I was nervous. It snowed on Sunday and the snow has yet to be cleared from the side path. Around here, cyclists are a rare thing and at night, they're even more rare. So I was feeling a bit worried that taking the lane at night was going to end in disaster.

It turns out, my only worry occurred during the daylight portion of my ride. A car was in my lane and was trying to get around both the car next to it and me. When it finally got around the car next to it, the car that suddenly appeared behind it had to hit the brakes hard.

But the night portion of my ride was different. Factors definitely included less traffic but they were still hauling ass on a 45 mph road but pulling into the next lane with plenty of road to spare and no "near misses." I'm wondering if the lack of streetlights had something to do with this. Was I actually more visible without other lights distracting drivers? Has anyone else noticed poor behavior around you during sections of heavily lit road but good behavior when the road is dark?

To wrap it up, commuting in sub 20 degree temps, with a snowy blanket of white, and perfectly clear skies is something that shouldn't be missed. I'm going to be sad once the weather starts warming up.