What an evening to be a cyclist

[IanT]

Now, you can call me odd but I really do like riding at night. Even in the rain!!!

This evening, after a thoroughly frustrating work day full of IT issues and inane conference calls, I decided to get out on the TDF to blow away the cobwebs and test my recent gear fettling.

Upon leaving the garage, I was met by a lovely, cold, dry, moonlit evening. Cycled just short of 15 miles in about an hour (which I was happy with - given the traffic), gears were smoother than a cashmere codpiece and, even better, I even conquered my own local nemesis hill - which I have always given up on at about the 3/4 point and had to walk up. Even did that from a standing start half way up - thanks to a red light.

Despite the traffic, no one tried to kill me and, when I returned home, the moon was even illuminating my drive for me - nicely augmenting the narrow beam of my Smart Lunar front light.

Any evening is a good evening to be a cyclist - but, this one was a corker.

Sorry, just had to share that!!!

 

[Milemuncher]

Pity you can't bottle the feeling - you'd make a fortune.

 

[Shadow]

Now, you can call me odd but I really do like riding at night. Even in the rain!!!

Sorry, just had to share that!!!

I could call you odd but that would be unfair as we have not met (as far as I know). But OTOH I would not call you odd at all because you are absolutely right! And tonight was a brilliant example of perfect evening conditions. Also, you do not need to apologise!!

May I suggest you look at the FNRttC website or the 'Informal Rides' section here and you will find many other like minded riders!!

 

[cycleruk]

I have to agree, it was a very nice night, the moon was out and i even had a shadow because of the brightness! .
Night time with the moon light showing the way home, watching my shadow spin it up the hill and a nice temperature as well who needs a car when you have a push bike!

 

[2wd]

Since it's been 30 years since I owned a bike I do most of my cycling in the evening.....

1) Its quieter for me as I build my confidence back up

2) I get to play with my shiny lights

3) No one can see me in my Lycra pants

 

[IanT]

Thanks for the replies - nice to know that I am not alone.

 

[HovR]

I also enjoy cycling at night!

Took a short 8 mile ride into town and back last night, which was a really nice ride. It's a great route, as the roads are in good enough condition to get up to and maintain ~20MPH on the flat, which is unusual around here!

 

[fossyant]

The getting up a hill you didn't do before is a BIG milestone. Keep going.

I like riding at night but I have to do it commuting anyway. It's much better if I can go out late on, after rush hour - no traffic. Don't get the chance to do that much.

I enjoyed late night rides last spring when I was recovering from a shoulder op - off work, but I needed to be out, best low risk of injury was at night - all 'approved' by the hospital - don't play with cars until healed.

 

[rowan 46]

Since it's been 30 years since I owned a bike I do most of my cycling in the evening.....

1) Its quieter for me as I build my confidence back up

2) I get to play with my shiny lights

3) No one can see me in my Lycra pants

+1 to all 3 points

 

[Wobblers]

Now, you can call me odd but I really do like riding at night. Even in the rain!!!

This evening, after a thoroughly frustrating work day full of IT issues and inane conference calls, I decided to get out on the TDF to blow away the cobwebs and test my recent gear fettling.

Upon leaving the garage, I was met by a lovely, cold, dry, moonlit evening. Cycled just short of 15 miles in about an hour (which I was happy with - given the traffic), gears were smoother than a cashmere codpiece and, even better, I even conquered my own local nemesis hill - which I have always given up on at about the 3/4 point and had to walk up. Even did that from a standing start half way up - thanks to a red light.

Despite the traffic, no one tried to kill me and, when I returned home, the moon was even illuminating my drive for me - nicely augmenting the narrow beam of my Smart Lunar front light.

Any evening is a good evening to be a cyclist - but, this one was a corker.

Sorry, just had to share that!!!

You're not odd. You just have impeccable judgment, that's all!

I'm just back after doing 18 miles round Frankley, Romsley and Clent. You're right, it is a lovely moonlit night - so bright I could see the mist in the valleys. I like night riding: you get to see a wonderful, peaceful, secret world - and it's all to yourself! It's well worth getting yourself on a FNRttC ride - you'll find you're not alone!

 

[IanT]

The getting up a hill you didn't do before is a BIG milestone. Keep going.

Thanks Fossyant - I'm still buzzing about that - even now.

 

[IanT]

I'm just back after doing 18 miles round Frankley, Romsley and Clent. You're right, it is a lovely moonlit night - so bright I could see the mist in the valleys. I like night riding: you get to see a wonderful, peaceful, secret world - and it's all to yourself! It's well worth getting yourself on a FNRttC ride - you'll find you're not alone!

Oh, that sounds just perfect.

A couple of people have mentioned FNRttC now - I'll check it out.

Right, off to eBay now to order my new CREE front light - so I can get more off-road night time action in, too.

 

[Strick]

Good result all round then. Nice one.

 

[Glow worm]

Last night was a real corker here too. Quite warm, with the faintest of breezes and a big old moon.

I cycled home from work north out of Cambridge along the river up to a small place called Horningsea where a v. nice LBS fella put right my gears after I had once again ballsed them up replacing a cable. I then headed home east across the fen along farm tracks and bridleways with nothing but the moon (and a startled little owl at one point) for company. I was sad to get back on the roads again at Lode.

 

[MickL]

All this talk about the moon, what about Jupiter, its the big bright star that was sitting close to the moon