Dan Casey

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The lights danced through the cold, dark winter forest like so many fireflies. As the glowing orbs drew closer, they brought with them a light buzzing and whirring noise. Then came the sound of panting. These were not giant, fast-moving bugs but mountain bikers, the powerful halogen head lamps on their helmets and handlebars blinking as the riders passed behind trees. As fast as they appeared, the bikers flew off down the Explore Park mountain bike trail, their lights washing the path ahead of them in a yellow glow.

Evans, a 32-year-old computer programmer from Roanoke, is one of a growing number of mountain bikers who no longer lets a full-time day job and a lack of daylight keep him off the trail during the winter months. They're not riding at night just to stay in shape. They've also found that night riding opens up a challenging, fun world.

"It makes it seem like you're going faster than you really are," Evans said of a sport he tried for the first time this fall. "And it's really great when you get a bunch of people together and you're just flying through the woods." Brian Lang, a 31-year-old Roanoker, has been mountain biking after dark for four years.

"It's a whole different experience," said Lang, who manages the research and development department at Acadia Polymers in Roanoke. "The first time I was riding with a guy who turned his light on and I saw the trail light up, I was hooked." Functional headlights for cyclists first appeared on the mass market about 10 years ago. Featuring powerful halogen bulbs and rechargeable batteries, the lights differed from traditional bike lights. The new lights were not designed simply to let bikers be seen, but to help the bikers see the road or trail ahead. Those features didn't come cheap: In 1990, a good lighting system cost $200 or more.

Ron Glowczynski, who owns American Flyers bike shop in Roanoke and who leads the night rides at Explore Park every Thursday, got his first powerful bike light in 1993.

"I can think of only three or four people who rode with lights back then and went off road," Glowczynski said. "Other people thought we were nuts."

Mike Matzuk, owner of East Coasters bike shops in Roanoke and Blacksburg, said many of the early night riders were either hard-core racers or bike shop employees.

"There was just a trickle of interest at first," Matzuk said. "But interest has just continued to grow."

Serious riders have driven the trend. They have found that off-road riding at night is a great way to stay in shape during the winter.

"It opens horizons for people to ride," said Glowczynski, himself a racer. "If you're restricted to riding in daylight, you'll never ride during the week. You'd be stuck on a trainer, and that's boring."

Glowczynski used to be host of indoor training rides after work at his shop. No more. He stopped holding the rides this winter because no one was showing up. It wasn't just a coincidence that American Flyers sold more lighting systems than ever last year.

Serious riders aren't the only ones outfitting their handlebars and helmets with halogens these days. Organized rides such as those at Explore Park and the rides hosted by the East Coasters shop in Blacksburg are attracting a growing number of intermediate riders who just want to have some off-road fun during the week.

"Another thing about night rides is they offer such a low-key and friendly atmosphere," Matzuk said. "I don't remember going out on a night ride that turned into a real barn-burner."

During breaks in Explore Park rides, Glowczynski sometimes tells fellow riders to watch out for "Little Timmy," a horror story-like character who supposedly roams the woods around Roanoke.

If Little Timmy shows up, the riders will at least get a good look at him. Today's lights are greatly improved over early models. Many premium lighting systems feature the powerful halogen bulbs as well as light and compact nickel metal hydride batteries that can power a light for at least two hours . Most systems are waterproof and built to handle the constant pounding dished out by mountain bikers.

Good systems remain pricey. Entry-level lights start about $70, with many popular models costing about $200. Powerful dual-beams can cost more than $300, and one system -- Cat Eye's blindingly bright Stadium Light -- retails for more than $400.

Many bike shops rent lights to those who are unsure whether they're ready to dive into off road riding at night. Renters often become owners . Matzuk said many riders fall in love with night riding the first time they try it.

"I can't think of anything else we do as an organization," Matzuk said of his shop's night rides, "that puts more smiles on the faces of people the first time they try it."

Night rides are held at Explore Park. A park membership or $3 fee is required, and riders must sign up in advance. For information, call Explore Park at 427-1800. For information on night rides in the Blacksburg area, call East Coasters at 951-2369.

A night rider's gear

Taillights

Batteries

A partner

Experience

Safety needs