Earlier this week I read this posting of a mountain bike ride with the Night Riders: “Yes, we are having a Halloween Full Moon Night ride this Friday. Bats and howling Coyotes guaranteed. We will however attempt to limit sacrifices to the crash-gods. Meet 7:00pm at Hunting Hollow.”

It sounded like a lot of fun so I decided to join. Maybe it was because I showed up at Witching Hallow, instead of Hunting Hallow, that only one other person showed up, Thom. We waited for about 30 minutes thinking that maybe there might be another brave soul who would venture off into the dark with us during Halloween. But no one else showed so we decided to head out.

As we were climbing I noticed more frogs than I had ever seen before. They were darting back and forth as I made my way up the hill. What could cause all these frogs to cross our path. Then I suddenly saw a BIG frog right in the middle of the road, staring up at me. I had been careful to not run over any of the frogs, but this one was almost tempting me to run over it. Maybe that might release the curse from some prince, or maybe a monster. I decided to make a quick turn and avoid collision.

We had climbed for over an hour when I noticed up the road what look like 2 eyes reflecting back from the spot light on helmet. I stopped and paused to figure out what it might be but it was too dark to see. The full moon was hiding much of it’s face behind clouds, casting a creepy shadow on the earth. I started to ride on and then this creature darted off. It looked like it was flying but I was not sure. Could a bird’s eye shine back like that?

Up around the next bend, I saw it again and as I proceeded it darted off again and this time I was sure it was flying. Then a third time I saw the eyes off in the distance in the middle of the road. Thom said there were two of us and we bigger so we should go ahead. I followed behind him, peaking around his bike, and noticed once again it flew away. Then I remember we had been guaranteed bats on this ride.

I had turned my light on dim to save battery power as we were going up a rather steep section. All of a sudden my handle bars began to sway back and forth, like a divining rod. I nearly went over due to the force. I quickly turned my trusty BR Light on to bright and then my handle bars settled down.

After about 8 miles of climbing we decided that we had enough of the creepy creatures so we headed back down. I was a bit concerned as we approached the area where that flying creature was lurking. As I went around a bend, something flew up right in front of me, almost hitting my face. Thom saw it and can vouch that I am not exaggerating. It was an owl, or a bat, or some creature that only comes out on Halloween.

The air was turning cold but I was not about to stop to put on my jacket. We hammered down the hill and my heart rate only settled down when we reached the cars. It really was a Halloween Ride.

Categories: Cycling Group Rides
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