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The 5 a.m. Ride

10.09.2011 by Ray Niekamp // 7 Comments

Most bikers I know are always trying to find time to ride. I certainly am. Lately, I’ve been limited to riding on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday only — my Tuesday evening ride just hasn’t happened in the past two months because I wind up staying later than planned at work.

But one group of cyclists has found a way to make time for their rides. My friend Ramon H. in the Rio Grande Valley of far south Texas and a group of his riding buddies meet for a morning ride. A 5 O’CLOCK IN THE MORNING ride! And astonishingly, the number of riders at that hour is growing.

It all started in 2004 when Ramon’s friend Eddie wanted to train for an upcoming ride, but couldn’t do it in the evening. He did 5 a.m. rides until his event came and went, then stopped. But in 2009 Ramon had started riding and wanted to get in more miles. Eddie invited him to come out at 5 a.m.

For awhile, it was just the two of them. But word of mouth spread, and people started asking to join.

Starting out.

“Nowadays, the 5 a.m. ride has become a staple with the local cycling clubs and bicycle shops,” Ramon said. “They send folks our way when a certain rider asks about early morning rides.”

The ride attracts an average of eight to 10 bikers, and what started as a Tuesday and Thursday event has now spread to the rest of the week. Eddie leads the Monday, Wednesday and Friday rides; Ramon Tuesday and Thursday. Eddie said as many as 18 have shown up a few times. In that case, the ride splits into two or three groups — hammerheads and slower riders. Ramon said if people are feeling poorly and don’t want to ride, they come out anyway and drive a SAG vehicle.

“In their eyes, their biological clocks are already used to being up and about at that time, so they might as well come out,” he said.

Waiting at a stoplight.

Of course, safety is a concern to riders and their families. One cyclist (not part of the group) was killed when struck by a car at 6 a.m. near their route.

“When you first ride in the dark, your eyes play tricks on you. You see all sorts of shadows,” said Ramon.

Eddie added, “I find it amazing how many times I did not notice a car coming behind me.” He emphasized the importance of using good lights and reflective gear, and riding defensively.

The rides started out with a 22-mile loop. That’s been extended to 24 miles, but some of the newer riders were not comfortable with that distance, so shorter loops of 10 and 14 miles were added.

“Interestingly enough,” Ramon noted, “24 miles seems to be the ‘magical number’ in that the fast group can finish the distance in about an hour and half, while the beginner group can finish the distance in two hours.  The rides are done by 7 a.m.”

“Plus,” added Eddie, “I get to say to my coworkers, ‘Yeah…I did 30 miles this morning.'”

For Eddie, the quiet and the lack of traffic are highlights of riding that early. Ramon likes the sunrises.

“There is something magical about coming back from ‘the long loop,’ turning to the east and watching some of the most beautiful skies,” he said.  “You definitely are reminded how infinitesimal you, with all of your problems, really are.  It is during these rides that I am most thankful to be alive and to be able to do this.”

Heading home.

You know, I can see the possibilities of a ride like this. There’s really nothing to keep me from getting out at the crack of dawn and putting in some miles. Except, perhaps, my wife. Eddie allowed that there could be a problem. His wife actually comes out for the Tuesday and Thursday rides, but he added…

“Every now and then she says, ‘For once can the alarm not go off at 4 a.m?'”

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Categories // Rides Tags // lights, night

To See Or Be Seen?

12.26.2010 by Ray Niekamp // 18 Comments

My wife tells the story of shopping for the headlight I wanted for Christmas (she couldn’t miss — I left some pretty obvious clues).  She went to the big LBS and told one of the sales guys that she wanted a headlight for me.

“Well, let me ask this,” he said. “Does he want to see or be seen?”

“Oh, I don’t know!” she answered.  It was a concept she wasn’t aware of, and we had never discussed.

She called from the car, and asked me.

“I want to be seen,” I replied.

“Oh, that’s good,” she said, “because the ones to be seen are $40-$50, and the ones to see are over $100.” She wanted to avoid the big-ticket item, because we had agreed to go easy on presents this Christmas.

Some impressive light sets can be had for cyclists who really want to light up the night.  Committed nighttime riders often mount two headlights.  The powerful ones can be run by a dyno hub, so just riding the bike will supply power to the light.  Or they’ll have a battery pack that fastens to the bike frame.

But I don’t ride long distances out in the country after dark.  My need for lights is because I get caught in dusk before I can get home from a late afternoon ride.  I want cars to see me on lighted city streets and less well-lighted residential streets.

When the salesman realized what I needed, he recommended a Planet Bike Blaze.  She got me the 1-watt model; a 2-watt model is also available.  While she was at it, she added a bright Serfas light that attaches to the bike’s seat stay.  It has more flash patterns than the cheap taillight I have now, and its steady beam is more prominent, too.

It was our turn to entertain guests for Christmas this year.  They’ve all headed home now.  I’m looking forward to trying out the new lights during the upcoming week.

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Categories // Accessories Tags // lighting, lights

Lights, fixies, k.d.

11.07.2008 by Ray Niekamp // 3 Comments

Well, I guess I deserve the thumping I got from the “put on a light” crowd. You’ll find this hard to believe, but it hadn’t even occurred to me. I cycle for recreation, so taking the bike out after dark was never really part of the equation. You’ve at least got me thinking about it now. You’ll have to keep watching this space to see if my thinking evolves.

k.d. lang
k.d. lang

At Texas State University, where I work, the police have announced they’re cracking down on fixies. They didn’t word it that way, of course. What they said is that they’ll ticket any bicycle without a brake that will make the bike skid on dry pavement. Fixie riders on campus and in the area who use their leg power to stop are up in arms over this one.

My bike club found itself scrambling this week, when the restaurant where our monthly meetings are held suddenly shut down. The meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, and when the reservation for the meeting room was made, there was no indication that anything was amiss. The club was able to get the meeting room at a nearby golf course’s clubhouse, and the meeting was delayed for only one day. Can’t report what happened there, though, because Mrs. Noob and I were at a k.d. lang concert downtown instead. That fabulous voice is still as clear as a bell.

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Categories // Uncategorized Tags // fixie, lights

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