My Halloween Ride In
10-31-11 | 12:34 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Tortoise Wins by a Hare!
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 7,393
Likes: 945
From: Looney Tunes, IL
Bikes: Wabi Special FG, Raleigh Roper, Nashbar AL-1, Miyata One Hundred, '70 Schwinn Lemonator and More!!
My Halloween Ride In
I leave the house when it is still fully dark and rarely see other cyclists on my commute, so I’m always excited when I do. About 10 minutes in while traveling though a quiet section, I noticed a bike ahead of me with unusual looking lights. Since I wanted to say Hi, and have a chance to get a better look at this persons light set-up, I stepped up the pace a little.
As I was closing in I could see the rider was an older gentleman, his bike an English style 3 speed also plenty of years old. I run a bright headlight with a decent amount of throw, so was quite surprised when the rider never looked back, even as I slowly caught up and my headlight beam overtook him. When I was nearly alongside and called out “Good Morning” he didn’t even look over or reply to me! Total snub job and quite unusual, especially for a non-roadie.
“I ride this route several days a week. That’s a nice light set-up you have there” I said, hoping he would tell me all about it as we continued on together. Instead, much to my surprise and dismay, still absolutely no reply. At this point I figured it would probably be best if I separated myself from this person who obviously wanted nothing to do with me. Slightly miffed at being totally snubbed, I say “Oh well, have a good ride” and ramp up the pace, taking the lead. As I do this I glance in my mirror just a few seconds later and he is gone! Just gone! There wasn't even a cross street or driveway to turn onto!
I never was able to detect the type of light(s) he was running that could produce such an eerie glow, and the fact that he seemed to just “vanish” astonished me enough to leave me tingling.
Then it dawned on me. I had just passed the cemetery! Could it be?
As I was closing in I could see the rider was an older gentleman, his bike an English style 3 speed also plenty of years old. I run a bright headlight with a decent amount of throw, so was quite surprised when the rider never looked back, even as I slowly caught up and my headlight beam overtook him. When I was nearly alongside and called out “Good Morning” he didn’t even look over or reply to me! Total snub job and quite unusual, especially for a non-roadie.
“I ride this route several days a week. That’s a nice light set-up you have there” I said, hoping he would tell me all about it as we continued on together. Instead, much to my surprise and dismay, still absolutely no reply. At this point I figured it would probably be best if I separated myself from this person who obviously wanted nothing to do with me. Slightly miffed at being totally snubbed, I say “Oh well, have a good ride” and ramp up the pace, taking the lead. As I do this I glance in my mirror just a few seconds later and he is gone! Just gone! There wasn't even a cross street or driveway to turn onto!
I never was able to detect the type of light(s) he was running that could produce such an eerie glow, and the fact that he seemed to just “vanish” astonished me enough to leave me tingling.
Then it dawned on me. I had just passed the cemetery! Could it be?
11-01-11 | 01:20 PM
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
Maybe you distracted him and he fell over breaking his lights in the process. Or maybe he only had reflectors and it was your bright light you saw glowing off his bike. 
Was the bike silent? I don't think ghosts need to lube their chain.
Was the bike silent? I don't think ghosts need to lube their chain.
11-01-11 | 02:20 PM
#9
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 591
Likes: 0
From: Long Beach, Ca.
Bikes: Raleigh Sojourn, '67 Raleigh Super Course, old Gary Fisher Mamba, and a generic Chinese folder
You think that was scary? I got home, picked up my cell phone, and there was a message from my ex-wife...I still have chills...
