Whenever I get a chance I'll hop on the bike path to get off the main road for a bit. We have three little sections that add up to 6 miles which is better than any of the surrounding towns. Todays ride was earlier than normal because I had a funeral I had to go to around noon. I even got a chance to go on a section that I stay away from because it can be very congested. I even stopped and took a look at the Bowling Center I owned in the early 2000's, great memories. Always great just getting out on the bike.

Cool gloves what are they?
Old school splatter

The local MUT can be quite busy early in the morning here in Sacramento: Deer, Turkey, coyote... got be careful going around those blind corners!

our trail is busy early in the morning. you are lucky. runners are everyplace as soon as the suns up. Always thought that was a good thing though. More people on the trail the more people care about the trail and further development

I love being off on the bike by myself. What a great feeling. Central MA. Near Quabbin?

I guess I just luck out. While I am never "alone" on my MUPs, outside of a couple hundred yards around each parking area, it is never really that busy where I don't feel comfortable going all out. Dedicated parks are another matter, but the linear rail trails are vast enough there simply aren't that many people around me at any given time.

I don't mind a little traffic from pedestrians and other cyclists, but, the crews who do the upkeep will park/drive anywhere and are starting to become bothersome.

You owned a bowling alley? Awesome!

Yes old school splatter custom made.

More like the top of Central Mass about 5 miles from Rindge, NH border. I do ride out toward the Quabbin every now and then.

a fun It was a fun time, and lots of great memories.

Early morning is really the only good time to be on a trail.

I've been on sections of the Trans Canada Trail in Ontario and Quebec early morning and it's amazing. The only problem with such a long trail is that to get back you have to ride the same section out and back, unless you get off and navigate the roads to get back.

What are y'all classifying as "early?" If you don't need a headlight, it's not early. I've had mornings where I'm on the river trail for over 40 miles before I see another bicycle.

Would make for less interesting video though, for sure.

Beautiful scenery that's for sure, those brakes were noisy though, forgot how noisy old fashioned rim brakes can be.

On the Silver Comet Trail here in Georgia, the first rider on the trail each morning breaks all the spider webs.

Proper early. Did see one other cyclist, with a headlight so bright I thought for sure a dirt bike was coming at me. He was not faffing about.



Made it home before sunrise.

pretty fun to have a trail all to yourself early in the morning. reminds me of the empty road ahead thread

I agree with those who say if not using headlights... it's not really early.

This time of year, yes.

But depending what time of year and where you are makes a big difference. We have civil twilight at 4:30 and sunrise at just after 5 on midsummer here in VT. Even to me (normal 5:30 riser, at work by 7), that's early.

My daughter interned at UA/Fairbanks one summer. They have 6 weeks where it never gets any darker than civil twilight, so you could ride 24/7 without a headlight (practically speaking - not sure what the law is there).

Wait, late June/early July it's light enough out at 5AM without a light. That's plenty early! Now, however, still need a light at 6:30, and most of my commute is in darkness.

Hey, I was coming the other way at Dockweiler! You just didn't see me cowering from your headlights.

haha, charged my light Friday night cuz I thought I would be riding in the dark Sat. AM, but arrived (6:23 am) at the trail head just after sunrise (6:15 am) so left the light in the car when I started at 6:45 am ... almost! guess I shudda checked the time the sun rose, duh

LED lights and rain gear have been the best recent investments I've made for cycling.

It's much safer to ride my 10 mile route in my hometown early the morning before school traffic. I bought two sets of NiteRider lights last fall and it's been great. I start my ride at 6am, wake up at 5:30. Yes... during June and July, the sun is peeking through at 6am... but now it's dark until 7am.

It rains here just about every day in April and May... so rain gear and fenders have also been a good investment.