When summer’s winding down, it’s always astonishing that the sun sets so early. Yesterday, I set out for the Schuylkill River Trail at 7 p.m. The sunset had begun, and it was the first day of September, but still, the sky turning orange, then darkening by the time I got just 5 miles out, surprised me.

Bicycling can be risky, even in the daytime. (On 19^th street yesterday, a woman on a bicycle switched to the left lane, and a car, trying to pass her at the exact same time, screeched its brakes and missed hitting her by an inch.)

Riding at dusk and in the dark can be more perilous—even on a bike path.

Here are some recommendations that occurred to me – to keep my bike and myself in one piece – while accidentally riding in the not-so-lighted hours last night.

1. Be Illuminated. Put lights on your bike on the front, back and sides (do it now, because you will definitely, at some time, end up in the dark by accident); wear iridescent clothing; put reflective tape on your helmet. I just bought my bike, used from a friend, and it doesn’t have anything reflective. However, I did have a light kit in the basement (which didn’t help last night but will next time!) (PS did you read the book Everything is Illuminated? Great literary fiction!)
2. When I got my new used bike tuned up at Breakaway Bikes, I picked up these awesome sunglasses, which come with 3 lenses: these gray ones the hot model pictured (ahem) is wearing for sun; rose for cloudy days; and clear for who-knew-what until last night. The clear, as it turns out, are for cycling in the dusk (and dawn—which I truly never experience except for when I have to get up to pee) to protect your eyes from wind and debris and all the little bugs that fly into them. The trick is to actually wear the clear ones – not the gray ones that make darkness darker during sunset, when you lose depth perception and the ability to see runners, walkers, and other riders.
3. Bring your cell phone. It’s so great to be disconnected. But when you’re riding on a trail where you may not have immediate access to “civilization,” you need to be able to connect. (PS – make sure your phone is fully charged, especially if you’re using a GPS app like Map My Ride that eats phone juice) (PPS – probably not a bad idea to use an app like Map My Ride, so people can find you if you are abducted at dusk (or dawn)). (If this does happen, make sure you keep your phone with you and the Location Setting is On).
4. Know your surroundings. This kind of goes along with #3. Philadelphia’s Schuylkill River Trail was named the Best Urban Trail in the Nation. Still, on many parts, there is some expanse where you will be riding alone and/or without the ability to get off the path.
5. Be aware of other cyclists. They don’t always stay right. They may be riding casually having conversation. Their blinking LED lights can be blinding. They may be coming home from the Conshohocken Brew Pub. Don’t make assumptions; always call out “on your left” and slow down when encountering oncoming riders.
6. Finally… know when the sun will set BEFORE you leave for your ride. (Here’s a sunset chart for riders on the SRT). Last night it was 7:33. By 8:10 (when I was already home thankfully), it was Really Night Time.

Tomorrow sunset will be 7:30. In just two weeks it will be 7:09. In 3 months, 4:37 pm. What?!? That’s almost morning. By then, we’ll segue to indoor spin classes. In the meantime, enjoy the last weeks of summer and the fall, and be safe day or night!