The dark makes everything worse; something primal awakens in us when the sun has gone and we are wrapped in the black cloak of night. Laying in bed, my worst thoughts and fears come knocking like some used-car salesperson who won’t leave me alone. There is no shutting down of this process, our imaginations are given free reign to do their worst.
Darkness makes the cold feel colder, and the rain more wet; it wraps us and removes all the visual cues that might otherwise distract us from their lightless work. This is a difficult time of year, when the days are at their shortest; we leave for work in the dark and return home in it too. It never leaves us.
Leaving for a ride at night takes the same sort of resolve that riding in bad weather does; you need not think about whether you want to do it; you simply set about kitting up, and then placing one foot before the other until you’re standing outside with your bicycle at your side. Then you pedal.
Riding at night puts me in an cocoon of isolation, there is life inside the cone that spills from my headlight; beyond its borders I do not know what creatures and thoughts dwell – I don’t need to know. There is only the small triangular section of road within the cone. Like a carrot spurring on a donkey, perhaps if I push a little harder on the pedals, I can overtake the far edge of the light and explore what lies beyond.
Winter Solstice is behind us now, and for the next half year, our days will get longer. Though the days will remain dark for some time yet; each coming day will be a little bit longer until finally, the headlights will be put away. Until then, I will ride inside my cone when I need to, and cherish daylight rides when I can.
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Yes sir! I can handle this northern hemisphere positive vibe. Past the trough.
The cone. I'm sure many of us have ridden with bike mounted headlights and also helmet/head mounted headlights. With both, you get a lot. With one, you get some. Having only a bike-mounted headlight and hearing something loud in the dark, nearby, and turning to look at it, and realizing you aren't wearing a helmet-mounted headlight.
That is scary. It's also fun. And it reminds you to bring yer helmet light, if you so desire.
The changing of the guard this time o' year, however you observe it, causes a lot of deep thinking. Moving forward, looking back.
Dec 21st, my favourite day of the year. Bring on the daylight!
Daaamn. Well said, Frank. Once again.
@Ron
I like scary fun.
@Ron
In reality, I ride with both a helmet and handlebar light, both by Lezyne. You need both, not just for the visibility, but because the two lights move independently, cars are better able to realize you're not another car or moto. Whenever I've ridden with just one or the other, cars make many more bad moves around me, particularly in the way of pulling out in front of me when I'm going 60km/h down a hill in the rain.
But the helmet light is about as useful as a candle in a horror movie as far as helping you discern the source of the light when you're moving at a reasonable speed, so the effect of the cone is honorably retained.
And before someone starts geeking out and yammering about lumens and battery life. . . first, read the article; next, ponder this, at its center: "Then you pedal".
I fear the darkness, and in it I will not ride. I suck. But...I'm old now. I'll leave the riding when you cannot see (or be seen) to you young whippersnappers. Just stay off my lawn.
Riding at night under ideal conditions can be delightful. I live close to the Natchez Trace in the US, and on clear moonlit nights the riding on the Trace is truly sublime...the world wraps itself around you in a soft silver glow, and the hours slide effortlessly by, the only sound the hum of tires upon tarmac and the wind against your ears. What could be better?
I'm not crazy about darkness either. Throw in some ice--and I'm freaked out! Even with studded tires. Ever have wipe-out dreams? Kinda like wet dreams except you suddenly wake up in the middle of wiping out on a patch of ice. Darkness and ice. Freaks me out.