Yesterday my partner Meg and I took our dog Boomer to Symonds Yat and hiked around the woods for about 4 hours. The forecast said heavy rain all day, no respite. We dressed accordingly and got going. There was light rain on and off for an hour, then nothing for the rest of the afternoon. We got lucky, it was a lovely hike.
Today, I looked at the forecast again – from 11:00 onwards: heavy rain. No respite until evening. But I wanted to ride. So I texted Ben, (and Stu, who very wisely declined) and suited up for a wet ride, hoping it would be like yesterday, but knowing that it was more likely my luck would run out. And it did.
But here’s the thing about riding in the rain: if you’re expecting it, and sometimes even if you’re not, it can be a really good time. It’s slower, sure. We took on a route with some sketchy descents at the best of times let alone in the wet. There were a few real squeaky bum time moments where my brakes were not having the desired effect, my levers pulled back so far they touched the bars (not good) but despite that, and my rear hub steadily making more and more noise until it became embarrassing, I really enjoyed myself.
We were out in the saddle for a little over 4 hours, 3:50 moving time, a few short stops to check my Garmin (there’s no mount for it on my winter bike) and a 10 min coffee stop in Guiting Power to warm up. 20 minutes from home we saw the edge of the weather front, blue sky behind it, and even got a few moments of sunshine to remind us how warm it *could* have been.
Don’t let the rain put you off riding. It’s incredibly satisfying to get out in it, and I think it makes you appreciate the better weather, if and when it arrives.
-esp
