Early morning riders any?
06-18-21, 07:57 AM
#26
Gunther20
Here in Minnesota the sunrise at the end of May is around 5:25 and the sunrise on June 21st is also around 5:25. I get into a great June routine but then have to adjust in July and August when sunrise gets later and later.
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06-18-21, 08:14 AM
#27
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Another risk to pre-dawn riding: Murderous trigger happy yahoos.
A kid near my neighborhood was murdered this week, gunned down by a driver who claimed the kid was breaking into cars. But the driver didn't hang around to wait for police and give a statement. He took off. The victim's friend described the incident.
Facebook commenters on the news story basically said the victim had it coming for daring to be out on the sidewalk or street at 4:45 a.m. Heck, when I was a kid my newspaper route started then.
When a couple of posters said it's normal for joggers and cyclists to start early to avoid the heat, one person responded joggers and cyclists need to stay indoors until after 7 a.m. and stay out of the way of "normal" people, otherwise they risk getting shot for "acting suspiciously."
Suits me anyway. I've tried starting out pre-dawn and the traffic and drivers get ugly very quickly around 5 a.m.
Yet another reason why I prefer to ride around midnight. Those "normal people" are in bed and out of my way. Even the drunks aren't as bad as "normal people" mesmerized by their cell phones and outsized sense of entitlement.
A kid near my neighborhood was murdered this week, gunned down by a driver who claimed the kid was breaking into cars. But the driver didn't hang around to wait for police and give a statement. He took off. The victim's friend described the incident.
Facebook commenters on the news story basically said the victim had it coming for daring to be out on the sidewalk or street at 4:45 a.m. Heck, when I was a kid my newspaper route started then.
When a couple of posters said it's normal for joggers and cyclists to start early to avoid the heat, one person responded joggers and cyclists need to stay indoors until after 7 a.m. and stay out of the way of "normal" people, otherwise they risk getting shot for "acting suspiciously."
Suits me anyway. I've tried starting out pre-dawn and the traffic and drivers get ugly very quickly around 5 a.m.
Yet another reason why I prefer to ride around midnight. Those "normal people" are in bed and out of my way. Even the drunks aren't as bad as "normal people" mesmerized by their cell phones and outsized sense of entitlement.
On times past that I ride the Trace, both California and Texas drivers are always notable for seeming the most annoyed for me enjoying my bike ride. Thankfully it usually isn't every time I'm on the Trace.
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06-18-21, 08:33 AM
#28
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I'm a morning person as well. I was awake at about 4AM today. I don't always ride early but I start putzing around getting stuff done. I work from home and usually try to be at my desk no later than 7AM.
06-18-21, 08:40 AM
#29
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I am not a morning person but some of my most memorable rides were when I woke up at 4:30 am and couldn't get back to sleep.
Things like riding through the morning mist gently lit by the sunrise, having a deer leap out of a stand of trees right over my front tire, and feeling like the songbirds are singing just for me, these things only seem to happen in the morning.
I generally ride in the evening after work, family is fed, and I am fully relaxed by time or some herbal enhancers. The problem is that my partner is a morning person, so I plan to start getting up with her for morning rides.
It was pissing rain this morning, though... maybe tomorrow.
Things like riding through the morning mist gently lit by the sunrise, having a deer leap out of a stand of trees right over my front tire, and feeling like the songbirds are singing just for me, these things only seem to happen in the morning.
I generally ride in the evening after work, family is fed, and I am fully relaxed by time or some herbal enhancers. The problem is that my partner is a morning person, so I plan to start getting up with her for morning rides.
It was pissing rain this morning, though... maybe tomorrow.
06-18-21, 09:00 AM
#30
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Wow, that IS early! My preferred time to ride is late afternoon, like 4:00pm. I really like to wind down my day that way, reward myself with a beer, nice dinner. But man, when it's 90-100 degrees like it has been lately it doesn't even cool down much by then. I need to embrace am riding!
06-18-21, 10:21 AM
#31
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Wow, that IS early! My preferred time to ride is late afternoon, like 4:00pm. I really like to wind down my day that way, reward myself with a beer, nice dinner. But man, when it's 90-100 degrees like it has been lately it doesn't even cool down much by then. I need to embrace am riding!
I am going to make another attempt to try to do early rides. Today I did an 8AM ride which is shockingly early for me.
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06-18-21, 02:24 PM
#32
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When I have a choice, I always set out at first light -- best time to ride.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
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06-18-21, 02:29 PM
#33
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I actually just got a helmet-mounted light so I can hit my fire roads and singletrack more safely in the dark!
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06-18-21, 05:40 PM
#34
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Before I retired, I had to be at work at 5:30AM, which meant leaving home on my bike by 4:30AM. Quiet streets, interesting wildlife riding through the nature preserve, sunrise over the lake, what's not to like?
Since retiring, I don't ride early as much as I used to, mostly when the forecast is for oppressive heat. There's something to be said for not waking to an alarm clock as well.
Since retiring, I don't ride early as much as I used to, mostly when the forecast is for oppressive heat. There's something to be said for not waking to an alarm clock as well.
06-18-21, 08:47 PM
#35
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I too am a morning person (not an early morning person) since I am out of bed by 7 and 7:30 at the latest. Then I have coffee and go out and walk the dog for an hour to an hour and a half. I will then have a late breakfast and hit the bike. No sun in my eyes or need for lights, except my flashing rear light. Got up at 5 for years and after I retired, I said enough of that s.
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06-19-21, 05:22 AM
#36
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I love riding in the morning. Cool, no traffic, and nice sunrises. Keep on riding.
06-20-21, 05:23 PM
#37
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Love riding in the mornings, just not that early. Usually leave the house around 9, after the rat race has subsided.
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06-30-21, 04:28 AM
#38
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I’m a team member of early am rides. Escaping the heat with an incredible sunrise is icing on the cake. I have always been a morning person so it works for me.
06-30-21, 05:24 AM
#39
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the best time of the day is when I am leaving my garage at 4:15 am. Pre-covid, i would ride 20 miles and try to get back home by 5:30 am. It was kind of a game.
I love watching the sun rise while riding. Post-covid ( yes I had it at Christmas, and have been vaccinated AND some strange respiratory issue I had in Feb 2020. That feb 20, illness damaged my lungs, I couldn't breath. Cycling has helped me regain my health, but I can't ride like i did pre-covid... at least not yet.) i don't ride quite as much as i did. The cooler temps is easier on my heart.
The only hazards is dodging wild animals that are out and about at that time of the morning.
I love watching the sun rise while riding. Post-covid ( yes I had it at Christmas, and have been vaccinated AND some strange respiratory issue I had in Feb 2020. That feb 20, illness damaged my lungs, I couldn't breath. Cycling has helped me regain my health, but I can't ride like i did pre-covid... at least not yet.) i don't ride quite as much as i did. The cooler temps is easier on my heart.
The only hazards is dodging wild animals that are out and about at that time of the morning.
06-30-21, 07:09 AM
#40
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I'm not sure if I'm considered a morning person because I don't get up and ride that early but when I go for my Sunday morning rides, I like to be out on the roads by 7am to avoid the traffic and people and all the other reasons listed above. I can't head out without something to eat and a biological break because I'm not heading out on a long ride before taking care of that business.
07-01-21, 04:00 AM
#41
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Have always been an "early riser," myself, since I can remember. My mind works better, body works better, and I feel stronger and more-efficient during hard physical activity then. Back in the day, I did distance running, and ~5-8am was always my preferred time of the day. Cooler, less traffic, less noise, rattlesnakes aren't generally out on trails at such times ... the list goes on.
With cycling, I tend to be a morning rider as well. For all the same reasons, though I don't do hard "performance" exercise anymore. Mostly a commuter and general exerciser, these days.
During the winter months, I often do afternoon activities instead, given how frigid the morning can be. But otherwise, I tend to stick to the morning schedule.
With cycling, I tend to be a morning rider as well. For all the same reasons, though I don't do hard "performance" exercise anymore. Mostly a commuter and general exerciser, these days.
During the winter months, I often do afternoon activities instead, given how frigid the morning can be. But otherwise, I tend to stick to the morning schedule.
07-01-21, 02:59 PM
#42
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I watch the weather reports, and if it is going to be above 95, I do my riding in the morning. Attho I really dont mind the heat too much. OTOH I hate riding when it is cold. and by cold I mean anything below 60. If it is around 60 I put on a sweat shirt. I hate riding all bundled up. I especially do not like riding without being in shorts.
07-01-21, 06:40 PM
#43
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I'm with the OP. I usually get up about 4am, drink coffee for an hr and either ride or get to work. Nothing better than a Sunday am road ride starting before 5:30am, No Traffic! The roads are mine. Sometimes I'll drive an hour or so to ride. Get in 30 miles and am work while coworkers are just getting going. Above someone mentioned riding at 4pm, if you gotta do it ok, but that's the worst traffic of the day. I also like early morning because it gives me the whole day to recover and enjoy the post ride fatigue. Another plus of course I have more time in the day to do regular things and spend time with my wife, (on weekends). Of course I couldn't live my schedule w/o it having time for a post lunch nap everyday.
07-04-21, 09:24 PM
#44
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That low sun angle is one of the reasons I dislike riding when the sun is rising or setting. It can blind a lot of drivers, and although there probably aren't many out on the roads at that time of day, those that are are most likely sleepy and, with the sun in their windshield, may not see you until it's too late (if at all).
Being retired, I see absolutely no reason to get up at 4 AM unless I have to go to the bathroom. Sleeping in, to me, is one of the retirement benefits I've earned after many years of getting up early to get to work.
Being retired, I see absolutely no reason to get up at 4 AM unless I have to go to the bathroom. Sleeping in, to me, is one of the retirement benefits I've earned after many years of getting up early to get to work.
BUT, the fact that I live in the western portion of the Eastern Time Zone has made me a bit spoiled. Today 6:00a sunrise, 9:05p sunset.
Last edited by Cougrrcj; 07-04-21 at 09:31 PM.
07-04-21, 10:06 PM
#45
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It is really beautiful to ride at sunrise and sunset. Especially to see the sun on the horizon. Its like you are ridding into it.
But that is not safe. When you are ridding into the sun, and those shadows are long, the cars just can't see ya.
Of course now days I am mostly on the small gravel. But then I can't see worth a damn either.
OK... So I ride mid-day. At least I still can get in a ride.
But that is not safe. When you are ridding into the sun, and those shadows are long, the cars just can't see ya.
Of course now days I am mostly on the small gravel. But then I can't see worth a damn either.
OK... So I ride mid-day. At least I still can get in a ride.
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07-12-21, 09:48 PM
#46
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If I dont get out early in Az, I should put on BBQ sauce instead of sunscreen
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07-18-21, 08:32 AM
#47
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Early morning loops on Harbor Island.
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07-19-21, 03:02 PM
#48
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07-19-21, 07:43 PM
#49
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Yeah, let's add good pictures to this thread. Nothing nicer than a great shot of a sunrise or sunset!
07-19-21, 09:53 PM
#50
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Almost all of my rides start before the sun comes up. I live in the L.A. suburbs and much prefer to ride before there is a lot of traffic. It is much cooler this time of the year as well, which is a plus when the temps hit triple digits. I also like starting the day with something I enjoy a great deal.