Dealing with the Darkness

I grew up in Northern Ohio just outside Cleveland. It is in the western part of the eastern time zone and sunsets at the end of June are around 9:00 P.M. and in December around 5:00 P.M. Chicago, on the other hand, is at the eastern part of the central time zone. Sunsets in June are around 8:30 P.M. and in December around 2:30 in the afternoon. (Actually it's around 4:20 P.M. but if its cloudy, the street lights start coming on around 2:30).

So, as summer wanes, we must flirt with darkness on our Wednesday night rides. The sunset last night was 7:50, and it was a clear evening. We start our ride about 6:30 and ride between 24-26 miles. Our "slower fast group" averages over 18 mph. So, without getting all technical and showing you all my calculations, this means our rides end at approximately, sunset.

Fortunately, unlike cycling, drinking beer is an activity well suited for after sunset.

"Rage, rage, against the dying of the light." Dylan Thomas