Cycling at Night in Kampala: A Lesson and Triumph in One Night

Adventure!

If you know me well enough, you know I will be down to try out almost anything just because well, I love the feeling of being full of Life and trying new things is one certified recipe for great results, in that regard.

I have my limits though!

Cycling at night for example

Before I started riding, I considered folks that rode their bikes at night super crazzzzzyyyy

I mean how much can you hate your life to decide to ride with the LOWLIEST OF VEHICLES (bicycles) which mostly NEVER possess HEADLIGHTS, on roads with SEVERELY DEEP POTHOLES dominated by BIGGER VEHICLES – all MOVING WITH “URGENT HASTE” to get the Johnny-on-the-spot title on reaching their destinations ?!

In fact, I assured my mom (who is btw very very very concerned that I ride a bike) that “HELL NO, mummy, why would I do that? It’s insane!”

But here is the thing, NEVER SAY NEVER

It’s until you have a proposal submission deadline at 6:30 pm – about 30 minutes before sunset, that you realise, you would rather be worried about hitting the submit button before the deadline, than what time the sun will set.

It has happened to me before.

So yes, I am one of those very insane cyclists I once thought I would NEVER be

And as of now, I have mastered my route back home well enough to ride with my eyes closed.

I thought that’s as far as my insanity would go

Till my friend’s birthday dinner happened, when I cycled at night through a route I had not explored before

And today I will give an account of what initially was a pitiful situation, gave me the most unforgettable cycling-night of my life, so far

My friends and I had earlier planned to take one of the guys out for a surprise dinner on his birthday, at a fancy restaurant in Kampala

Regarding transport, I had my options clearly laid out: either ride to the restaurant, and from the restaurant to the after-party venue or get on a bodaboda to the restaurant and get a lift to the after-party venue from one of my friends.

The dinner was meant to start at 4pm and you know what choice I went with, right?

MY BIKE, DUDE!

It was the most convenient choice considering I was not willing to spend money on transport, yet I could use my bike which comes with zero expenditure in regards to transportation expenses.

Plus, the dinner didn’t require “actual” dinner clothes

So yes, my boyfriend jeans and a crop-top were FLY enough for the EVENT!

Tiktok on the clock, it was a half past three – a few minutes before the dinner could start.

I got onto my bike to head for Karveli Restaurant as I continuously reminded myself, “I have ridden at night before!” just to ignore any thoughts that tried talking me out of using my bike.

Once I was at Karveli, my friends and I had a fun evening attributed with catching up, eating delish food and cake, singing and taking loads and loads of photos.

When it was time to head out for the after-party, everyone convinced me about how it was too late for me to ride at night and how my bike would fit in one of the cars taking us to the after-party venue

And by everyone, I mean EVERYONE

The car we are talking about was a Subaru!

I must say, its interior seemed spacious to carry my bike

However, after myriad efforts of trying to fit the bike within the boot, we came to terms with the fact that it was never going to fit

And I mean, I was already feeling guilty for having my bike become an inconvenience at that time and a stumbling block to the next big hang-out, for everyone.

You might also be wondering why in the freaking world, I have to be such a fanatical cyclist that I brought my bike that day and put everything on a pause just so everyone makes sure I am comfortable.

Well, one: I mentioned it being a convenient and economical mode of transport

Then two: I envisioned I would eat a lot (which I did) and cycling would be a catalyst for cutting down the food

Lastly, that was a test for my friends – which they past! 😃

Considering that one went on to offer to ride the bike instead of me, as he considered it risky for me to do so at night.

That was sweet, right?!

Not as such, because well, in my head I was thinking, “okay, I know Jonah didn’t mean to be sexist but what difference does it make if he rode it instead of me?”

Plus, I had occasionally ridden at night and I was not sure if he had done so before and so I trusted me more with my bike at night.

Eventually, I went verbal about my latter thought as Lucy attested to it since we sometimes part ways from work, at nightfall.

After pragmatically reasoning it out with Jonah and Lucy that I can ride at night, I got on my bike and assured the crew I would ensure to reach not so much later than them – even when most of them still thought it wasn’t a good idea

In fact, this gave me more zeal to prove them wrong

Onto the road, I swayed 😎 – I find myself doing so when in high spirits!

From Karveli, I headed out for the route I use from work and this time round not getting off the bike when I approached the hills I usually consider unmanageable – such is the power of adrenaline and zeal combined.

I mean I had a target to hit: to reach as early as possible and also prove how good I had gotten at cycling, let alone at night

Meanwhile we are talking about 7:30pm-night not 11 pm – I know my limits (seriously)

The ride was as smooth as it could be as I not only had my route lit with street lights but also tarmacked, which cut from Karveli to Lugala (a village close to the village where the after party was)

The actual terror started when I got onto the rugged terrain off the main road that for the most part, had no lights

It was the longest intolerable bumpy ride I have ever had my entire life!!!!

Potholes and darkness on a bike is not something you want your worst enemy to experience!

And trust me, bumping into a deep pothole is like a stab to the part of the body that makes contact with the bike’s seat post – VERY DISCOMFORTING

Ouch!

In that moment, I swore, “NEVER WILL I EVER RIDE MY BIKE AT NIGHT USING A ROUTE I AM NOT ACQUAINTED WITH!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

Good for me, right?

Not yet! 😛

As I continued through my horrifying journey and giving myself the “you-can-do-this-Brenda” pep talk, a miracle happened

Not an actual one per se, but in that moment, it was the most impossible thing I expected to happen

A bodaboda came from behind and out of the blue, decelerated on getting beside me.

“Of course, he is going to blurt out the “usual” comments I get!”, I thought to myself as I considered to be heedless to anything he said

Meanwhile, it was about 8 PM and there were pedestrians on the road, so I wasn’t worried about him getting physical with me (in case it popped into your mind)

Anyways, surprisingly or not surprisingly, the rider goes like, “WOW, good for jogging!”

Not sure whether to contemplate what part of jogging I was doing or just digest the statement as a compliment, I just decided to go with the latter.

“Thank you!” I replied

He goes on, “I am happy to see you riding a bicycle, let me light your way…. hopefully you are going to Sentema road”

Yas dude yassssssssssssssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wasn’t that verbal about my excitement of course, in an effort to stay COOL😎😄

But given the jolting experience as a result of the potholes in darkness, his offer deserved more than just a Yes

A huge thank you and a great conversation about cycling is what I gave in return as he lit my way to my next route that was better lit and tarmacked.

Better still, I reached the venue before my friends who of course applauded my guts and attributed their tardiness to traffic – clearly they need bikes!

From that day, I learnt my lesson – trust me!

I don’t remember if I have dared to ride through a new route after dusk, ever again!!!!!

And yes I know, I need me a head light!

I have since been searching for a headlight for my bicycle but in vain and I am at the stage of making one myself

Your feedback about this post and recommendations for how I can DIY a headlight are very much welcome in the comments below!🤗