Out of Darkness

Original photograph by Latryx

The dark makes everything worse; something primal awakens in us when the sun has gone and we are wrapped in the black cloak of night. Laying in bed, my worst thoughts and fears come knocking like some used-car salesperson who won’t leave me alone. There is no shutting down of this process, our imaginations are given free reign to do their worst.

Darkness makes the cold feel colder, and the rain more wet; it wraps us and removes all the visual cues that might otherwise distract us from their lightless work. This is a difficult time of year, when the days are at their shortest; we leave for work in the dark and return home in it too. It never leaves us.

Leaving for a ride at night takes the same sort of resolve that riding in bad weather does; you need not think about whether you want to do it; you simply set about kitting up, and then placing one foot before the other until you’re standing outside with your bicycle at your side. Then you pedal.

Riding at night puts me in an cocoon of isolation, there is life inside the cone that spills from my headlight; beyond its borders I do not know what creatures and thoughts dwell – I don’t need to know. There is only the small triangular section of road within the cone. Like a carrot spurring on a donkey, perhaps if I push a little harder on the pedals, I can overtake the far edge of the light and explore what lies beyond.

Winter Solstice is behind us now, and for the next half year, our days will get longer. Though the days will remain dark for some time yet; each coming day will be a little bit longer until finally, the headlights will be put away. Until then, I will ride inside my cone when I need to, and cherish daylight rides when I can.

frank

The founder of Velominati and curator of The Rules, Frank was born in the Dutch colonies of Minnesota. His boundless physical talents are carefully canceled out by his equally boundless enthusiasm for drinking. Coffee, beer, wine, if it’s in a container, he will enjoy it, a lot of it. He currently lives in Seattle. He loves riding in the rain and scheduling visits with the Man with the Hammer just to be reminded of the privilege it is to feel completely depleted. He holds down a technology job the description of which no-one really understands and his interests outside of Cycling and drinking are Cycling and drinking. As devoted aesthete, the only thing more important to him than riding a bike well is looking good doing it. Frank is co-author along with the other Keepers of the Cog of the popular book, The Rules, The Way of the Cycling Disciple and also writes a monthly column for the magazine, Cyclist. He is also currently working on the first follow-up to The Rules, tentatively entitled The Hardmen. Email him directly at rouleur@velominati.com.

Next Merckxy Christmas and Coppi New Year! »

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View Comments

Optimiste says:

Dec 23 2013 at 8:57 pm

@frank

@Ron

Yes sir! I can handle this northern hemisphere positive vibe. Past the trough.

The cone. I'm sure many of us have ridden with bike mounted headlights and also helmet/head mounted headlights. With both, you get a lot. With one, you get some. Having only a bike-mounted headlight and hearing something loud in the dark, nearby, and turning to look at it, and realizing you aren't wearing a helmet-mounted headlight.

That is scary. It's also fun. And it reminds you to bring yer helmet light, if you so desire.

In reality, I ride with both a helmet and handlebar light, both by Lezyne. You need both, not just for the visibility, but because the two lights move independently, cars are better able to realize you're not another car or moto. Whenever I've ridden with just one or the other, cars make many more bad moves around me, particularly in the way of pulling out in front of me when I'm going 60km/h down a hill in the rain.

But the helmet light is about as useful as a candle in a horror movie as far as helping you discern the source of the light when you're moving at a reasonable speed, so the effect of the cone is honorably retained.

Which one do you use on your helmet? I have the Power Drive XL on my bars (475 max lumens / 1h:30min), which I imagine could be converted with the helmet mount. And it would be an excuse to get the Mega Drive for the bars (1200 max lumens - that's crazy awesome).

However, my vanity has caused me reluctance in considering mounting one on the helmet. This summer on a pre-dawn team ride, I showed up without my front light. I found an LED flashlight in the glovebox and gaffered it to my helmet. At an unscheduled convenience store stop, I was curious why people kept giving me squinty-eyed stares. We weren't that far into redneck country yet. The moment I stepped outside, it occurred to me I had 1) worn my helmet inside the store and 2) kept the light on. My teammates just laughed.
starclimber says:

Dec 23 2013 at 9:34 pm

The 'reality cone' also figures prominently in rock climbing by headlamp. You look away from your hand placement, and while looking down for a foot hold are briefly clinging by the remembrance of that finger jam. Then you glance down for a piece of gear, and that crystal you've delicately poised yourself upon dwindles into a less trustworthy ephemeratum. The void, spot lit by your partner a worrying distance below, expands in all directions.
Ken Ho says:

Dec 23 2013 at 9:39 pm

I do most of my road cycling at night. In the town I travel to work n, the daytime traffic is quite dangerous. At night, the cars and truck traffic subsides and I feel safe to venture out. It has been very hot here too, being summer and very humid.

I run a Supernova Airstream, and a bunch of flashers, for which I have been mocked. They are very effective. The night holds little fear for me.
Chris says:

Dec 23 2013 at 11:38 pm

Today's schedule of family festive fun meant a 5am start was the only time I'd get out but a beyond rule 9 gale meant that at 2am I was more concerned that the big horse chestnut in the neighbors garden was going to end up in the bedroom. Now, I can't help feel that I wimped out slightly. I'll have to get out before the kids get up tomorrow.

I've got a Hope R4 and Hope District. Great lights - the front lights up the road in front beautifully while the rear can't fail to be seen. I'm considering one of the Lezyne rear lights as well to be able to have constant as well as blinking but the helmet mounted debate has got me thinking.
ChrisO says:

Dec 24 2013 at 12:00 am

Would it be worth adding to the Notes On Darkness that it makes it bloody hard to read the data from your power meter ?

I'll get me gilet...
Darren H says:

Dec 24 2013 at 3:03 am

I live in the New Forest (Hampshire) and riding around at night can be truly terrifying and yet the peace and isolation can also be incredibly calming - it all depends on how many twigs I hear snapping in the darkness! (which funnily enough tends to dictate how fast I ride).
girl says:

Dec 24 2013 at 4:04 am

Very well written but an article I find it hard to identify with considering the hot weather we are having here. Reading about cold, dark weather makes me feel guilty about the cycling I will be doing in the Snowy Mountains and in Bright over the next two weeks. Sun will be shining and the tan lines will be sharpened significantly.

Merry Christmas to all.
Deakus says:

Dec 24 2013 at 4:09 am

@Darren H

I live in the New Forest (Hampshire) and riding around at night can be truly terrifying and yet the peace and isolation can also be incredibly calming - it all depends on how many twigs I hear snapping in the darkness! (which funnily enough tends to dictate how fast I ride).

Absolutely. I loved the occasional night ride until the day some sort of animal shot between my front wheel and cranks one night. It scared the shit out of me. When you ride and night you become so self absorbed in thought that anything unexpected is liable to leave you needing to scrub out your shorts afterwards!
Rob says:

Dec 24 2013 at 5:10 am

There are many joys to night riding, full moon in the autum months after the leaves have gone - no lights nessecary is a past memory I cherish.

Now city riding lit up like a Christmas tree and the fantasy of my wife at the trial of the drunk who hit me screaming "Which fucking light did you not see??".
Teocalli says:

Dec 24 2013 at 5:19 am

We have a Thursday night offroad group through the year, one thing I notice most is the different wildlife you head at night, mainly owls and barking foxes. The odd set of eyes in the bushes foxes and deer (I hope). I quite look forward to the winter rides in the dark. For lights most of us use Exposure with Diablo on helmets and one of the bigger units on the bars. Not so keen on road riding at night in the South UK.