While the city sleeps the night rider rides facing the challenge before them in the wake of barren streets. You may have seen them and wonder in awe, "What the hell is that person doing riding their bike at one in the morning?" To which the Night Rider doesn't reply for they are too busy preparing for the battle with the VA. The VA, a retired route that not very many bicycles traverse on daily basis. Like the battle hardened soldier, if you aren't careful this route has the misfortunate of destroying your innards. I rode this route around 1 am and was unpleasantly shocked on the grade. I am not good at grading, but I know this one was steep as my legs slowed to crawl climbing upward. V, or as many know her as Virginia, acts as transport from the Salt Lake City Avenues to the rich and the well off area of Salt Lake City. Virginia nearly took me off my bicycle, but I endured and climbed all the way to one the trail heads of the Bonneville Shorline. A speechless view of glimmering lights, glowing city presented itself to me so as it exhaled its wonder, I inhaled it and took a breather from the sweat ridden ride. Downhill is always fun. Many cyclist complain about the uphill and its various levels of suck, but few can deny the relief of rocketing down the Salt Lake City wide streets with the sweat flying from their drenched frame. I too, enjoy a good downhill. However, I am for earning the rights to the downhill.
What I earned was a very twisty windy downhill ride jamming on my brakes. One of those rides where you are most grateful to the John Harringtons' for inventing a brake. Couldn't even imagine trying it on a brakeless fixed gear. But who is to judge without the trial of taking up the fixie?
On South Temple, I decided to face the 'A'. 'A' street has been voted by SLC Weekly as, "Most Likely Place In They City Where Your Car Will Brake Down".
Stupid is fun, so I gave it a whirl, and it wasn't as hard as I remember. It was one of those, 'man when I was kid that really was five times as large' moments. After defeating VA, I rode home enjoying the empty streets and bright city.
At those late hours I find myself from time to time thinking of bicyclist like Marty. It is frightening to think some people out there would do such acts. It solidifies it more so when I am riding at the middle of the night. I offer the advice that I have created for myself while riding at night:
Be even more cautious about oncoming traffic at night. erratic driving, etc. On that same point - get in the habit of memorizing license plates from oncoming traffic.
Not everyone can be a Night Rider. Some of us work early morning shifts. However, if you have some late night trails you would like to suggest, drop a line. I am always open to new bicycle rides. I will leave you with this one:
Midnight Mass
The First Friday of Every Month at Midnight at Gallivan Center
Bicycle Ride Bring Bike Lights Front And Back.
Man, that sounds like fun. You said it though, I work early early mornings and I can't ride with you. But maybe one day, you can stay up extra late, and I can get up extra early, and we can find some common riding ground. I promise I'll find and dust off my old bondage pants, if you don't make fun of my lycra. Just the bikes, and the night, and the moonlight.
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