A SALUTE TO NIGHT RIDES.

Just about the time most people would be shedding the work day and sliding into loose, stretchy, comfy, hanging out at home clothes, you’re pulling on tight clothes and cramming your feet into stiff, dirty cycling shoes.

When your worries whisper seductively into your ear “…pour a nice cocktail and settle into a chair…c’mon…” you’re taking swigs from a stale, plastic water bottle and wiggling around on your bike seat, trying to find the sweet spot.

When the rest of the town is settling in for their nightly, multi-hour staring contest with the idiot box, you’ve got a better view.

It can be so difficult to get your tail out there but you’re always happy you did.

Because the night ride rewards your fortitude with solitude, calmness, lungs full of fresh air and a brain full of sunset.

And it leaves you with the same warm glow you get right between your first and second glasses of wine.

Let’s just hope we still feel this way at 2am during our next 24 hour race.