Another good reason to ride out at 5:30am - if you can:
Beat the heat on these 100 degree heat index days.
I've got a butter smooth, lightly traveled road through well kept farms and past country homes - into and over small misty valleys, often with marked temperature changes. Sometimes almost chilly in my mesh jacket.
It's not full dark, so the visibility is no problem - spotted that trio of crossing raccoons easily. And the odd dumb juvenile squirrel.
(Nice time to ponder things - like that lucky member who had a long career teaching music to youngsters. Teaching kids is a terrifically important job. Right up there with the military, the clergy, medicos, and first responders, in my book.)
Afterwards....You've the whole day to do some serious goofing off!
Stig