Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: bike, Bike Commuting, cars, commuting, dark, evening, night, night time, riding, struggle
Last night I had an evening obligation after work, so I ended up doing a 6 mile commute home in the dark.
If you read this blog, you may remember that my first night ride was very difficult and left me discouraged and dragging. I’m happy to say that the night time riding thing is getting much better. I believe that last night was the third night ride I have done since I started bike commuting, and it is growing on me. There are elements of it I still find a bit creepy, like being on a dark stretch of road with nobody else around except for that one car coming up behind you that seems to be awfully close to your side of the road, but I have had safe rides and have enjoyed the cooler night air. I think that most of my night riding phobias are just in my head, as I really haven’t had any problems with drivers, and the traffic is actually much lighter than during my normal daytime rides. The night time traffic is completely different, and last night it seemed that people were a lot more relaxed, out enjoying an evening drive with their windows down and their music playing. One thing I have noticed about night riding is that I have to play the mental game with myself a bit differently. I have noticed that when I start out at night I am fighting lots of inner objections as to why riding home in the dark is a bad idea. Of course, one of the best arguments with myself is that the only other option at that point is to walk, so of course the bike ride wins. I have also noticed that I am usually more tired than when starting my daytime rides, but if I allow myself to slow the pace a good bit and just enjoy the cool night air, and the night experience, then things begin to shape up and the ride actually becomes a rather pleasant experience.
How about you? Do you do much riding at night? Has it been something you enjoy, or something you have struggled with?
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Drive My Bike 
Night riding is great for the reasons you said, less traffic, more festive atmosphere, cooler air. For me it really depends on where I have to ride. I do not like riding on the edge of a narrow highway, even at dusk. With a good headlight, however, it can be a hoot riding around town at night.
There are many mountain bikers who like to hit the trails at night. I’ve never done this, but always wanted to. I hear that you want to have a headlamp as well as a bright headlight for this. Do they sell a bike accessory to fend off bears?
Comment by Nathan Allan July 22, 2008 @ 2:57 pm