The Puget Sound area is getting hit with a lot of warm moisture from what's known as a "Pineapple Express." Sunday night I made the mistake of watching the news and dire predictions of massive downpours and flooding made me nervous enough to take the bus on Monday. Yeah, I felt like a wimp. And to make things worse, my colleague Mark rode in yesterday and confirmed my suspicion, "what a great day to ride!" he said.I rode in today and it really is a great day to ride. My pal Michael Rasmussen (the famous bike commuter, not the famous bike racer) has commented that he never regrets biking to work, but he often regrets the times when he drives to work. That's how I felt Monday. Maybe if it had been really horrible I would've felt different, but it was really just predicted to be wet. And wet isn't really horrible.
I feel for you, man. I looked at the crazy downpour, realized I was only going for an hour for the gig, realized I would be wet the entire time I was there and wet on the way back, and found the car keys and drove. I'm with you and Michael on this one. Regretted it. Got a nice ride in today though. Just shake off past mistakes, man!
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ReplyDeleteHow many times in your life have you gone on a bike ride and wished you had stayed home? I never have, but I sure have regretted the times I didn't ride - especially if I drove somewhere instead.
ReplyDeleteOne of my friends has a motto about weather forecasts - "go anyways!" More often than not the weather isn't half as bad as you imagined.
I just finished preping my winter bike and I can't wait for the first real blizzard!
Me three. I didn't ride yesterday, thinking 'well, there will be other days this week to ride - ones that won't be so wet.' I regretted my decision, though. I felt tired and sluggish all day. Today, it's just as wet but not as warm. I rode anyway, and I feel much better. I'm looking forward to riding to my local polling place later to cast my ballot, even though I will be soggy when I get there. Soggy beats sluggish.
ReplyDeleteI have this same feeling every time there is a question about whether should I ride vs. drive: always unhappy when I've taken the car instead.
ReplyDeleteKent, I haven't ridden in almost a week. Finally got back on the horse today. Felt a little whimpy, but it really came down to safety for me. My commute is 10 miles on crappy twisty unlit back roads and freeway with construction obstacles. There was and still is a huge glaze of fir needles and matted maples leaves in places, not to mention the big hunks of tree that still litter the road. Driving was hazardous enough the few days that I did it.
ReplyDeleteBeing wet is fine, but navigating hazardous road conditions is a whole other ballgame.
Yes, ride anyway. That's what fenders are for, eh?
ReplyDeleteThanks to your blog, I rode anyway today. It was grey outside, looks like it may rain, I was still stiff and sore from yesterday's visit to the chiropractor, and I got a late start. But I rode anyway, and feel terrific because of it.
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p.s. I've got fenders
Hey I'm from CA and was walking from downtown (1st and Madison to 5th and Mercer) on the crazy Monday at 7:30-8:00 am . Didn't have a change of clothes, and just accepted that I was going to be wet. (drenched really) But what gave me goosebumps was seeing all you CRAZY SEATTLE BIKE COMMUTERS! Dude. That was awesome.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I can inspire some people down here in Silicon Valley to start riding when there is NO EXCUSE not to.
Ride Anyway. I am totally with you in terms of regretting driving when it happens. Did not regret the walk.
Hey, Kent, it’s also good to see that you’re human. (Just jokin’.) Stuff like that does happen, especially when you get that feeling that you shouldn’t go today. Nothing wrong with that occasional zero day.
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Folks looking for tips about riding in the rain should search this blog (there's a search box near the top) for "Neither Rain Nor Gloom of Night". That'll take you to the text of a talk I gave on what clothes work and various techniques for riding in the rain.
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