I’ve listened to more than a few riders share, “If I only had more time to ride…”. Perhaps every rider has had those thoughts. Over the years I’ve realized that the amount of time on the road isn’t the only measure of riding satisfaction. Changing the tempo and cadence of a ride can lead to some strange places you might not normally experience. One hot evening I found myself wandering on the baked limestone mud near a quarry and feeling as if I landed in some otherworldly place, if only for a few moments — an experience lost if I had continued down the road as planned.
I’ve come to think that riding plans, for the most part, do more to suck the life from a ride than anything else. Wandering and exploring unfettered by route, time or destination are the really difficult to engage being for most riders the exact opposite of what seems the correct way to engage a trip of anything length. I wish I could get lost more, lose track of time, and see the world from a perspective other than the one beaten into me.
Riding at night is a nod towards the unknown and mystery. Everything that’s predictable and familiar evaporates into a rush of senses and feelings. Perhaps with enough night miles under my belt it would be more challenging to not fall into a predictable pattern. That’s a ways off though. It’s dark now — maybe a good time for a short ride.
For years, I didn’t really know what it was like to ride in the dark. By the time it was dark it was probably snowing or below freezing and I just didn’t want to take that on with only two wheels. Now, riding in the dark is something I look forward to just like riding in fresh snow.
Riding at night is definitely more comfortable when ATGATT in the summer….though the thought of deer by the roadside gives me pause.
Not to mention, I suck at night photography…..
Planning a ride often takes longer than just getting on the Vespa and doing the ride.
Mind, the same could be said about life itself!
RichardM: Riding in the dark is an acquired taste, one that necessitates an assumption of a certain rise in potential risk and also a change in riding attitude and style. I hope I’ve made the necessary adjustments and venture out after sundown to see another aspect of the world.
Night and winter is a different animal though and I approach that will great suspicion and care. If I had a sidecar it would be a horse of a different color!
Charlie6: The nighttime drop in temperature is always welcome in summer when you are going ATGATT but I recognize the concern around deer. Pretty to look at but wish they never crossed a road.
Night photography is something you can learn but usually requires a tripod if you aren’t carrying one of those DSLRs that make fabulous images at ISO 64000.
Bryce Lee: I’ll have to think about your comment — it has my head twisted in knots. It was a long day…