With the days shortening the chances that I’ll be on the road after dark have increased. The drop in light levels parallel a drop in temperature. It was 71F when I rode into town just after sunset and 90 minutes later it was 62F. Glad I decided not to wear the mesh summer riding jacket. In a few more weeks there will be few motorcycles on the street at night.
After a few errands and chores I had one last stop to make at a pizza joint to bring home a few snacks. While the ride was uneventful I’m starting to gird myself for the coming cold weather. I try and ease myself into the season much like I do getting into cold water for a swim — easy does it. Before long I’ll scoff at sub-freezing weather and think these chilly rides with the thermometer in the 60s is positively balmy.
Ride in the non-light periods of the current 24 hours, and you soon realize you are not in the landscape, rather part of the existence that is the landscape. Geographic features tend to not exist at a distance rather they appear only in the swath of illumination of the front headlamp. And then you don’t always “see” the world around you passing. Your mind reminds you of what is around you in daylight, however not so, in darkness.
Lovely pictures! Riding at night can be a fun adventure – there’s lots of things that look so different after dark. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Things do look different after dark. Riding is a great way to experience them.
Riding in the moonlight or when the aurora is out is wonderful and I look forward to it. But those conditions only exist around here when there is also snow on the ground.
Good thing you have the sidecar. Makes winter riding in the dark slightly more reasonable.
Night riding is invigorating. Part of it is the danger. For myself, I add extra lighting to my scoots. It helps with visibility. It doesn’t fix the problem entirely, but it helps.
I’ve always been impressed with the high beam headlight of my GTS. Seems more powerful than my cars. Really reaches out into the night.