Noonievut

I wasn’t sure where to post this but as I’ll be riding a drop bar mountain bike on these rides, I figured this sub-forum is good as any.

99% of my rides (mixed surface or road) have been in the morning. Weekdays before work, weekend starts by 7:30am.

Family dynamics have changed and I now have a lot of time after dinner. So I may give riding after dinner a shot. That or I sit and binge tv, and more beer than ideal. Sun is setting 8ish these days and getting earlier. I’m used to riding in the dark and using lights (early morning rides in fall, winter), but this will be a change as things get darker not brighter.

I’ll probably start on the narrow tree covered trails and finish up on roads and sidewalks when it’s close to dark outside.

Do you ride in the evenings, if so I would like to hear about your experiences as some motivation as I get started with this change. Thanks!

Eric F 

I have a local loop that I call "Happy Hour". It's about 9 miles, and takes me just under an hour of ride time, starting and ending with a little pavement. The prominent uphill feature of the loop is a 2.5mi, 8% avg dirt climb, with a nice view at the top where people tend to gather and chat. There are a few different ways to get off the hill, but usual route down is a mix of mild to moderate singletrack, and some short sections of fireroad. Most often, I'll ride my MTB, but I frequently ride my gravel bike on the same route, depending on how I'm feeling and which bike is calling my name that day. The climb is challenging (25-30min), but not soul-crushing. The downhill has some demanding spots, and is a ton of fun. The ride never fails to leave me feeling good.

These days, I'm starting at 5:30 on weekdays after work. I'll shift to a 5:00 start time when I start running out of daylight, and push that as long as I can. I haven't made the jump to get good lights for that kind of riding yet, but it might happen this fall.

A recent Happy Hour on my gravel bike - enjoying the evening shade on a hot afternoon....

Noonievut

‘Tonight’s’ ride was interesting:
- felt tired at the start; I’m a morning person and like riding after I wake up rested. After working all day, I’m tired. But I felt better as the ride went on
- twice the number of people on the trail, even when it was nearly dark
- lighting up the trail gives it texture, and branches and leaves look like all sorts of scary!

It was a lot darker than the photos show. On the trails, at the end of the ride, I wouldn’t want it any darker. Now I know for future.

mstateglfr 

I dont get much time to ride at all during weeknights in August thru October- HS volleyball coaching takes up every day after work for 2-5 hours depending on if its practice or a match, so I end up spending what little evening free time at home. With that said, when everyone else happens to be busy during an evening, I will absolutely then jump on my gravel bike and do a 20mi mixed surface loop. 60% paved 40% gravel.

75min later I am home and usually not rolling in after others are back, so it works great.
Launch between 7 and 730, home between 815 and 9. Mostly light out, the last bit is dark, and its all fun.