NIght commuting

NGale

anyone here have to commute at night? with being a shift worker my latest finish is 2 in the morning so I can often be found cycling through the streets of Exeter at 2am lit up like a christmas tree with all the lights and high vis.
I have found something nice about cycling at night, not only are there fewer nutters on the road (although watch them police cars!) and you get a strange sense of peace cycling around watching the foxes and badgers darting in and out of gardens.

hondafanatic

I don't commute at that time, but it's not that unusual for me to go for a quick blast at one or two in the morning when i can't sleep. I head towards the city centre and back again...usually takes me an hour or so....always feels ten times quicker at night when there is no traffic about.

lost_in_thought

I have ranted many a time about how much I like cycling at night - the roads are empty-ish and you feel like you have the whole city to yourself to play with! Brilliant!

Kieran_Burns

I've cycled home 'late' (read post 6pm) and once rush hour is over, it's WAY better to get on the roads. Quicker as well.

Also much more relaxed as the numpty quotient is so much lower.

always_tyred

lost_in_thought wrote:

I have ranted many a time about how much I like cycling at night - the roads are empty-ish and you feel like you have the whole city to yourself to play with! Brilliant!

Isn't that an oxymoron?

One should "rant" about things one does not like and "enthuse" about things you like. You are enthusing again.

lost_in_thought

Always Tyred wrote:

lost_in_thought wrote:

I have ranted many a time about how much I like cycling at night - the roads are empty-ish and you feel like you have the whole city to yourself to play with! Brilliant!

Isn't that an oxymoron?

One should "rant" about things one does not like and "enthuse" about things you like. You are enthusing again.

Actually, ranting means to talk in a wild or slightly off the hook or vehement fashion, although the implication is negative, it isn't incorrect to say that you rant about something positive.

So nyerrrr!

always_tyred

lost_in_thought wrote:

Always Tyred wrote:

lost_in_thought wrote:

I have ranted many a time about how much I like cycling at night - the roads are empty-ish and you feel like you have the whole city to yourself to play with! Brilliant!

Isn't that an oxymoron?

One should "rant" about things one does not like and "enthuse" about things you like. You are enthusing again.

Actually, ranting means to talk in a wild or slightly off the hook or vehement fashion, although the implication is negative, it isn't incorrect to say that you rant about something positive.

So nyerrrr!

from Wictionary:

rant (plural rants)

1. A criticism done by ranting.
2. A wild, incoherent, emotional articulation.
3. An exposition written, or more often oral, where emotionality supersedes rationality. Its purpose is a call to action, often identifying a target for ire and a path to resolution. Due to the pejorative connotation of the term it is a descriptor that is often subjective, most often applied to messages disagreed with. IE: Hitler's speeches were rants, Churchill's were spellbinding.

from Webster's:

intransitive verb 1 : to talk in a noisy, excited, or declamatory manner 2 : to scold vehemently transitive verb : to utter in a bombastic declamatory fashion

So double nyeer with knobs on!

There is something to be said for employing modern usage you know. For example, even on a sunny calm day in summer, I no longer consider that cycling makes me gay.

wastelander

Riding at night has an almost cathartic quality. I regularly leave work after 6:00pm and in the winter nights can arrive home after a good 2-3 hour extended ride instead of the quick 35-45 min commute...lovely!

Littigator

Always Tyred wrote:

lost_in_thought wrote:

Always Tyred wrote:

lost_in_thought wrote:

I have ranted many a time about how much I like cycling at night - the roads are empty-ish and you feel like you have the whole city to yourself to play with! Brilliant!

Isn't that an oxymoron?

One should "rant" about things one does not like and "enthuse" about things you like. You are enthusing again.

Actually, ranting means to talk in a wild or slightly off the hook or vehement fashion, although the implication is negative, it isn't incorrect to say that you rant about something positive.

So nyerrrr!

from Wictionary:

rant (plural rants)

1. A criticism done by ranting.
2. A wild, incoherent, emotional articulation.
3. An exposition written, or more often oral, where emotionality supersedes rationality. Its purpose is a call to action, often identifying a target for ire and a path to resolution. Due to the pejorative connotation of the term it is a descriptor that is often subjective, most often applied to messages disagreed with. IE: Hitler's speeches were rants, Churchill's were spellbinding.

from Webster's:

intransitive verb 1 : to talk in a noisy, excited, or declamatory manner 2 : to scold vehemently transitive verb : to utter in a bombastic declamatory fashion

So double nyeer with knobs on!

There is something to be said for employing modern usage you know. For example, even on a sunny calm day in summer, I no longer consider that cycling makes me gay.

So you've met LiT then

cjcp

NGale wrote:

anyone here have to commute at night? with being a shift worker my latest finish is 2 in the morning so I can often be found cycling through the streets of Exeter at 2am lit up like a christmas tree with all the lights and high vis.
I have found something nice about cycling at night, not only are there fewer nutters on the road (although watch them police cars!) and you get a strange sense of peace cycling around watching the foxes and badgers darting in and out of gardens.

There is something very pleasant about it.

symo

I sometimes go to bed at 7pm so I can ride the motorbike late. Will try it with the bicycle soon no doubt.

lost_in_thought

Always Tyred wrote:

lost_in_thought wrote:

Always Tyred wrote:

lost_in_thought wrote:

I have ranted many a time about how much I like cycling at night - the roads are empty-ish and you feel like you have the whole city to yourself to play with! Brilliant!

Isn't that an oxymoron?

One should "rant" about things one does not like and "enthuse" about things you like. You are enthusing again.

Actually, ranting means to talk in a wild or slightly off the hook or vehement fashion, although the implication is negative, it isn't incorrect to say that you rant about something positive.

So nyerrrr!

from Wictionary:

rant (plural rants)

1. A criticism done by ranting.
2. A wild, incoherent, emotional articulation.
3. An exposition written, or more often oral, where emotionality supersedes rationality. Its purpose is a call to action, often identifying a target for ire and a path to resolution. Due to the pejorative connotation of the term it is a descriptor that is often subjective, most often applied to messages disagreed with. IE: Hitler's speeches were rants, Churchill's were spellbinding.

from Webster's:

intransitive verb 1 : to talk in a noisy, excited, or declamatory manner 2 : to scold vehemently transitive verb : to utter in a bombastic declamatory fashion

So double nyeer with knobs on!

There is something to be said for employing modern usage you know. For example, even on a sunny calm day in summer, I no longer consider that cycling makes me gay.

I don't think you get a nyerrr for that one... in fact I think you've backed me up just perfectly!

And just 'cause I talks proper... bloomin yokels...

always_tyred

lost_in_thought wrote:

Always Tyred wrote:

lost_in_thought wrote:

Always Tyred wrote:

lost_in_thought wrote:

I have ranted many a time about how much I like cycling at night - the roads are empty-ish and you feel like you have the whole city to yourself to play with! Brilliant!

Isn't that an oxymoron?

One should "rant" about things one does not like and "enthuse" about things you like. You are enthusing again.

Actually, ranting means to talk in a wild or slightly off the hook or vehement fashion, although the implication is negative, it isn't incorrect to say that you rant about something positive.

So nyerrrr!

from Wictionary:

rant (plural rants)

1. A criticism done by ranting.
2. A wild, incoherent, emotional articulation.
3. An exposition written, or more often oral, where emotionality supersedes rationality. Its purpose is a call to action, often identifying a target for ire and a path to resolution. Due to the pejorative connotation of the term it is a descriptor that is often subjective, most often applied to messages disagreed with. IE: Hitler's speeches were rants, Churchill's were spellbinding.

from Webster's:

intransitive verb 1 : to talk in a noisy, excited, or declamatory manner 2 : to scold vehemently transitive verb : to utter in a bombastic declamatory fashion

So double nyeer with knobs on!

There is something to be said for employing modern usage you know. For example, even on a sunny calm day in summer, I no longer consider that cycling makes me gay.

I don't think you get a nyerrr for that one... in fact I think you've backed me up just perfectly!

And just 'cause I talks proper... bloomin yokels...

I admit defeat.
But I warn you - there is now an open season on seeking secondary and tertiary meanings. If you gaily rant about anything from now on, I'll be on to you like a shot.


(Although why I would wish to emulate a short, but strong, alcoholic beverage, I don't know....)

snooks

How about this.....

http://fnrttc.blogspot.com/

Night enough for you???

AndyManc

NGale wrote:

anyone here have to commute at night? with being a shift worker my latest finish is 2 in the morning so I can often be found cycling through the streets of Exeter at 2am lit up like a christmas tree with all the lights and high vis.
I have found something nice about cycling at night, not only are there fewer nutters on the road (although watch them police cars!) and you get a strange sense of peace cycling around watching the foxes and badgers darting in and out of gardens.

I often cycle post 10pm or pre 6am , I prefer doing it during the summer but winters OK too.

Only problem is the drunks driving around and the 'other' criminal elements around at that time, otherwise it's great having the road to yourself.

girv73

There's definitely something peaceful about cycling through the quiet city at night or very early morning.

I've also wondered, from time to time, what it would be like to head out into the hills of a dark and wintry night. Maybe that's a bit bonkers though.

always_tyred

girv73 wrote:

There's definitely something peaceful about cycling through the quiet city at night or very early morning.

I've also wondered, from time to time, what it would be like to head out into the hills of a dark and wintry night. Maybe that's a bit bonkers though.

A little - you really have to know the roads.
I once thought it was a good idea to cycle home across Dartmoor. 10 minutes in and I was standing in a verge watching a car slide towards me on its roof. As luck would have it the car stopped about 30 feet short and I was able to fish the family out.
However... this was about a mile from a pub. A famous and isolated pub. It made me realise (and recall from my past) that the middle of the night is the time where, although you are less likely to see other vehicles, there are much much more likely to be driven strangely/rapidly by people who also wouldn't expect to see other vehicles, let alone a bike.

lost_in_thought

I cycle round the country lanes in Essex, mostly, I have to admit, to and from pubs.

I agree with AT, the cars are definitely NOT expecting to see a bike, ensure that you are suitably christmas-tree'd up. But on a clear night with good moonlight, it's wonderful!

Also, Richmond Park is great at night!

always_tyred

Yes, you have to pick and choose where you ride.

I've cycled in some stupid places in my time and I think Dartmoor in November at closing time was right up there. :oops:

Wooliferkins

Distance overnight rides are great. Did an overnight ride from Oxford to Bournemouth a couple of years back that was just beauiful. On the weekend closest to Midsummer our local CTC rides to Avebury for breakfast we work it to be at a highpoint on the downs at sunrise. There is little better in the world than the still of night fading into a quiet dawn and the sun coming up on a traffic free world. I'm looking forward to sharing my dawn commutes with hunting owls etc in the next few months.

girv73

@Wooliferkins ... that sounds ... what's a word that means "awesome" and "beautiful" ?

/me considers coming in to work earlier

Wooliferkins

Girv,
Did the first of the dusk commutes tonight, I really don't miss driving to work (I did 90 miles a day until 18 months ago) even with the rush hour traffic through the lanes here in Oxfordshire it was a pleasant unwind. If only winter was always like this week, cold fresh and clear. Got some snow to spare? I haven't done that for a few years.

girv73

Been off the bike for a couple of weeks ie: since before BST ended. I'll be back on next week with any luck and travelling home at 5.30pm+ so it'll be in almost full dark. Looking forward to it, though I'm mainly on well-lit urban roads which will lessen the impact.

There is an alternative route I can take over the hills though ... if I can crank my way up them