Why don't more ride early evening?

As things wind down a bit with shorter summer (actually fall) days and a
realization that I can't ditch the family every Sunday for an all-day ride
somewhere, I've taken to doing the "family thing" (church, chores, time with
the kids, that sort of thing) at the start of the day, which pretty much
kills prime riding time. The temptation is to just give up on the idea of
getting in a nice bike ride, but the past couple of weeks I've decided,
fairly late in the day, that there was still time to get out there.

And what a great time to ride! Leaving at 3pm you can still get in a 3-hour
ride, and, at least in the SF Bay Area, the weather's really nice at that
time of day, and it seems like there are fewer cars out on the road. And
there's something about the lighting you get when the sun's not overhead
that makes everything just pop out at you. Not to mention watching the sun
descend over the ocean from Skyline (Highway 35).

The question is, why does it seem like I'm the only cyclist out there? When
I ride in the mornings, I see a zillion other cyclists, but very, very few
in the late afternoons. If you've never ridden a late afternoon ride at
this time of the year, I highly recommend that you do. But do it quickly;
the sun's at just the right angle now, and it's still warm enough to ride
without all manner of cold-weather gear.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

Hey, Mike, you are spoiling our secret. Let them freeze in the morning.
I actually saw quite a few folks out today as I rode between 3 and 6:30.

Mike Jacoubowsky wrote:

As things wind down a bit with shorter summer (actually fall) days and a
realization that I can't ditch the family every Sunday for an all-day ride
somewhere, I've taken to doing the "family thing" (church, chores, time with
the kids, that sort of thing) at the start of the day, which pretty much
kills prime riding time. The temptation is to just give up on the idea of
getting in a nice bike ride, but the past couple of weeks I've decided,
fairly late in the day, that there was still time to get out there.

And what a great time to ride! Leaving at 3pm you can still get in a 3-hour
ride, and, at least in the SF Bay Area, the weather's really nice at that
time of day, and it seems like there are fewer cars out on the road. And
there's something about the lighting you get when the sun's not overhead
that makes everything just pop out at you. Not to mention watching the sun
descend over the ocean from Skyline (Highway 35).

The question is, why does it seem like I'm the only cyclist out there? When
I ride in the mornings, I see a zillion other cyclists, but very, very few
in the late afternoons. If you've never ridden a late afternoon ride at
this time of the year, I highly recommend that you do. But do it quickly;
the sun's at just the right angle now, and it's still warm enough to ride
without all manner of cold-weather gear.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

Hey, Mike, you are spoiling our secret. Let them freeze in the morning.
I actually saw quite a few folks out today as I rode between 3 and 6:30.

Mike Jacoubowsky wrote:

As things wind down a bit with shorter summer (actually fall) days and a
realization that I can't ditch the family every Sunday for an all-day ride
somewhere, I've taken to doing the "family thing" (church, chores, time with
the kids, that sort of thing) at the start of the day, which pretty much
kills prime riding time. The temptation is to just give up on the idea of
getting in a nice bike ride, but the past couple of weeks I've decided,
fairly late in the day, that there was still time to get out there.

And what a great time to ride! Leaving at 3pm you can still get in a 3-hour
ride, and, at least in the SF Bay Area, the weather's really nice at that
time of day, and it seems like there are fewer cars out on the road. And
there's something about the lighting you get when the sun's not overhead
that makes everything just pop out at you. Not to mention watching the sun
descend over the ocean from Skyline (Highway 35).

The question is, why does it seem like I'm the only cyclist out there? When
I ride in the mornings, I see a zillion other cyclists, but very, very few
in the late afternoons. If you've never ridden a late afternoon ride at
this time of the year, I highly recommend that you do. But do it quickly;
the sun's at just the right angle now, and it's still warm enough to ride
without all manner of cold-weather gear.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

Hey, Mike, you are spoiling our secret. Let them freeze in the morning.
I actually saw quite a few folks out today as I rode between 3 and 6:30.

Mike Jacoubowsky wrote:

As things wind down a bit with shorter summer (actually fall) days and a
realization that I can't ditch the family every Sunday for an all-day ride
somewhere, I've taken to doing the "family thing" (church, chores, time with
the kids, that sort of thing) at the start of the day, which pretty much
kills prime riding time. The temptation is to just give up on the idea of
getting in a nice bike ride, but the past couple of weeks I've decided,
fairly late in the day, that there was still time to get out there.

And what a great time to ride! Leaving at 3pm you can still get in a 3-hour
ride, and, at least in the SF Bay Area, the weather's really nice at that
time of day, and it seems like there are fewer cars out on the road. And
there's something about the lighting you get when the sun's not overhead
that makes everything just pop out at you. Not to mention watching the sun
descend over the ocean from Skyline (Highway 35).

The question is, why does it seem like I'm the only cyclist out there? When
I ride in the mornings, I see a zillion other cyclists, but very, very few
in the late afternoons. If you've never ridden a late afternoon ride at
this time of the year, I highly recommend that you do. But do it quickly;
the sun's at just the right angle now, and it's still warm enough to ride
without all manner of cold-weather gear.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

I almost always ride in late afternoon Monday through Friday because
it's easier than trying to get out before work. I tend to start
riding late morning to midday on the weekends because I am too lazy to
get out of bed for a bike ride at 7:0) AM on a weekend.

I almost always ride in late afternoon Monday through Friday because
it's easier than trying to get out before work. I tend to start
riding late morning to midday on the weekends because I am too lazy to
get out of bed for a bike ride at 7:0) AM on a weekend.

I almost always ride in late afternoon Monday through Friday because
it's easier than trying to get out before work. I tend to start
riding late morning to midday on the weekends because I am too lazy to
get out of bed for a bike ride at 7:0) AM on a weekend.

_ You should try it in June, July and August. I don't know why,
but it seems like the number of people out and about near Sand
Hill has dropped dramatically in the last couple weeks.

I've noticed that myself. It's not as if the weather isn't still great for
riding, but maybe that's the problem around here... maybe (some) people get
bored of riding after a while, and need a break.

I cannot relate to such thinking, by the way. I ride year-round, every
Tuesday & Thursday morning, regardless of the weather. Makes for some
interesting rides sometimes! Realistically, I get in maybe 20
seriously-rainy rides/year. Which reminds me that it's time to get out the
rain bike and make sure it's rideable again, darn. I don't mind riding in
the rain, but I do mind riding the rain bike. Just nowhere near as fun as
my 5900.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

_ You should try it in June, July and August. I don't know why,
but it seems like the number of people out and about near Sand
Hill has dropped dramatically in the last couple weeks.

I've noticed that myself. It's not as if the weather isn't still great for
riding, but maybe that's the problem around here... maybe (some) people get
bored of riding after a while, and need a break.

I cannot relate to such thinking, by the way. I ride year-round, every
Tuesday & Thursday morning, regardless of the weather. Makes for some
interesting rides sometimes! Realistically, I get in maybe 20
seriously-rainy rides/year. Which reminds me that it's time to get out the
rain bike and make sure it's rideable again, darn. I don't mind riding in
the rain, but I do mind riding the rain bike. Just nowhere near as fun as
my 5900.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

_ You should try it in June, July and August. I don't know why,
but it seems like the number of people out and about near Sand
Hill has dropped dramatically in the last couple weeks.

I've noticed that myself. It's not as if the weather isn't still great for
riding, but maybe that's the problem around here... maybe (some) people get
bored of riding after a while, and need a break.

I cannot relate to such thinking, by the way. I ride year-round, every
Tuesday & Thursday morning, regardless of the weather. Makes for some
interesting rides sometimes! Realistically, I get in maybe 20
seriously-rainy rides/year. Which reminds me that it's time to get out the
rain bike and make sure it's rideable again, darn. I don't mind riding in
the rain, but I do mind riding the rain bike. Just nowhere near as fun as
my 5900.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com