cycling at night
Posted on July 7, 2008
Filed Under bikes
 from Copenhagen Cycle Chic |
After publishing a column on the joys of riding at night, I received from several Herald Sun readers an email-tonguelashing. It seems the idea of cycling at night is anathema to some who prefer the well-lit openness of the day. Well, I stick by what I said then, that cycling at night is a rewarding experience in addition to a practical necessity for some.
Look, I can’t help it if you watch Fox News’ nightly orgy of fear and as a result think the world is out to get you. I find the night to be a beautiful time to be outdoors, and there are few things I would rather do outdoors at night than ride a bike. True, you need to be a little more observant than during the day. But then again, that’s part of what makes night riding enjoyable — your senses are heightened and perception is augmented.
If you’ve never done it, you might start by trying the Habitat Bull Moon Ride on Saturday, July 19th.
Below is a note from Roxanne at Habitat for Humanity of Durham…
Sat., July 19 join Wool E. Bull and Habitat for Humanity of Durham for the Bull Moon Ride! This group ride for cyclists of all abilities starts at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park at 8:30 p.m. Experience Durham sites including Duke Chapel, Brightleaf Square, and Durham’s city center as the sun sets. Return to the ballpark on the American Tobacco Trail as the moon rises!
RIDE DETAILS
- Ride benefits Habitat for Humanity of Durham and helps build homes, hope, and community in Durham!
- 17 mile route (posted www.durhamhabitat.org)
- 6 mile route option available
- 12 mph average rolling speed
- Police escorts
- Helmets required
- Tail and head lights required (for ideas about lights contact Roxanne)
- $20 pre-registration per adult
- $10 pre-registration per child (min. age to ride is 10)
INFORMATION & REGISTRATION
Register today! Early registration deadline is July 17. Walk-on registration is $25 per adult and $15 per child. To register and for additional information, visit www.durhamhabitat.org or contact Roxanne, 919-682-0516, ext. 113 or rhall@durhamhabitat.org.THANK YOU!
Roxanne Hall Little
Special Events Manager
Habitat for Humanity of Durham
215 N. Church St.
Durham, NC 27701
919-682-0516, ext. 113
rhall@durhamhabitat.org
www.durhamhabitat.orgHabitat for Humanity of Durham transforms lives and communities by making homeownership possible in partnership with people who care. Habitat has broken ground on 200 homes in Durham since 1985. Families are selected based on housing need, ability to repay the 0% interest loan in full, and willingness to partner with Habitat. Habitat’s 1700 U.S. affiliates believe decent housing is a matter of conscience and action. Habitat for Humanity International works in 100 countries worldwide and has built more than 225,000 homes since 1976.
And to get you warmed up for a night ride, take a look at local cyclist Adrian Hands’ recently-posted reflection on cycling at night.
Night rides are a great escape from summer’s heat and are always thrilling—especially all-night brevets, where reaching the dawn serves as reward for one’s nocturnal toils. – Read the rest –
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I started riding at night by necessity last Fall when the days got shorter and love it. As long as you have a good headlight, taillight, a little reflective gear and ride with common sense you’ll fine. Plus here in Spokane were I live there are generally a lot fewer cars on the road around my neighborhood in the evening hours.
I did 144 miles last Wednesday, July 2nd. Left home at 5am. Best part of the ride was from 5am to sun up. Of course I had lights and all appropriate safety gear. I agree, night riding is very enjoyable if done proplerly.
Great post. I am not an avid rider but I do get out on occasion. A few times I have found myself riding after dark and in spite my initial fear it’s been a non issue thus far. I do have a tail blinker and mainly ride on roads with streetlights. It certainly has turned out to be less of an issue than I would have thought before doing it myself.
Night biking is the best. I haven’t done it in ages, but I used to ride at night almost daily. Err, nightly.
Years ago, I found myself riding home through the worst part of Seattle at 3am, completely drunk. It was great. No one hassled me, I had the city to myself and I got home safely.
I gotta go charge my lights…..