iab

Stupid fall back.

It's dark now at 5:00pm and I don't ride in the dark, too dangerous for my blood. Commuting is over until about March 1 when we spring forward.

I'll be setting up the trainer tonight.

The trainer sucks.

lasauge 

No morning or weekend daytime rides?

marley mission

shoogar - if i didnt ride in the dark - i wouldnt ride at all - give it a try - you jussssssssst mide like it

canyoneagle

I actually prefer riding in the dark. A good dynamo and good lighting make everything dandy in the dark times.

Give that trainer some hell now.

Rootman

Yeah, sucks royally. In a largely urban society I don't see the need of it. This weekend I was cruising around racking up as many miles as I could enjoying the weather and the scenery.

It's barely daylight when I leave for work and practically dusk when I leave to go home. So it's weekends holidays and days off for me till spring too.

well biked

For commuting, I actually feel safer after dark because there's no way I'm gonna blend in like I might in the daylight. My rig is lit up like an over-built, flashing emergency beacon. But I do year ya.....the early darkness generally sucks.

iab

Weekend yes.

Morning no. I don't want to get up an hour earlier. I need my beauty sleep.


As for the dark, it is my perception that even with lights, I would be less visible than the day. And i get enough close calls with traffic in the day. My perception is my reality and that is too great of risk for me. If you ride in the dark, you just have a bigger pair than me. Must be all of the testosterone patches I applied down there.

ftwelder

When I lived in Phoenix, you could finally ride outdoors at this time of year.

I have some snow bike wheels... I should build one.

I watched Puy De Dome stage of the 86 TDF yesterday while riding the spin bike. I follow this guy. Largely due to the consistent quality an 17-25 min clips. I shoot for two per session. I actually like indoor riding quite a bit while watching racing videos. I can't do it otherwise.

https://www.youtube.com/user/chickasm...ure=g-high-rec

pastorbobnlnh 

I'm bummed. Here in NH it's dark by 4:30 now, and will be by 3:45 or so by the end of the month. Add winter ice and snow to the mix, and the opportunities to ride become limited.

I was spotted by church members on Friday evening after dark. They said my lights and hi vis reflectorized jersey made me easy to spot. That's good to know.

RobbieTunes

I try to drink less in the winter.
Doesn't work, but I say I try.

RobbieTunes

You sure they weren't just targeting?

eja_ bottecchia

I agree the trainer sucks. Not even bikini-clad cheerleaders, cheering me on could make the ordeal more palatable.

wahoonc

Add lights and ride on. I ride year round as well as day or night.

Aaron

gomango

My wife was just admonishing me for riding in the dark after work.

I don't mind the dark, but wet, slippery leaves are another matter entirely.

I guess it's time to set up her treadmill and the computrainer.

When it comes down to it, I don't want her out there rising life and limb either.

elguicho 

I'm actually glad the time changed, it's much easier getting out of bed at 6 am to ride when it doesn't look like midnight. I'm setting up the rollers this week but I will try to keep going out for at least short 10-mile-rides in the morning.

jon c. 

Not even bikini-clad cheerleaders, cheering me on could make the ordeal more palatable.

I've never used a trainer and probably won't ever try it, but under the above scenario I might give it a thought.

Living in a rural area, I fear night riding not because I can't be seen (I think I can be seen better at night with lights than on a bright sunny day), but because I can't see the road well enough. Sticks disappear into shadows and furry creatures dashing out from the roadside can't be seen until they're under wheel.

jyl

I ride to work and on errands 12 months of the year, rain or shine. This time of year, I go into work in darkness, at 5:15 am. I have three blinking red tailights including one on the helmet, a white blinker and two very bright lights up front including a torch of a spotlight on the helmet that can light up the entire cabin of an approaching car if I think he hasn't seen me. I think I am at least as visible at night, as I am in the day. Which is imperfect visibility in both cases, so I'm as paranoid at night as in day.

But I hear you about not wanting to get up and go out in the dark raining cold weekend mornings for a "fun ride". I did it all last year, got pretty tired of my Saturday and Sunday mornings feeling just like my Monday mornings. So this year I have joined a gym and am doing the spin class 2X or 3X week. I am still learning how to make the spin class work for me as a cyclist with 49 y/o knees, since it is primarily taught for tight, bouncy girls half my age who are happy to pop in and out of the saddle while doing pushups on the bars . . . But if the instructor's commands are not entirely useful, the scenery makes up for it.

curbtender

Hour later... But either way it's dark. I enjoy it, but I'm not dealing with snow .

canyoneagle

A good headlight makes a world of difference.

thinktubes 

Yeah, same here. Took the lock off the bike rack at work tonight and brought it home for the winter.

Spin classes and gym for the next few months unless we get some nice weekends or breaks in the wx.

Right now, I'm 18 miles away from a mileage goal, so I'll have to sneak in at least one more weekend ride

Vefer

LOL! I sent an email to my son this afternoon complaining that it's pitch black at 5:05! I have lights, and I do ride at night, but the Forest Preserves close at sunset so no more after work trail rides. :-( I have 1 bike on a trainer all the time. Another one is pointed out the door for emergency rides. I watch TV and ride. It's just part of living in Chicago. I have a day off next Wednesday & it's supposed to be 50, so I'm going somewhere and riding, ALL DAY, just because - It's coming. Snow and dark.

Sixty Fiver

It is just beginning...



We get less than 7 hours of daylight when winter is at it's worst... a little darkness is not going to stop me from riding.

Drillium Dude 

How ironic this thread comes up today - I just got back from about 15 miles in the dark tonight!

BTW, anyone know whether or not those little Knog lights are supposed to light up the road or simply give oncoming traffic a glimpse of you? Mine didn't seem to throw much light on the subject...

DD

canyoneagle

Those are minimalist "be seen" blinkies only

Chicago Al 

The Miyata is going on the trainer again, maybe tomorrow. The Motobecane will stand by for breaks in the weather. Last winter while on the trainer, I got through all five seasons of 'The Wire,' and loved it. This winter, maybe 'Breaking Bad.' I would watch racing videos but have been spoiled...only really want to watch them if they are well shot, in HD, and have Paul and Phil doing the commentary.