Are the short winter days leaving you yearning for adventure? A regular dose of a 25km, 1000m vertical ascent, 90-minute eMTB ride might be exactly what you need! Winter's grippy trails and crisp temperatures make it the perfect time to embrace night riding.

The electric assist of an eMTB means you can cover significant distances in a short amount of time, all while maintaining a comfortable body temperature. Add in the magic of riding under the stars, and you're set for an epic adventure!

I'm in! What do I need to get started?

To maximize your enjoyment and safety on the trails, appropriate lights and clothing are key. Let's break down the essentials.

### Lights for Trail Riding ###

At a minimum, you'll need one good light. We're talking a lightweight, ~2000 lumen light with a run time of 60-90 minutes at maximum brightness. Hassle-free, versatile mounting and intuitive controls are also major plusses!

TIP: If you're only running one light, mount it on your helmet. This ensures the trail is always illuminated in the direction you're looking. For comfort and balance, aim to mount the light in a central position.

Here are our top recommendations for helmet-mounted lights designed for trail riding:

• Exposure Diablo: A powerful yet compact option, perfect for helmet mounting.

• Exposure Zenith: Slightly brighter than the Diablo, offering excellent illumination from your helmet.

Both the Diablo and Zenith deliver incredible illumination in a small package, making them excellent choices for helmet-mounted night riding.

### More Light, More Adventure! ###

While you can certainly enjoy night trails with just a single Diablo or Zenith, more light (and longer run times) is always a good idea! While you could double up on helmet lights, a more common and effective solution is to pair a brighter, handlebar-mounted light with your helmet light.

Having two lights illuminating the trail from different angles significantly improves depth perception. Plus, if your ride unexpectedly extends due to a mechanical issue or a crash, you'll have ample light to get home safely.

Exposure's Maxx-D is the quintessential handlebar-mounted light, offering an impressive blend of brightness, run time, weight, and size. It also boasts Reflex Technology, which intelligently adjusts the light's output based on factors like your speed and gradient. On the trail, Reflex is a game-changer, allowing you to "set it and forget it" rather than constantly toggling modes during your ride.

While Exposure offers other notable lights such as the Race and Six Pack, included below,;o the Maxx-D stands out as the optimal choice.

TIP: Need even more run time for your Exposure light? Exposure offers 'Support Cells' – external battery packs that connect to all their lights, extending your run time by up to three times!

While Exposure lights might not be the cheapest option, they are proven performers that deliver reliable quality. Invest once, and enjoy countless nights of illuminated riding!

### Not Too Hot, Not Too Cold. Just Right! ###

Maintaining a comfortable body temperature is key to enjoying your night rides. Winter evenings in Southern Tasmania typically range from 0-10 degrees Celsius – so it's important to respect the night!

Winter Gloves

Warm, working fingers are absolutely essential for bike control. Since your hands are usually the first to feel the chill, finding the ideal gloves is definitely worth the effort! Good winter gloves will keep your hands warm and dry, without restricting movement or compromising your grip. Given individual preferences, a bit of trial and error might be needed to find your perfect pair. We often find that thin, Gore-Tex-style shells with minimal padding are our favorites.

Shop for Cold Weather Gloves

The Rest of Your Kit

Compared to gloves, the rest of your night riding gear is pretty straightforward. A merino base layer, a jersey, and a wind stopper jacket are usually enough to keep your torso warm. Long riding pants are also highly recommended, along with merino socks to keep your feet cozy.

Finally, don't underestimate the power of a neck gaiter! This multi-purpose piece of kit is surprisingly awesome, effectively keeping the cold wind off your chest and adding an extra layer of warmth where you need it most.

Shop for Riding Clothes

Planning Your Night Ride

To maximize your fun on a night e-MTB ride, the goal is simple: don't run out of battery – for either your lights or your motor. A good rule of thumb for planning is that a full-powered e-bike with a 75kg rider can typically cover about 25km and ascend 1000m of vertical gain in roughly 1.5 hours. If you're exploring local trails, it's smart to start with an easier route and gradually add more challenging sections as you get comfortable. For detailed route planning, online services like ridewithgps.com are particularly helpful.

Ready to transform your Winter evenings?

Winter's shorter days don't have to mean less riding. With an e-MTB, you can still enjoy significant rides, well after the sun sets. By choosing the right lights and clothing, and planning your route, you're set to experience the unique enjoyment of night riding in Southern Tasmania.