Lights and Tights

Haven't posted in like forever. Lots has happened in the intervening months. I've been posting most of my personal news on Facebook and have been taking a break, I suppose.

They days have been getting shorter which is a real bummer. I try to work out 2-3 days a week after work. When your main type of exercise is cycling, the short days are a real problem. I suppose I could break out the spin trainer (ugh) or do some walking, or go to the gym, but I just prefer cycling.

Last night I decided fight nature and try a little night riding. I chose a route that I know well, the 52-Loop ride that I've been riding almost weekly for months. It has several other advantages since 10 of the 20 miles are on dedicated bike paths with no cars. Only about 5 miles actually have any significant traffic.

I rode my new Medici Gran Turismo touring bike and mounted a light on the front bars and a blinky on the rear seatpost. I wore my Cal cycling "kit" which is bright yellow and white for extra visibility and hit the road around 6:15 pm. Traffic was pretty sparse at this time and there was still some daylight. After about 15 minutes the daylight had really faded. I flipped on the headlight but it wasn't effective at dusk so I switched it back off. I did turn on the blinkly at this point. I make it to the 52-bike path and then it really starts to darken. I play with the light. Hmm, the shifter cables from my bar-ends and the front tire cast a pretty big shadow. I fiddle some more. Better. I start the 2-mile climb and it is completely dark when I reach the top. I get some occasional and incidental light from the cars along the adjacent highway. Next is the downhill for the next two miles. My visibility is limited to about 6 feet in front of the bike. I usually scream down the descent since it is pretty smooth but I'm much more cautious tonight because I don't want to slam into a cardboard box or other road debris at 40 MPH and only have 6 feet to react.

Now I'm back on the road. One brief instant of traffic, but I cross at a crosswalk to avoid the highway onramp. Riding along the road, I can see fine. Even with my blinky light I can sense that some of the drivers coming up behind are surprised to see me. I hug the curb and am more cautious than usual. I decide that I'm going to do an out and back rather than doing the entire loop to avoid as much traffic as possible. I decide to climb the big Mission Gorge road hill since it's got a wide bike lane and not much traffic. Very quiet, moon out. I look around, concentrate on my breathing and enjoy the solitude.

Another downhill and then I make the turn into Mission Trails park. The road is now closed to vehicle traffic since it is after dark. I navigate the walker's entrance, cut over to the road and pedal on. It is completely dark now with even much of the moonlight blocked by the hills on either side. I've got enough light but it starts to get a little freaky riding through an out of the way park where any nutjob might jump out of the bushes. Starting to freak myself out now. What was that noise in the bush? I move towards the center of the road, drop the bike into a big gear and haul. Whoa, a couple of hikers with no lights. That was a surprise. I reach the end and see another rider coming the other way so I guess I'm not the only dope out here. Back on the road for another couple of miles before I'm back on the bike path. I've got about another 6 miles to go. Piece of cake. 2 miles of climb and I'm feeling warm and starting to feel pretty cocky. 2 mile downhill now and all of a sudden, I'm freezing. The temperature had dropped and I'm sweaty from the climb. Shiver. I'll bring a jacket next time. A small light up ahead gets brighter and I pass another night rider. Hey!

The rest of the ride is uneventful and I make it back to the office to grab my gear and head home.

All and all, it was a very interesting experience that I definitely plan on doing again. I've got some additional reflective gear for my ankles and my reflective commuter jacket that I'll use next time. I might get another light for my helmet too for some extra visibility.