8 November 2011 Ride: 45, The Wet Way

Waking up this morning, I had no doubt that I would be riding in the rain.  Riding early was the preferred time as strong thunderstorms were supposed to move through the area starting around noon.  Up at 4:50 (maybe it was the rain that woke me up, calling me, beckoning me), and finally at the parking lot of the Botanical Garden a little before 7:00.  On this wet day, the plan was to mostly stick to the bike trail.

I like rain.  I especially like bike riding in rain.  I like walking in the rain, working in the rain, playing in the rain.  Several years ago, when my 8 year-old niece was visiting, she stood by and watched with one of those "what is he doing?" looks as I initiated sliding in the mud on a rainy day.  Rachel has inherited my love for being out in the rain.  I think David has as well.  Carol would prefer to stay dry.

I had plenty of opportunity to ride in the rain this morning.  Light rain, moderate rain, steady rain, downpour rain, you name it, I had it.  No hail, but that's not rain.  That also meant the camera stayed tucked away for most of the ride.  I did sneak it out on a couple of occasions when the rain was on the light side.

It was interesting to ride by the streams that run next to the trail and see how full they were.  With heavier rain on the way, I wondered if portions of the trail would be underwater on the return.

But, I wasn't overly concerned as I was enjoying the day, the rain.  I set my goal for at least 30 miles for the day but quickly pushed it to 35.

On my return from the downtown area, I decided to bypass the underpasses and tunnel that were cluttered with leaves and twigs and mud and venture out on the surface roads, hooking back up with the trail near Panera's.  There was also a lull in the rain but off to the north and west was a thick layer of ominous clouds with lightening emitting from its depths.  Shortly after I took the above picture, the skies opened up with the wind pelting the rain almost blindingly in my face.  All was good.


I made my way slowly back to the Botanical Garden, heading back and forth on the trail to add miles.  Sure, let's go 40.  The rain was steady now and I must have been sufficiently numb as I felt well insulated noticing neither the rain nor wind.  All right, let's make it 45.  I was on the last mile for 45 when I was considering 50 and suddenly remembered why I had planned to be off the trail by noon when a beautiful vertical white bolt of lightening flashed right before me.  Maybe 50 wasn't such a good idea.  It's funny how lightening can suddenly make one pedal faster when it is a totally irrational act.  Getting to the point where I needed to turn around on the trail, I kept looking over my shoulder as if to make sure that that bolt of lightening wasn't catching up with me.  Calling it a day was good as several close strikes followed once I was off.

On the way home I saw the horses standing very still in the rain; I'm not sure if they like it or not.

Today's Ride:  4hrs 18mins.  45.11 miles.  56°   Miles YTD:  8,597.4  (I should have ridden 2.6 more miles.  Then again...)

Number of miles per day needed to reach 10,000 miles by the end of the year: 26.46

Donations for Biking for Food, which support the Community Meals at St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Fayetteville, AR, can be sent to:  Biking for Food,  St Paul’s Episcopal Church,   224 N. East Ave.,   Fayetteville, AR  72701

Or, make a pledge per bike miles ridden at  www.stpaulsfay.org/bikingforfood.html.

 To see older postings, search the Archives listed on the right had panel.

To see postings before 15 August 2011, please go to www.mylifeasabike2.blogspot.com

To see postings before 11 June 2011, please go to www.mylifeasabike.blogspot.com