Riding at night can be a good way to escape the heat and give you a different perspective on riding. There are however many differences between night and day riding. I never ride as fast at night as I do during the day. I believe it is Texas that posts separate speed limits for day and night travel. One thing that becomes obvious is the fact your visibility is greatly reduced. I have been blessed with excellent night vision but if you are not I would strongly discourage night riding.
The first and foremost thing I would like to bring up about night riding is a obstacle. Things such as road gators (those black tire treads laying on the highway) are way less visible at night than they are in the day. Deer seem to be more active at night fall and though they usually can be seen on the sides of the road they can also meander out to the road surface.
I prefer to be following someone with good lights. Using their headlights to increase my field of vision. (I am not talking tail gating them but allow them to be a good ways in front of you). Never go faster than you can stop in your field of view. It does no good to be able to identify what you hit as long as you hit it. Give yourself enough time to actually avoid the obstacle.
Watch the vehicles in front of you intensely; if you see them veer off to the left you can expect an obstacle ahead of the right. Keep in mind that the four wheeled vehicles my be straddling an obstacle and set your path in their tire tracks.
Oncoming traffic can also give you a good view of the road surface you are traveling. Notice the two reflective lines on your road surface coming from their headlights. If those lines are solid and without an interruption you can almost certainly conclude that your highway surface is clear from obstruction. If there is a large gap in their lights reflection you can almost certainly conclude there is a obstacle laying on the highway before you and should adjust your speed accordingly.
Road signs and gas stations are harder to find at night so keep an eye out for them. Several stations will remain open but only accept credit cards at night. Keep this in mind as you travel.
Keep in mind at all times your physical stamina and be more willing to take breaks to keep yourself awake and alert.
