things that go crank in the night

many around the world are having to deal with a cycling off season. for some that means donning christmas sweaters and focusing on nothing but the next big holiday meal. for some it means dragging their trainers out and sweating through a windless ride in their living room while their wife watches re-runs of desperate housewives and complains that their trainer is too loud. Most of this is due to unbearable temperatures, torrental downpours,and unrideable snowfall. None of these are a regular issue for a Bakertucky cyclist and anyone who is too fragile to be out in our average mildly cool days shouldnt consider themselves a "cyclist" in the first place. But there is one demon that winter brings each year......shorter days. with the sun down at 5pm it is tough for most people to get their weekday rides in. There are a lucky few (who dont have to be at work at 4am) that are able to ride in the mornings or during their lunch breaks. But, for the rest of us we are left to crank away into the dark abyss and pray that tommorow the moon will be bigger. I guess i should probably clarify, dont let my negative tone lead you astray. I actually love these night rides. There really are two different types though and it all depends on the big cheese ball (why are we told as kids that the moon is made of cheese <*sidenote* i love me some cheese>) probably pepper jack is my favorite but i do love to gnaw some medium cheddar.......oh wait two types of rides. theres the completely dark ones (no moon) (as pictured above) where if the light isnt shinning on it, it aint there. the cool part about these rides is it removes your ability to overthink whats around you while freeing your mind up on whats important...you, your bike, the pain,and the illuminated three feet in front of your wheel. the other type is better for group rides and definatly my favorite. that is the full(ish) moon rides (or big ball of cheese.....have i told you about how much i love cheese) on these rides you can shut off your light and still go well over 20mph with out any concern of not seeing an obstacle. these rides you can really get off of a bike path and go do some real riding on the open road. these rides are typically more fast and allows people in the group without light to break away (or get dropped) without the fear of finding themselves padded side up in a ditch on the side of the road. although i love to talk night rides i need end this. i believe this may be my longest blog so far. had a great week of riding and im really enjoying this colder weather riding. to all the cyclists in snow laden areas my heart breaks for you, i just hope that of the two types i explained at the beggining you are the ones putting on the stinky lycra and not the christmas sweater (unless its stinky lycra with a christmas sweater which wouldnt be a bad idea for an upcoming holiday ride!)