Yearly Archives: 2008
27 posts
Yesterday it rained, snowed, and sleeted so everything is encased in a thin layer of frozen slush. The next couple of days are supposed to bring more of the same so I figured that I’d get in some form of riding.
It was 26º F and pitch black out, but my new lights and multiple layers of lycra, thermal underwear, and Gore Tex, were doing the job. I only did 10 miles on gravel path but it was worth the potential frost bite to get out on the bike.
A fox ran across the path about 10 yards in front of me. There was also a pack of giant Yeti running through the woods. It could have been that the frozen leaves made some deer sound really big, but when you’re riding alone in the woods at night they might as well have been giant Yeti. Besides, my bike lights caught their beady eyes peering from the trees. They were Yeti – and not the cool blue kind from Colorado.
It’s called Fall with good reason.
Less daylight means more night riding. Add leaf-covered, wet, slippery roots and rocks, and you have the increased potential for Falling.
But darkness makes me ride better. Not being able to see as well means that I can’t get picky with lines to take. It forces me to keep my body relaxed and moving forward.
If I ride a trail at night, and then ride that same trail during the day, I feel like I’m riding faster. Being alone in the woods, with an 8+ year-old light system and hearing Blair Witch noises also makes me ride faster.
The Pennsylvania Trail Hands will be performing trail maintenance at French Creek Park in Elverson, Pa
- Visit the PaTH website for more info
We won’t have any candles or incense, but we will have Velo Shirts and Velo Logo Hats for sale. Come to Skippack Pa from 10 AM to 5 PM and look for the Bikrocosm tent near 4079 Skippack Pike.