Night Riding: Thrill Seeking & the Shroud of Darkness

By Gary J. Boulanger

August 2001 Spoke `N' Link (DCC newsletter)

When was the last time you had a thrilling experience? Have you ever considered summer night riding? If not, I have a gaggle of reasons to try it.

First, for many of us with a full calendar of family, neighborhood, church and other social events, night riding is a wonderful alternative. Friday nights are the best because Saturday mornings usually mean sleeping in for some people. On Friday night the workday is done, the family is settled in, and once the clock strikes 10 p.m., you’re out the door and on your bike! It may seem a little wacky at first, but think about the benefits: less traffic, cooler weather, and the chance to catch up with friends.

Recently, Bike Miami Valley began its “Urban Night Ride” series on Friday nights. We meet at the corner of Patterson Boulevard And River Park Drive near the Dayton Marriott at 10 p.m., and roll out onto the River Corridor Bikeway at 10:10 p.m. The group cajoles, pedals and spelunks its way around the Dayton area until midnight or so. The fun is multi-faceted, of course, from the routes we take, the conversation we share, to the bikes we ride.

My buddy Howard (at-home dad, research scientist and bike junkie) rolls out his early `70s steel lugged Peugeot, dubbed “Iron Maiden” for all the crap he’s added to it: homemade lighting system with two six-pound batteries, fenders, bells, and an assortment of “flair” to keep us amused. My other pal Richard (ace moto, auto, and bike mechanic, father and certified bike junkie) usually pulls out his steel Davidson single speed, complete with riser bars, slick Continental tires and a clear VistaLite headlight.

For many of us certified bike junkies who’ve raced, built and rebuilt bikes, night riding is almost an escape from reality, much unlike most daytime rides. Daytime group rides sometimes become testosterone fests of strength (not that there’s anything wrong with that, time to time), whereas night rides are always social. The wonderful shroud of darkness seems to be the great equalizer (that, and the fact that most people don’t know where they going at night, especially on the bike trails along the river). And yes, we do talk about things other than bikes. Sometimes.

Give night riding a consideration, won’t you? It won’t add to your fitness base (nor will it take away from it, either), but it’ll surely expand your world a little bit more. Who knows, you might even meet someone new for a change. Or get that thrill you’ve been missing in your life.

For more information on the Bike Miami Valley Urban Night Ride series, contact Boulanger at garyb@bikemiamivalley.org or call 937-463-2707.




Two Wheels, One Voice.