Ode to the solo late night summer ride

[velomonkey]

Sat in front of a computer all day. Weather was great - I was constantly behind on emails and documents. Texted friends to do a group ride. Their times to get out didn’t coincide with my timeframe.

It was getting late. Asked the Mrs. could I please go out for a 90 minute spin. She said sure.

Got dressed and couldn’t find socks, my riding bibs and jersey were all wrong. Packed my spare tube and C02 in my jersey. It was already starting to be a far from perfect ride.

Started peddling down the road alone. Saw the long shadows. Felt the warm air. Heard the hum of my Chris King hubs. Felt the efficiency of my bike. Slowly came to realize this was great; it almost couldn’t be better - THIS is why we ride.

No power readings. No HR zones. No strava segments. I ascended, I descended and I lived in the moment. I had a great ride. I felt giddy. I felt lucky to be here.

I hope you are able to do the same.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/290/18687751944_d8951b99cf_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/utnBzJ)IMG_5892 (https://flic.kr/p/utnBzJ) by P McQuown (https://www.flickr.com/photos/133559924@N08/), on Flickr

[bicycletricycle]

Just got back from a 3 hour after work ride that ended at night, it was really nice. It's warm and the sunset was beautiful, riding solo is my favorite, fast when I want it, slow when I'm tired, stops for snacks (dels lemonade). Side tracks to the beach or through the woods. Brought a book to read for few minutes while taking a break at a beach I like to stop at.

I like bicycles.

http://i975.photobucket.com/albums/ae236/bicycletricycle/3AF70E51-5FFB-49FA-95A8-D1ADC5CB1348_zpsnxw0kchy.jpg (http://s975.photobucket.com/user/bicycletricycle/media/3AF70E51-5FFB-49FA-95A8-D1ADC5CB1348_zpsnxw0kchy.jpg.html)

[pitonpat]

Across from Mystic Seaport, right?

I ride almost exclusively in the evening while the rest of the world is sitting down to dinner/couch/TV, etc. Since my son gave me a great bike light it has allowed me to ride after dark. I get quiet roads, beautiful sunsets, even rode home in a pleasant, cool rain Sunday night.

[Ken Robb]

Most of my rides are like this. My Riv Allrounder has Schmidt Dyno Hub so if I stay out after dark I'm ready. It reminds me of childhood rides on Chicago Summer nights. My Schwinn Traveler had a bottle generator/light system and the breeze felt really good since it was still 85F and humid at 8pm. :beer: OK, Mom and Dad were having beer on the front steps--I just got the breeze. OTOH some nights I'd get some $$ to buy ice cream for all at Hi-Toppers which was one block away and made their own ice cream on site. The next year I started working there for $.50 an hour and all the ice cream I wanted. :-)

[velomonkey]

Across from Mystic Seaport, right?


Great eye!!!!! You are correct, sir. That is the Charles W Morgan in the background and the Mystic River. I'm very fortunate that all my rides start and end there. Really a great road.

[velomonkey]

stops for snacks (dels lemonade). Side tracks to the beach or through the woods. Brought a book to read for few minutes while taking a break at a beach I like to stop at.


Anyone who doesn't get a Del's during the summer is missing out.

I read an interview with Svein Tuft and he said most of the same stuff. Always liked that dude.

[pinkshogun]

Del's watermelon is the schnizzle

[d_douglas]

I didn't ride alone tonight, but with a very fit friend fr work. It was a gorgeous night here and we climbed a bit but mostly bombed through quiet streets and chased each other (ok, mostly I chased him) along the roads with an ocean breeze - it was a perfect night of cycling :)

[velotel]

Evening rides after working on the house or in the garden, best way in the world to wrap up the day. Always come back feeling complete, laughing at how lucky I am to be where I am and still in good health and jamming on a bike. I love it, the light, the peacefulness, the sounds. Superb

[tiretrax]

I prefer riding very early or in the evening to avoid traffic. Best ride around here is the Midnight Massacre - 100k gravel ride starting at 8 pm.

[saf-t]

If I were riding along the river there, I'd be hard pressed not to take a fly rod with me. Lots of bass in there right now..........

[overmyhead]

My favorite time to ride. I love the smells of summer, tooling along in moist air around dusk is so peaceful. There's a beautiful old graveyard near us that I love to ride through. I've been frustrated trying to get a new road bike dialed in properly so got back to basics the other night and took the fixie out to clear my head. I could have ridden all night.

[BobbyJones]

I've literally ridden 97 miles for a Dels.

(You guys are killing me right about now...);)