When the clock strikes midnight, most of you are probably snuggled deep beneath the covers of your duvet and dreaming the night away.
If you are a night owl, like me, you might be doing crazy athletic events that involve a bike, thousands of people, a great cause and an amazing city skyline. Just this past Saturday (ahem..Sunday morning!) I had the honor of participating in L.A.T.E. Ride 2010. Proceeds from this one of a kind bike ride benefitted Friends of the Parks, Chicago’s only citywide parks advocacy group.
So what was it like riding in the early morning hours?
Let’s Get Visible: Guess what, it’s dark out. Guess what, people can’t see you on your bike. Guess what, go and get a light for your bike. It’s best to have lights on the front and back of your bikes. Bike lights can easily be found at a sporting goods store near you. In true L.A.T.E. Ride spirit you could also don your glow lights and battery powered Christmas lights for full late riding effect.
“I can ride my bike with no handle bars..no handle bars”: Umm unless you are the Flobots who sing this awesome song, no you can’t. Make sure you have full control over your bike and are alert of your surroundings.
Midnight Suit: Get yo’ gear right. You might look amazing in black, but that car behind you might not think so when it hits you! Look for a quality reflective vest or jersey with reflective strips. I even suggest bike shoes with reflective strips.
Helmet Head: This goes for day time riders, too. Protect your head and make sure you wear a helmet at all times. The hard concrete doesn’t care about your hair, doesn’t care about the lines it leaves on your forehead. So be safe and wear one.
So, keep these tips in mind the next time you gear up, night owls!
Riding late at night was certainly an experience I will never forget, including the big reward of a beautiful, picturesque sunrise over Lake Michigan.
Urban Girl Fitness Quote of the Day:
Most people do not consider dawn to be an attractive experience – unless they are still up.” ~Ellen Goodman
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