It may not be ideal, but if it works for your lifestyle then go for it.
I used to commute about 2hrs each way in the dark. My pro tip would be to make sure you get to bed early and have your morning kit and nutrition sorted the night before. Carry plenty of spares and pre-plan what you’d do in reasonable scenarios like a broken chain an hour into your ride when no one else is awake. (At one point I carried a pair of trainers so I could run if the bike was totalled)
I weekly do 1 early morning ride. As others have said invest in good lights, I first bought cheapest ones ($30 or so) as I found the others too expensive. However, I didn’t like them at all and went on buying the expensive ones anyway. It’s a game changer, I feel safe, can see the road and go much faster.
On another note, I find it very hard to get up early and sometimes don’t make it out of bed early <6 am in my case. But whenever I do, I never regret it and feel very happy in the afternoon. Personally I find it very hard to go near threshold early in the morning, so make it a zone 2, enjoy the silence sunrise ride.
Does it help my progress more than sleeping longer? I don’t know. But it makes me happy.
Some lights are manufactured to throw a narrower beam further ahead (better for higher speeds), while others light up a wider area.
I ride almost exclusively before 7am. I have a group of friends that we have been riding early Wednesday and Fridays for the last 2 years. Besides having to wake up at 4:30 to meet at 5am…it is superior for traffic, open roads etc. We meet, ride for 1-1:30 (sometimes easy, sometimes a hammer session 
) to one of the various coffee shops around town, have coffee/fellowship and I am home by 7am for dad duty. If it wasn’t for this, I wouldn’t be riding near as much.
All that said, if you do it…do it safely and you will be happy you did.
In my career I’ve investigated cycling fatalities that have occurred at night. All of the cases that come to mind involve the cyclist not using lights.
Lights help you be seen - and they can help you see hazards ahead (potholes, tree limbs that fell into the road, pedestrians, wildlife crossing the street etc.).
As others have mentioned reflective clothing is a very good idea as well - rear lights are useful but you really want to be as visible as possible to traffic.
Definitely buy a light. Not only so you can see the road but so cars can see you.
We’re discussing it a little right now over here: Front light strategy (and any experience with Outbound Lighting or Exposure?) - #11 by OreoCookie
Unless these roads you’re on are lit up like a racetrack at night it’s incredibly dangerous to ride without one.
Wear a white helmet. Why on earth are you cycling at night without a light. You will die if you continue to do that.
I’ve had a few that weren’t very watertight. Really… Most ‘good ones’ likely are, but there are some that are from reputable brands too that are just so close to garbage.
And there are incredibly reflective jackets and such now that didn’t exist years ago. One id10t said that ‘all these bikers and their bright lights is making it harder for me to avoid hitting them’. Yeah, such brain dead mentality, but if you are hit at night, and don’t have any lights or reflective clothing, etc, the person hitting you isn’t likely to be punished for your, um, stupidity… A walker was run down 5 or so years ago. The driver felt horrible, and was willing to accept any punishment, but the prosecuting attorney dropped the case. The police didn’t even want to press charges, and from what I remember the family tried a civil suit and the judge there dismissed it too. Horrific case, somewhat understandably horrific outcome. The driver just did not see him as their car came around a curve. GET LIGHTS!!!
The early Bontrager Flair lights weren’t at all able to be accused of taking waterproofing seriously. If the skimpy cover popped open and water got it the right space, no more light.
Do folks think the Varia is generally a good idea, now that its been out of a while? I live in a rural area, and ride primarily dirt roads, and have noticed my threshold for cars and safety has transitioned very far from my comfort level a few years ago living in the city.
Get a Varia.
I already had a Garmin head unit and when I got my Varia it paired up and shows me the traffic behind me as it gets closer.
The light also starts varying the light pattern, so it starts blinking very rapidly to try and attract the attention of the driver, so it’s not just a static red light they see.
Get a Varia.
I had one of the originals after Garmin bought out the KickStarter. It’s a great idea! Can’t think of a better idea. It does false, but it will show how many ‘large objects’ it sees, and as long as you know what it’s doing, you will be far better informed, and won’t have to. turn around.
Other riders complain about the noise, which I get. It’s either on or off on early ones, and I believe the newer ones will do high, low, and off. It’s also pretty bright too, and does change as the ‘big object’ gets closer.
Unless something has changed, I think the consensus is to pass on the camera one though.
A while back we had a thread where a large number of users said the Varia was the single best bike purchase they had ever made.
I wouldn’t trust buying a light online UNLESS it is a brand you know and trust. Many companies make us specs and the lights so not work well. Visit your local bike shop, mate.
If my Varia died today, I’d buy a new one today. I suspect they’ll go on sale again soon for $150.
You also look it over like a hawk, and return it if ANYTHING looks odd. Seriously!! I’e gotten the most mundane things that were counterfeit. I’m amazed, yet not surprised at the things that are being faked.
Another “get a Varia” response. Search the forum of Garmin Varia and you’ll see the vast majority of us think it’s a required item. If mine died today, I’d order a new one today.
My old Varia died this summer after five solid years of use. Ordered one immediately before I left for that day’s ride.
Felt super naked riding without it even on very rural gravel roads where I get passed by like four or five cars at most, and felt a huge sense of relief when the new one arrived the next day.
Couple thoughts: people VASTLY overestimate their own situational awareness and are not nearly as aware of possible threats as they think they are; electric and hybrid cars can run very quietly and can be drowned out by your own fat gravel tires crunching on chunky roads; know how many cars are pulling up behind you makes a huge difference when you need to swerve to avoid a pothole or something.
To all - In what way do you change your riding behaviour based on information from a varia?
Personally speaking, I like riding closer to the middle of the lane when the situation allows for it (much less debris than the shoulder, as I’m sure you know).
Drivers, however, aren’t a fan of that!
With a radar light, I’ll know when a car is coming before I can even hear it. I’ll move towards the shoulder accordingly, driver stays happy and I (probably) don’t get buzzed/yelled at/have stuff thrown at me.
The radar also shows how many cars are behind me when I’m riding, so I’ll know when I’m “safe” from passing vehicles. Ever think a long line of cars is done passing you, but it turns out there were actually one or two more before you’re in the clear? The radar helps avoid situations like that.
I also like that the light changes its flashing patterns as a car approaches. This seems to get the attention of drivers more than normal bike lights, in my experience.
I’m solidly on team “get a Varia” (or similar radar light… I think a few companies make them now). That forum thread that other athletes mentioned above was what pushed me to get mine, haha.
Good lights, something around 1000 lumens on the front if you’re going to be riding on unlit roads, and keep them charged up. When commuting in the dark I liked using two pairs front and rear, one set to a steady beam and the other flashing - for extra visibility and piece of mind if one stops working for any reason
With powerful lights I always felt more visible and safer on really dark roads than on roads with street lights or dusk / dawn