Do you ever get afraid? (night riding)

[bikerHen]

I have really been enjoying my evening commute. I've had to cut it down to a six mile ride instead of ten because of questionable roads. Having to do more with speeding traffic/narrow shoulder than scary areas.

I still have a couple mile stretch of being mostly alone though. I was having scary thoughts just the other night and got to thinking that if this was July, I wouldn't think twice about riding through this area at this time of day. It's a straight road, through light industry and open fields with good shoulders and light traffic. It was just the dark and rain that was making it scary. I have plenty of lights, can see the roadway just fine and a driver would have to be blind not to see me. I even scared a coyote the other night with all my flashing lights.

I do spend a lot of ride time on the what ifs . . . and I watch every car that drives by. It doesn't hurt to be ready. Once I turn off my worry gene I just love being out on my bike in the dark. For some reason I feel very impowered. The best advice I can give is to just give it try, maybe it will work for you and maybe it won't but you won't know until you try. And try to keep that worry bug under control. bikerHen

[Tri Girl]

Thanks for all of your very helpful advice, anecdotes, and stories of experiences you've had. It makes me feel like I'm not alone, and that it's OK to feel a little afraid. I guess a little fear is healthy- keeps you on your toes. That's the kind I have- not the paralyzing kind that won't let me ride my bike at all (if I had that kind- I'd never cycle another mile in my lifetime ). I will just light myself up, be aware, and get out there. I've driven the route in the daylight hours, and around about the times that I'd be commuting. It's surely just fear of the unknown. Like Bikerhen said: it may be for me, may not- I just have to try. And GLC- I understand what you mean about the cars keeping you company. I feel much more scared when I'm all alone than when I know someone else is around (even if there's a chance that the someone could mow me down ).
My commute will be 1.5 hours in dark, .5 hour in light in the morning. Just the opposite on the way home. When traffic is heavier at night, I'm glad just a short time will be in the dark. I will vow to do it this week (well, depending on the temps). I will NOT cycle when it's below 38F in the morning- that's my strange cut-off temp.

Thank you again. I REALLY appreciate having this forum to ask questions. Not many I know would be able to give helpful advice (and most of them are guys and I think their worries/concerns are much different than ours).


Twin- where do you live? I live in central OK.

[twin]

I live in Norman now and where I used to commute was in Tulsa. Now I have a short safe route because I teach much closer to where I live. Where in OKC do you commute? I know you have many possible scary routes. Did you commute today? If you are familar with tulsa my commute took me to north tulsa where I taught at old Mcclain and Central HS. What type oflghting are you using? Good luck and be safe!

[Tri Girl]

Twin-I live in far NW OKC and teach in Moore. The easiest/safest way (traffic wise anyway) is to head to downtown, then turn south toward Moore. The "iffy" part is just south of downtown on Shields. It's very dark, and when I've ridden there during the day I've encountered people who like to yell a lot. That was only twice, tho- so I know I shouldn't judge it based on those couple experiences. South side folks actually seem more considerate to bikers because more of them use a bicycle for transportation. It's the Nichols Hill's monster SUVs and Hummers that I worry about running me off the road.

I'm *sorta* familiar with Tulsa, and I think I know where you are talking about. That might be a little hairy, but sounds like you never had a problem. Realistically, I've read that many crimes are committed by people who know each other, and the others are opportunistic crimes. I try to believe that nobody will jump out and abduct/rob/kill a sweaty biker in the morning or evening- especially with a backpack and rear rack stuffed. If I tried to make myself look a little crazier, they might just avoid me altogether... hmmmm...

[twin]

Which school in Moore do you teach at? I teach at Norman North and teach art. When I ride to OKC from Norman I cross from central norman to west norman and go down 48th untill I can ride on Western to about north May and 36th when I am visting friends. I thought I was moving to that area and would commute to Norman and it would have been about an hour and a half. I am in the same situation as you were last year and have a 3 mile commute each way. I add on miles when I can.

[RoadRaven]

If I tried to make myself look a little crazier, they might just avoid me altogether... hmmmm...

I like this thinking

[Voodoo Sally]

Hey Tri Girl,

I've been commuting in the dark a lot this year, in the evening. I didn't know how I'd like it at first, but I took to it. I feel somewhat anxious going through the busiest traffic downtown areas, changing lanes, watching doors, etc. I feel safer just cruising down the roads with few or no intersections and no parked cars. But I feel safe and strangely peaceful in the woods part (mt. biking) of my commute, totally alone in the dark. I know that probably sounds insane, but then again, we're talking about someone who has been known to go backpacking alone. That's just me. I would try your commute once and see how you feel. And I do believe that ne'er-do-wells are unlikely to be out around dawn, as opposed to later hours, and also, the colder it is, the less likely they are to be out. Law enforcement types know that summer is the high season for punkish activity, and winter is the low season.

Good luck.

[Tri Girl]

Thanks, Sally. I think I'm just going to have to "suck it up" and get out there. With everyone's advice, stories, etc I'm feeling more brave and confident.
Thanks again ladies!!!!


Twin- I teach at Broadmoore in Moore. My commute will take me from the NW side, down Shields (I love 3 lane roads- nobody can complain about me taking up too much room) to 4th, then a little jog over to school. It's dumb, but the road 3/4 mile right around the school is the scariest part traffic-wise (narrow 2 lane road with lots of traffic). Pretty great that you teach Art at the high school. I've taught elementary and middle school (never again at the middle school level), and think one day high school might be worth a try. I hear they turn normal again after their brief time spent in the "formative" years of adolescence.

[Geonz]

The roads near schools are notoriously nasty. You might want to see if there's any organization near you applying for "safe routes to school" funds and give 'em some input!