Yesterday, Seattle was dark for 15 hours 34 minutes and 37 seconds. Let us not count how much it was light– it is of no use to us. I rode to work in the black, and in the black I rode home.
The darkness is good to me. It shields my filthy chain from those who would judge it. It casts anonymity over the creaking of my bottom bracket. It erases your matching kit to shear black, pretty socks and all. It calls you to simply pedal. And, on the best of days, it gives me the jump on a fellow commuter just asking to be dropped like a pedal wrench in a two-year-old’s hands.
Today will only be one second less dark. Come feel the power of the darkside.
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To that unsuspecting commuter grand prix racer you just left behind on the imaginary sprint to an undetermined finish line, some advice:
We can beat that here in Aberdeen with 17 hours and 20 minutes of darkness today. No wonder some medics are arguing in favour of dosing the entire Scottish population with vitamin D (like fluoride in the drinking water)!
Don't you just hate it when some fellow commuter decides he's going to race you, just because you passed him as he was dawdling along? What is the appropriate response to the guy who suddenly speeds up and either sits on your wheel or overtakes you in return?
Yesterday here in Waco Texas we had 13 hours and 55 minutes of darkness. While I ride in the dark, I'm still excited that now we move inexorably towards the summer solstice.
Definitely not an issue down here.
Everyday from now on its going to get lighter, this thought keeps me going through our miserable english winters.
Yeah, good thought. Its usually the 6-8 inches of snow covering the potholes and sub-zero temperatures here that, combined with the pitch blackness, keeps us from embracing the darkside.
I snuck out of work a bit early yesterday (I went back in the evening) to get a ride in. Temps were in the mid 30s and the roads basically just damp. Although I was slightly underdressed, it was worth it to get a ride in on the shortest day of the year. Did just shy of 50 kms. Woke up this morning to a thin covering of snow and ice on the roads. Quite possibly the last ride of the year (I head to deep, dark Scotland for the holidays and won't be riding there) but take comfort in the knowledge that upon my return there are only two months until daylight savings time begins and I get out after work.
as one who suffers from the cyclical seasonal affective syndrome, i celebrate winter soltice passing. I hate the darkness. Its cold. Its dark as you mention, and whereas jim, your optimistic even in it, I languish in my hatred of the dark. I hate it. It is the polar opposing force to my summers, long days, short nights, long rides, short reprieves. I have to don lights to ride, and that is not in any way shape or form in abidance to any of the Rules, in fact, if any of the Cognoscentia were to find out of my riding habits with these dangley thingies from my seat rails, from the stem... I would be scourged with 39 lashings.
So, I have put this day behind, looking for longer days, days that will bring atonement for my sins of the holidays, eating my wifes cream cheese topped shortbread cookies, peanut butter balls dipped in her homeade chocolate, my daily capo's, and my lesser riding due to this season.
for that atonement, i actually look forward to it. i pray it comes soon, i will delve headfirst into it, i will bath daily in it, i will pay pentance that is due
Merckx father: please passover my darkness, please send me the light
and thanks jim for the good thoughts
Green Bay was dark for 15:07, still my intentions were for a first day of winter commute. Woke up to an inch of snow. After weighing Rule 9 against the possiblity of sliding under the set of SUV tires, I cancelled the ride.
By the way, before I forget, I'd like to wish all the Velominati a safe and happy holiday season. May Santa bring you all manner of shiny bits and clothing you wouldn't wear in polite company. Get a ride in if you can (northern hemisphere velominati, I'm talking to you; Southern hemisphere guys, you have no excuses) and here's to another great, fun, enjoyable 12 months of whatever you'd describe the content of this blog to be!