was I insane?

[al78]

On Friday evening I had a bridge match in Hove and since I hadn't done much distance mileage due to poor weather cancelling the club rides I decided to have a go at cycling there and back (I live near Horsham). I set off about 5:40pm through Horsham town center, straight down the A281, via Mannings Heath, Henfield (bustling with late night shoppers), onto the Devils Dyke road and over the South Downs (hell of a view over Brighton), over the A27 and down into Hove. 23.5 miles in total, dry, mild conditions. The match finished later than I expected and I didn't get out until nearly midnight. I was intending cycling back via Shoreham, Steyning, Partridge Green and along the minor roads back through Horsham but one of the team mates insisted on giving me a lift back home. I got the impression everyone thought I was taking my life in my hands attempting to cycle back home. The guy wouldn't even accept any money for petrol. He ended up doing a 54 mile round trip when he lived only 100 yards from the venue. Very kind of him I thought!

Was it really so silly of me to attempt this journey on a bike?

 

[snorri]

Was it really so silly of me to attempt this journey on a bike?

Don't know the area at all, perhaps it's bandit country?

 

[Tollers]

Not sooooo silly, but not best idea in the world. I think your friends probably just didnt understand that you're a hard as nails!

Tollers

Unless you didnt have proper clothes, patches etc in which case you'd be mental.

 

[661-Pete]

A lot depends on whether you had good enough lights on the bike, to see by as well as to be seen on those sort of roads. And suitable clothing of course! Remember that at this time of year temperatures, even in Sussex, can drop well below freezing at that time of night!

I admire your fortitude in choosing to tackle the climb over the Downs via Saddlescombe, as part of a 24-mile commute! I know most of those roads well, if you want any suggestions for alternative routes just ask! Though when you get to the Downs there isn't really any alternative: it's up, up and then up...

And I think you should have stood your ground, and stuck to your plan to do the ride home, if you felt up to it: don't let the others talk you out of it! Maybe there'll be a next time?

A few years ago I was doing a weekly nocturnal ride, to attend an evening class, from Burgess Hill to Newhaven and back (about 17 miles each way). This too went on through the winter and conditions were often freezing, it was also on poorly-lit roads (I had good lights). Of course that route was a lot flatter than yours with hardly any hills to speak of (I used to 'chicken out' of Winterbourne Hollow in Lewes, on the return leg). I used to set out on the return trip at about 10pm and it took a bit under 1½ hours. But I'm less fit now than I was then, don't know whether I'd care to repeat the exploit now. But it was good while it lasted!

 

[kevin_cambs_uk]

I went out for my xmas meal at work last week. I hate drinking so left early, went back to work and cycled home.

This was about 10.15 pm when I got in, I did think it a bit strange but I enjoyed the car free roads !

 

[Vikeonabike]

Riding late at night isn't any more of a problem than at any other time of the day. However if you are riding unlit minor roads and something does happen you may not get "found" as quickly as you would do on a major road!
I ride after midnight on a lot of occasions due to shift work and to be honest I love it because of the empty roads!

 

[661-Pete]

Carry a (fully-charged) phone, and make sure you have the number, either of a taxi firm, or of someone who can come and rescue you. Even jobs like fixing a 'fairy visit' can be no fun in bitter cold and complete darkness!

 

[Chamfus Flange]

I think you're doing the right thing.

Having said that I get a lot of comments from friend and others that I'm completely mad for riding a bike at any time of the day, for any distance. They seem to be under the impression that you are either poor or mad: Poor and thus unable to afford a car (or bus, although most don't seem to know where these run); mad on the discovery you have a car.

Keep it going...

 

[al78]

Nice to know at least a few people don't think it is too crazy .

I have another match in Shoreham in mid January so will probably have another go. At least in that case it is slightly shorter and I can take the easy route through the Downs following the river Adur.

I carry two spare tubes, patch kit, mobile phone, multitool, headtorch, waterproofs (if threatening rain), winter gloves, fleece hat and an energy drink. I recently upgraded the tyres to Specialized Armadillos and have an excellent hub dynamo setup so I think I am well enough equipped for such journeys (feel free to say if I have missed anything).

 

[Stephenite]

No, you aren't insane. Just mad!!

What about a chocolate bar, or some kind of snack, in case you're out for longer than expected. Otherwise, you seem very well prepared.

Or, even, a cheeky wee dram (tis the season..)

 

[Madcyclist]

Not mad at all Al, I used to ride 17 miles each way to winter club nights often incorporating either roller sessions or circuit training when I got there, leaving the car at home. I would often ruin it all with a Doner kebab if i was hungry as I got close to home. the kebab man certainly thought i was crazy.

 

[Matthames]

Or, even, a cheeky wee dram (tis the season..)

If you end up stuck in the back end of nowhere, alcohol is the last thing you need! It will make you succumb to the effects of hypothermia a lot quicker as it counters your bodies own survival mechanism. I have read enough marine accident reports where the difference between the survivors and those that perished was that those who perished had all consumed alcohol prior to the accident occurring. So save that stiff drink for when you are back at home and not at risk of your body temperature dropping off

 

[BentMikey]

What's wrong with cycling at night? Completely normal, although perhaps not for salad dodging couch potatoes anyway.

 

[hackbike 666]

I prefer riding in the dark hours.I feel more at home.

 

[cyberknight]

When i was on shifts we used to start and finish early on friday nights and i was happy to cycle home at 3 am on a saturday morning .