While my fear has abated somewhat, I do not push hard to get out in front. I make sure I can hear Jesse and Doug right behind me. Their lights help reveal what's in front of me. After three or four miles of twisting turns we hit the power lines access road. The sky is clear.
Stars pepper the sky.
The moon is full and bright. We turn off our artificial sources and ride in the glow of the mid-night sun. At the road we head back into Issaquah. While we coast down to Front Street we relive each smooth turn and close call with disaster. I, however, do not confess to my moment of panic.