Graveyard Shift Ride
I made my first commute to my graveyard shift job tonight. I was interesting riding at 10pm on a Sunday evening. The streets were very quiet and things were calm. It won't be like that in the morning. It's about 12 miles each way. I missed out on bike to work week last week. The weather and my schedule just didn't come together. This week is different, forecast is clear all week and no appointments or meetings. I might make it all five nights.
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I work four nights this week, but I leave for work at 5:00 p.m. and leave work at 6:00 a.m. - busy both ways. If this is your first time commuting at these hours, try to choose a less-travelled route as folks are coming home from the bars between 10:00 and 2:00 and depending on when you get off, the morning commute is beginning. Welcome to the Graveyard Club!
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The route in is fairly easy and lightly traveled, not the same for the return trip. But now it will be light and it shouldn't be a problem. I'm looking forward to it.
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I have done those rides before, cussed metro closing at midnight in DC. I enjoy it now that its warmed up, but I hate long-ish rides during winter nights.
+1 welcome to the graveyard shift riding club |
I love my 2nd shift 3:30-12:30 very little traffic going in or going home and I can get stuff done before going in to work. Plus no lines anywhere.
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Originally Posted by Toddorado
(Post 8937238)
I work four nights this week, but I leave for work at 5:00 p.m. and leave work at 6:00 a.m. - busy both ways. If this is your first time commuting at these hours, try to choose a less-travelled route as folks are coming home from the bars between 10:00 and 2:00 and depending on when you get off, the morning commute is beginning. Welcome to the Graveyard Club!
Apart from that there is something great in watching everyone going to work when your on your way to bed. :thumb: |
Well a 10pm'r to 8am'r here four days a week. If you are new to the late late night shifts after a while you become used to them. I have more problems with people driving at night compared to the morning (though not that often). It seems like people will deliberately try to do stuff under the anonymity of night compared to the bustling morning commute to work. Of course being able to see all 5'9" 240#'s (solid) of me might deter some people compared to those dazzling syncopated lights.
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night rides are the best. I never feel as close to my bike as I do at night
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I love night rides - you get the whole street to yourself, and you have headlights to serve as an early warning system for cars. Just avoid intoxicated folk and you'll be alright!
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The ride home this morning was without drama, as was the return to work ride tonight. I'm certainly looking forward to more. I didn't realize until yesterday how heavy my lunch and coffee is, the stainless tell thermos was a killer. I left it at home tonight and made coffee here. The company stuff is not as good as my mail order brand, but the backpack was certainly lighter.
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No doubt on the lunch issue. I sometimes make the trip to work on an off day with four days of food to stick in the fridge so I don't have to carry the load.
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I live too close to my job to bother riding in. Its literally next door! Bu the hours are great for riding during the day.
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I find that good coffee is worth importing into work - good for you if you're willing to give it up to enable the bike-commute, though!
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I might bring a bag of my ground coffee, I'm not really rocking the house brand. About the only thing worse than bad coffee is no coffee.
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+1 graveyard!
10pm to 9am twice a week. enjoy, night biking is the best! |
Man, I just CANNOT work 11-7's. I'm a Nurse. I can do it once in a while, but after about three days in a row, I get sick.... How ya'll do it, I just don't know. The commutes are easy though, aren't they?
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Coffee = Goodness. I drink two or three cups, and I have to limit myself because I like coffee more than I like beer. Last cup usually six hours before I ride home.
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One word of wisdom, nighttime rider:
DiNotte. |
I remember a serene night filled with stars, the quiet of a fixed drivetrain, and glistening snow gently falling all around me. Snowflakes sparkled like tiny diamonds, illuminated by the moon's countenance. It ended, as it had begun, in silence. I, speechless and breathless, rode slowly while jewel-covered roads prompted my tires to roll silently homeward.
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I've been working 11-7 for about 5 years. I love the ride in to work - there's nothing like having the road to myself.
-DR |
Originally Posted by Toddorado
(Post 8948806)
Coffee = Goodness. I drink two or three cups, and I have to limit myself because I like coffee more than I like beer. Last cup usually six hours before I ride home.
I brought my my own coffee in tonight and a made a pot here. I didn't want to drink their stuff again. This is better. My first pot is a little weak, I have to get used to their industrial service size thermal pumper pots. The next one will be better, something to look forward to. |
Originally Posted by deanp
(Post 8950097)
I have to get used to their industrial service size thermal pumper pots.
-DR http://www.bodumusa.com/shop/images_.../1543_01_a.jpg |
Originally Posted by scattered73
(Post 8938248)
I love my 2nd shift 3:30-12:30 very little traffic going in or going home and I can get stuff done before going in to work. Plus no lines anywhere.
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I worked graveyard for 6yrs
then worked the evening shift 2-11pm for another 8yrs. in those days, i did a lot of riding at night. |
I'm about to leave for a 4AM-12:30PM shift; does that count? Starting today I'll be doing these twice a week, along with some 6AM shifts (which I'm more used to). I don't anticipate much traffic, but I still plan on lighting up the night.
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Originally Posted by dciskey
(Post 8950464)
I'm about to leave for a 4AM-12:30PM shift; does that count? Starting today I'll be doing these twice a week, along with some 6AM shifts (which I'm more used to). I don't anticipate much traffic, but I still plan on lighting up the night.
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I only work half a day. It just depends on which 12 hrs. I do a rotating shift. So, its either 6am-630pm or 6pm to 630am. I enjoy the rides at night the most. I do have and recommend 4 to 5 lights on back and 2 in front. The only traffic issues I have had were cars pulling out from side streets. They really did not see me until I got the 2nd light on front and angled it to the side roads in the flash mode.
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The latest I've consistently headed home for has been 8:30. I briefly had a meeting that finished at 10 which I rode from a couple of times, but I soon ended up driving to accompany someone who didn't want to walk in the dark to the parking lot. Besides the reduced traffic, what I like best about night riding is having the opportunity to make use of good lights.
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Originally Posted by uke
(Post 8950951)
The latest I've consistently headed home for has been 8:30. I briefly had a meeting that finished at 10 which I rode from a couple of times, but I soon ended up driving to accompany someone who didn't want to walk in the dark to the parking lot. Besides the reduced traffic, what I like best about night riding is having the opportunity to make use of good lights.
I also love my Dinotte 140 rear light............anyone who hits me is aiming for me................ Here in Northern New England I think the way to fight the cold, long dark nights and SAD (seasonal affective disorder) is to carpe the darkness and do athletics in the dark. In the winter I XC ski when it is dark-with a headlamp (unless there is a full moon)...............Makes all the difference for me............ |
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