Last night should have been the monthly Dads Night Out in the village pub, but various people dropped out, so a mate and I decided to go out for a ride. Despite it having rained most of the week and the trails being sloppy on Wednesday night.
He's off alcohol after over imbibing last weekend, so we stupidly opted to explore some of the bridleways we had been neglecting a bit this year and head for a well known coffee chain establishment on the edge of Derby - which shuts at 8.00pm, we discovered. At 8.30.
But what a night - 15 miles linking up sloppy bridleways, a couple of cheeky footpaths, never out of sight or sound of a firework display as the sky cleared to give fantastic views of the stars. Along the way we disturbed a tawny owl who flew off in front of us, and later, along a road section we disturbed a barn owl who glided and swooped in front of us for a couple of hundred metres before heading into one of the farms - first time either of us had seen one in real life flying.
Finished the evening sitting out on his patio - in November ffs - bikes and boots hosed down, drinking hot chocolate and eating home made cake under the stars listening to a Little owl calling as it went past.
Fantastic night. As my mate said - "I like going to the pub for a beer with the guys, but they will never get to experience nights like this"
I love these posts - thank you.
It sounds bloody awesome, and clears away my undecidedness about going out in the FoD on my new bike tomorrow evening!
I've been lucky enough to see a few Owls out night riding , had one stay just in font maybe 5/6 feet away for a couple of hundred meters then just turn and disappear into the dark very surreal experience .
I had an owl in front of me on the trail earlier this year. It took off but flew towards me over my head. Fantastic. I Like listening to them calling too. Very atmospheric , especially when you're out on your own.
We see a lot of badgers too. Lovely to see them alive rather than splatted at the side of the road, which probably would be the only way I'd see them if I didn't nightride.
So owls often follow others too, not just me then. Awesome creatures.
I had an owl swoop into the beam of my head light on a night ride. It startled me, but was really impressive.
I like these posts,it's great when we can have a simple bike ride & just enjoy the moment.
There's a route I do,just a keep fit loop around rural West Lancs,so easy I've done it on a road bike where it's just great to see how things change as you go through the seasons.One misty day I was cycling along it with a barn owl flying parallel close to me for a few hundred metres,hunting above the sedge & reeds,just a brilliant moment.
Sounds a bit "Brokeback 'Mountain" to me. 😆
8)
Yep, saw the Northern Lights this week on ours 🙂