Leaving town this evening I felt the night calling. I love riding at night though seldom do it other than a quick errand. Books on riding technique and safety say no to the night. Still it calls. A half moon was already high in the sky and the air was just beginning to cool. But dinner and good sense sent me home.
Just before midnight Kim and I were in the garden watering plants. The moon was glowing through the bows of the fir trees and she commented on how nice it was outside. I couldn’t stand it any longer. I hadn’t put the Vespa away when I got home so it only took a moment to be on the road, the GTS’s bright, red instrument cluster warm like a fire as I began a short ride. I only needed a mile, maybe two, and I would be satisfied.
One last stop for a picture and then home, relaxed, content, awash in the magic of the night. How is it something so simple can be so luxurious?
The time for a ride at night is when the system just tells you to do it. And the ability of one to do so makes it all so much better. Trust you slept well.
The midnight ride could be fraught with encounteers with creatures of the night yet you were one and the same and contended; and isn’t that what it is all about?
Nice pictures. I love riding at night. Somehow all the senses are different. Usually less traffic also. I don’t mind that at all.
I went for a night ride last night as well. “Needed” to return a book to the library, then somehow I took the long way back home. I love the cool air and different vibe of the night.
When I lived closer to the city would take the freeways all the way around. I would follow every path and just cruise under the artificial glow of those big expressway lamps. Bright, dim. Bright, dim. Traffic was light and the bike just took its own pace. At night the superslab can be a great place to ride.
I hope you take more time to ride in the night.
Harv
Sometimes you just have to ride. Love the photographs my friend.
Ride Safe,
Ronman
Yes Steve, night riding is nice. At least in town. The back roads through the woods just can`t be enjoyed as much as one would like, having to constantly worry about what will jump out of the woods. Last week I had no choice, needing to go on an important errand. On that same road a car had a serious crash with a moose ONLY 20 MINUTES after I road by on my scooter. I will plan further ahead next time. Take care and ride safe, Alan
Bryce: I pass up a lot of rides that my system tells me to take. Opportunity and desire don’t often coincide. But when it does it is a fine experience.
Creatures of the night both two and four-legged can cause problems but careful riding and awareness makes the risk tolerable. Contending. Had not thought about it that way but it is, in part, what it is all about. Thanks for pointing that out.
cpa3485: It is amazing isn’t it how the senses change at night. So much of my life turns indoors at night and I miss that.
Barron: I understand the need to go to the library completely. And the video store. Bank. Grocery store. Gas. ATM. And more. Riding is insidious…
Harv: We have a few segments of illuminated superslab but I have not availed myself of it very often at night. I’ll have to reconsider it. Thanks!
Ronman: Thanks for the kind words about the pictures. I’ll make more as riding permits.
Alan: What I like best are the open stretches through farmlands when the moon is full, especially in winter. You can see the deer and other critters a bit easier. This time of year with the vegetation growing you never know what might be jumping out. So slow roads and an easy hand on the throttle are the rule of the night.