Riding Alone

Last night was a fun night to ride. The cold temperatures finally arived during the day yesterday. I think it was actually below 50 degrees when I started riding at about 5:30. For the first time, I was able to wear a long sleeve shirt for my ride. It was nice to combine the lights and the cooler temps for a little spin time by myself.

I packed up the singlespeed and lights and headed to River Legacy park in Arlington. The MTB Trail here is a loop that is just a shade under three miles. It is a very easy trail that I have ridden many, many times. The first lap it was still daylight and I was able to rail the corners. The straights were dry and very fast and the corners still had a bit of tackiness from last weeks rains, so they bit very well. It was probably one of the faster laps I have ever turned out there.

Starting with lap number two, I had to turn on the light. This did slow my pace a bit. I was trying to adjust my eyes to the darkness and focused on not slipping out of corners or off of the defined tread. Constantly scanning ahead. Focusing the light around the corner instead of through the corner. Noises make concentrating on the trail difficult. You can't look to see what is to the side, though. Or you will find yourself lying on the ground wondering what hit you. Ahhh, the noises.

I love to ride by myself at times. It can make the problems of the world disappear. Or it can make the solutions crystal clear. Its cleansing. But doing it in the dark reminds me of the feelings I had as a child. Did I ever pass the guy that was entering the trail just in front of me? Is that set of eyes a raccoon or a bobcat? The slight uneasiness that can be experienced when normal senses are taken away. Its a beautiful feeling.

An hour after I started, I rolled out of the woods and back into the parking lot after the fifth lap. Not bad. I was cleaner, simpler and refreshed. The beauty of riding alone in the dark.

Night Riding

We hit the time change a couple of weeks ago. That meant that bike rides after work are now being done in the dark. There is something refreshing about strapping the light to the top of your helmet and heading into the woods on two wheels by yourself. It cleanses the soul when you come around a corner and hear the rustling leaves beside you. Since you're riding a trail, you can't look off to see what it was. Was it a rabbit or other critter? Was it a coyote or fox? Was it a person? Oh the mind loves to speculate.

I had the good fortune of riding with several fellas tonight. We showed up at The Horseshoe trail system on Lake Grapevine. Six of us ready to roll for what will be a regular Wednesday night event for the next few months. Batteries charged and lights ready, we gathered in the parking lot waiting on the last person to be ready. I reached up to click the light on. The bulb goes out. I'm screwed. Fortunately, for me, the local bike shop that I support is just around the corner and still open. I load the bike back up and head to Mad Duck Adventure Sports to see if something can be done. They fix me up with a loaner lamp so I can get in on the ride. I scream back into the woods, alone, in search of others. I caught up and had a load of fun. Now to get that stupid bulb replaced.