You are sitting on the couch. 

You have the remote in your hand, and going through the channels. 

Then, out of the blue, you get up. 

‘It’s happening.’ 

You get your bike lights and attach them. 

You stick with what you are wearing, the hoodie is perfect. 

You lock your door. 

‘Left, or right?’ 

It does not matter. 

Night rides have no route or destination. 

They are all about fun. 

They are all about riding through your city. 

Downtown streets, cool neighbourhoods, quiet residential streets. 

Looking, listening, observing, stopping. 

Noticing clubs with line ups. 

Listening to a conversation at a red light. 

Observing the way a building is lit up at night. 

Stopping to look out over the river. 

You never want them to end. 

Everything you are familiar with becomes unfamiliar. 

I think that is the beauty of a night ride. 

You ride past a patio, it is quiet, and it is perfect. 

You lean your bike against the railing. 

There is a seat right beside your bike. 

You take it, and order a Pint, knowing all along, that the party starts when you get back on your bike. 

You drink it a little too fast and think about a second. 

‘No, one is good, it is Tuesday,’ you think. 

You hop back on your bike and wind your way home, taking the long way. 

You put your bike away. 

You go to take the lights off but decide to leave them on. 

‘Stranger in the Night.’ 

Insert trophy emoji here. 

‘There is another way to ride.’