on around you.

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