How to Train/Ride in the dark

So lately I have been busy with the typical life of a college senior. Job interviews, midterms, tons of homework and projects have made may days very long and leave very little time for riding. I started my base about a week ago, as I typically like to start training in the early part of November. Considering that I have limited time to train, I have been for the most part training and riding in the early a.m. Meaning at the early hour of 5:30am spending majority of my ride in the dark. Luckily I have a great light, that lights up everything and makes sure cars can see me.

Over these last two weeks of predawn rides(which are solo as apparently my teammates think I am insane for being up that early to ride) I have really enjoyed myself. I can honestly say it is refreshing and liberating to be out before dawn. Riding out of Hoboken in the early a.m means that there is essentially no cars on the road. Other than the occasional runner, the area is basically deserted. Going out solo predawn has made for some great stress relief and overall good vibes, it has allowed some great alone time with my thoughts. The solitude really has been good for me, it has made me calmer and a little more focused which is important in my last year at school. But I have also learned some skills on riding in the dark which are listed below:

How To Train in the Dark

1. Buy a Commuter Light
a. commuter lights have many LEDs that light up the road and alert you to oncoming cars
2. Wake up crazy early, like 5am
3. Eat a light breakfast
a. if your in Base training like moi, then its safe to say you're going to be on the road for a few
hours, so its a given to eat something. Even cold pizza from the night before
4. Bring a camera, even a camera phone works
a. aside from getting to watch a pretty nice sunrise you never what you might see, being able
to document it is worthwhile
5. Be alert
a. if your not alert, you will hit something. I learned that when I hit a pothole going downhill
at 35mph and flatted in teh dark. Not fun
6. While your place for the said ride, make as much noise as possible to wake your roommate who is too lazy and undisciplined to ride w/ you predawn
a. just a cheapshot at my roommate who isn't a morning person

These are just some stuff I have seen while riding predawn. I will post some pics I've taken while on these rides in the coming days as well as some updates on the Stevens team. Until then I will continue riding in the training in the early a.m and enjoying life.

Thoughts on Fall racing

With Fall and CX in full swing, I've been thinking about many things. How long Road season goes, why we race CX, when we start training, etc. Then on NYVelocity, I find this article. Here is an excerpt:

"Instead of starting races in late February, when the snow can threaten to fall from the sky, why not shift the early season to late March and race through September and October? Would you race now if there were a season ending race series?...Would you be afraid to sacrifice the early season fitness gained by racing in the cold, dark mornings of March? Is 55 degrees warmer in the fall or spring?"

I think this is a valid point, personally I feel 50degrees in the Fall is much better than 50 degress in March. I've always preferred rides in the Fall mainly because its always so low stress where in early Spring everyone is hammering all day. But there is always something to be said about the competitiveness about racing, after about 2 weeks off the bike I start to miss road racing and all the glory that goes along with it. My season ended back on Labor Day, since I've been hanging out, drinking beer, riding whenever the spirit moves me, and just enjoying life. But I can't help thinking about next season and winter training that is right around the corner.

Personally, I have never done a cross race but definitely want to. That probably won't happen this fall, but maybe one year I won't be so burned out and out of shape by October that I can actually merit jumping into a cross race. These are all just thought and ramblings that are a result of not racing or training seriously for several weeks. Base training is right around the corner for everyone, time to start thinking about next season.