Let’s Talk About Riding at Different Times of Day

11
Apr
2012
By

What is your ideal time of day to ride your bike, and why?

I spent a couple days on Lake Dunlap (outside of New Braunfels, Texas) last week and in the video below I throw out this question based on riding at different times of the day.  As with all our “Let’s Talk” posts, this one will be created by you.  Give us your comments, tips, and ideas on riding at different times of the day and let’s build this post up.

Have a look at the short video below to get you in the Let’s Talk spirit, and then let your comments fly.

Enjoy Your Ride
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  • RideLikeTheWind

    I like 4:00-5:00. It’s semi dark, which means cool, and I usually just bike around my neighborhood, so traffic isn’t a huge problem anyway. I would love to ride at 7:00 am, but that doesn’t work in my schedule.

    • http://lovingthebike.com Darryl is Loving the Bike

      Thanks for your input on this one.

  • Tbovay

    I really enjoy my rides to work in the mornings.  I leave at about 7:00am right when the sun is just coming up.  The air is so crisp and everything smells clean and fresh.  Many of the days that I ride there is a slight fog settled in the low areas and the sun has a beautiful glow.  It is so nice to take in the calming silent before the hustle and bustle of the day begins.  By the time I get to work I’m invigorated and ready to begin my day.

  • Eric Hutchins

    I love the morning when there is just a little bit of fog, things are coming to life, the air feels clean. AWESOME

  • ShaneB

    Both my wife and I work starting at 8am and have two young kids. Combine that with living in Omaha, Nebraska with drastic swings in temps (last week was in the 90s, this morning was 26) and you’ll understand the need for flexibility. I prefer morning rides and get as many in during the summer when the kids don’t have to get up early for school. But due to weather and schedules sometimes I have to wait until 1AM to get my time to ride.

  • http://www.facebook.com/neify Mike Neifert

    i like to ride early in the morning before the wind has a chance to build up a head of steam. there’s also less traffic and i can hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.

  • http://twitter.com/Lycra_Loony Mark Beaconsfield

    I love to ride anytime of the day, or night. My commute to and/or from work happens at different times. Sometimes at 9am, othertimes its after midnight. As you can imagine, I get to experience all types of traffic and weather conditions. When Im not commuting, I can be found on my bike anytime, including the wee hours when most people are asleep. The deserted roads give my time to relax, de-stress and think. I know for many people, riding at night is scary. But if you are prepared, wear the right clothing (a hi-vis or reflective vest works well for me) and have proper working lights. You can be seen quite easily and in some cases are more visible than riding in broad daylight in heavy traffic.

  • Slimguy

    I live by the lakefront in Chicago and clock most of my miles there. As I have a dog who rides many miles with me, I usually get us out on the bike after her walk and my breakfast. That is a nice time to ride, around 9:00 a.m. The working folks have left the bike paths and the tourists haven’t arrived yet. Also, the wind usually hasn’t developed yet, so it is relatively tranquil for Chicago. 

  • Mikegwelch

    Anytime is good just got a bike this year and love it. I found out today to keep up with daylight since I almost ran out before I got home. Scary enough on the road with cars and trucks, add in or should I say take away sunlight and it gets scary real quick.

  • Koifla

    Early mornings winds are light and Early evenings are alright. The afternoon is the safest time but I like them all and do not whine.

  • http://twitter.com/fuelright Kelli Jennings

    For me it depends on the temps on weekends.  Now that I live in warmer weather (Denver is hot in the summer for this heat weeny) I prefer a 7 am start.  When I lived in colder weather (Crested Butte), 9 am was a great start.  Anything earlier and it was layers and frozen hands in full-finger gloves, even in July. I take weekday rides at any time I can get them!

  • Craig S

    Yes, anytime is the best time to ride. But if I had to pick an ideal time it would be around 9 in the morning.  At that time I’m feeling awake and have the most energy.  The wind is pretty good at that time as well.

  • ilike bikes1035

    I like the morning commute. By the time the end of the day rolls around I don’t always have the energy/motivation to ride home. Luckily, I ride a folding bike though, so it’s still easy for me to get home with the bike and ride in again in the morning. Sometimes I catch a ride home (or most of the way home) with one of my coworkers – we just put the bike right in his trunk, otherwise, I take the bus.

  • http://twitter.com/Jonna_Rae Jonna Rae

    I agree with Janet.  Sunrise is my favorite time to ride.  I have the most energy, and I like the quiet (and lack of traffic).

  • Bethel

    Week nights i ride after work around 7pm, but the traffic is bad. But, i like seeing and waving to all the people. They now remember me and watch for me to come by. Weekends i ride mostly in the morning so i can do all my home chores after my ride. I really don’t care when i ride as long as it’s warm and dry.

    Bethel
    @takeabike

  • Steven

    I used to ride always at around 5PM, but recently changed it to early mornings now that the weather is warmer.  I much prefer the mornings for so many reasons and I also find I have far more energy as well.

  • Janet

    I really like riding early in the morning, but cannot always get there at the time.  I have the most energy in the mornings and also enjoy the quietness of that time of day.

  • Tom Bike

    Para treinamento prefiro andar de noite. Estamos aqui ao lado do Trópico de Capricórnio, tempo pode ficar bem quente durante o dia em todas as estações do ano… Para pedais mais longos ou viagens, melhor sair bem cedo para terminar antes das 11… 

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