Night Riders

Let’s go for a ride.

Not just any ride, but a trail ride, after sunset of course, under a canopy of stars and twinkling city lights.

Nervous? You shouldn’t be. We’ll bring some water, a guide or two, and we’ll hold down the pace. We’ll even wait for you if you get behind.

The “Greenriders” mountain bike club of Whittier live by these night moves. “It’s an adrenaline rush,” says Alfred Moreno, a founding club member. “The difficulties and challenges of riding are even more exciting at night.”

The night riders gather at a bicycle shop, wearing helmets, brightly colored shirts and other clothing designed to hold in body heat. Each bike has full front and back suspension, and more than 20 gears to tame the unforgiving trails. Most important is a headlight, powered by a battery and charged for a lengthy ride.

Greenrider organizer Paul Holguin sums it up: “It’s the nature and the night wildlife that’s so relaxing. There’s no TV and no commercials.”