The Hub
(the owner's blog)

neither rain, nor sleet, nor gloom of night...

It’s raining outside my office window.  People are scurrying in and out of the building shielding themselves against the wet onslaught with umbrellas.  You can tell it’s one of those all day rains.  There is no break in the clouds.  No waiting it out.   No Thursday evening group ride.

The Weather Channel website shows pictures of rain drops falling from clouds for the next 5 days – including the weekend.  No riding this week.  It’s depressing.

Now I’ve heard that cyclists in the northwest U.S. ride in the rain.  Do they enjoy it?  Or, do they simply endure it?  Maybe it rains so much you have to ride in the rain or not ride at all.  There was a time when I tried riding in the rain.  I purchased a rain suit, jacket and pants.  They were effective for keeping the rain off -but they caused me to sweat so much I would still end up soaking wet.   I’d rather get wet from the rain.

Even though I won’t start a ride when it’s raining, it is not uncommon to get caught in the rain while riding.  The weather is beautiful when the ride starts but then it begins to cloud over and grow darker.  I up the pace in a vain attempt to out run it.  The first few drops splash on my face and I push even harder.  But it’s futile.  In a matter of minutes my tire is spraying my backside, my socks squish, and the rain stings my face.  Then something strange happens.  I begin to imagine myself as a hard rider who endures the toughest conditions.  It’s April in Belgium.  The harder it rains the harder I ride.  Nothing can stop me.  It’s invigorating.  I feel alive.  I ride purposefully through puddles just for the joy of it.

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