Yesterday, Seattle was dark for 15 hours 34 minutes and 37 seconds. Let us not count how much it was light– it is of no use to us. I rode to work in the black, and in the black I rode home.

The darkness is good to me. It shields my filthy chain from those who would judge it. It casts anonymity over the creaking of my bottom bracket. It erases your matching kit to shear black, pretty socks and all. It calls you to simply pedal. And, on the best of days, it gives me the jump on a fellow commuter just asking to be dropped like a pedal wrench in a two-year-old’s hands.

Today will only be one second less dark. Come feel the power of the darkside.

jim

Jim rides a bike a lot and hates people.

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  • It has been colder here than usual(how could that be, its Tucson) but waking up at 7am its about 2 degrees celcius. thats cold even for me. I need to invest in a gillet

  • Night rides are part and parcel of winter riding over here in blighty and I have to say I love them. Riding along on your very own bubble of light is quite special.

  • Apologies to the others, but Jim is my favorite Keeper.

    Every post is terse yet true, mysterious and inspiring.

  • Also, I'm now convinced that Jim doesn't exist, but is just Frank's alter ego. He breaks the rules and doesn't care.

    I think I saw a Felt in his basement one time.

  • @G'rilla

    Also, I'm now convinced that Jim doesn't exist, but is just Frank's alter ego. He breaks the rules and doesn't care.
    I think I saw a Felt in his basement one time.

    Frank's fluid writing style is unmistakable. Plus, "Jim" (wink-wink) gave it away when he mentioned Seattle.

  • Great post. I, too, have found a sense of inner peace pedaling along after dark ... in the cold, and sometimes wet. Of course, having two headlights and three tail lights for safety's sake helps.

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