The past two evenings I’ve found myself on the road at night and with it a renewed appreciation of riding. Many riders tell me they don’t ride at night — too dangerous, too cold, or no fun. I read in riding books about the misguided riders who venture forth at night, in the rain, or in cold weather.
Make no mistake; the risk of riding at night is greater than it is during the day.
This evening I was sitting at the traffic light at the corner of Allen Street and Beaver Avenue in State College, Pennsylvania looking at the Christmas lights when I turned off the engine and pushed the Vespa up onto the sidewalk to make this picture. And to look a bit longer at the lights. Just long enough to be on my way before finding out that there is a law against having the scooter posing for pictures on the sidewalk.
Off into the night, a changing pattern of color and light as I made my way home, a visual treat that just doesn’t exist during the day.
The night before I rode to the grocery store for supplies — empty streets and a quiet parking lot. The night air was crisp but not cold at 42F. What struck me most was the tapestry of fragrances arise from the darkness offering an experience unique to the night.
Riding home through the smell of charred meat at the steakhouse and on past gasoline fumes from a busy island of gas pumps. Passing through a tony section of State College my helmet filled with the acrid smell of coal — someone burning coal for some unfathomable reason in a neighborhood. I remembered the same smell from childhood driving through less tony neighborhoods in Mckees Rocks and Coraopolis.
Passing into the sticks I was greeted by the unmistakable smell of fermenting liquid cow manure from a nearby dairy farm, the farmer no doubt adding or withdrawing from a lagoon and releasing a reminder of food production.
At some point I shuddered for a moment, just a bit of excitement from my senses being roused to life, realizing (again) at how powerful a ride can be. Walking into the house, skin warm, eyes bright and a spring in my step I was sure a grin was painted on my face.
All courtesy of a simple night ride.
Almost made me want to go for a night ride, but being in a “big city”, the traffic-related danger factors are higher….the plains become vast expanses of darkness beyond the range of one’s headlights….now, if it was snowing, perhaps!
Good posting Steve
Dom
Redleg’s Rides
Colorado Motorcycle Travel Examiner
I love going for evening rides. When I first got my scoot I would go for hours in the evening. I usually waited until it was full on dark because I find it harder for people to see me at dusk. With the right reflective gear night riding is fun. The smells at night are different than during the day. I love the smell of wood smoke and that crispness to fall air.
Riding in the dark!? What’s that all about?
The only time I get to do much riding in the dark is at the very end of the riding season. It was still dark in the morning. For the majority of our riding season, it’s not dark.
I love the lighting in those shots, and I particularly like the first one. It’s the colour of the Vespa that really pops in the photo (who knew that you could make grey pop?) and the contrast of the traffic seeming to fly past, with the Vespa standing still but still seeming alive and poised to move on. All together it creates the most contemplative mood that is in perfect harmony with the prose. I’m stuck in the office at 7:12 p.m. and more or less fed up, and that picture is just so soothing. Thanks Steve.
Charlie6: I thought our night ride was pretty tame. You just want to sit home and drink beer at night.
Thanks for stopping by and offering some kind words.
Dar: Sounds as if you know the night ride well!
RichardM: I think I need to add disclaimers for readers from Alaska. And Mars. Everything is different for you guys.
When are you going to take delivery of a new URAL? You know you want one.
David Masse: I wish I had more time (and patience) to shoot at night. The little point and shoot camera isn’t the best tool for the job either and the thought of using a tripod makes me groan. These turned out ok though.
If the post gets you out of the end of the long day doldrum that’s a good thing right??
Riding on cold and clear nights is one of the great pleasures of life.
It’s also the perfect time to see and admire the cheer of Christmas lights.
I have a meeting tonight a half hour north of me. By good fortune it will be cold and clear. Yee freakin’ haw!
By the way, what law do you violate by simply pushing the Vespa onto the sidewalk for a bit? It’s not like you’re riding it. Or are you! 🙂
Hi:
Here’s a challange for you: please describe the smell of burning coal. I grew up in California, and have lived the last 50 years in Arizona. I didn’t know coal smoke had its own smell (fragrance?).