You know how the other day I wrote about that ocean swim... and I said that it's great to train in challenging conditions because then most of the time you can say, "I've been in worse..." Well, today I may have set a new benchmark for myself as far as riding in crap conditions. I can see myself in the future comparing all windy/rainy days to today as my new benchmark for bad.
I will say, the temperature was fine. At least I was not cold. So that was a plus. But that was about the only plus. It was yet another day of howling winds and the squalls that came ripping along the coastline, dumping buckets of rain, were just not that fun to ride through. In fact, let's call a spade a spade. It was not safe. I do think that the planned intervals I had for today made it all the more challenging, because riding fast on very wet roads like that while the wind is trying to blow you sideways off your bike is flat out scary. BUT, I did it. Nailed the workout, did not crash, and am going to be tougher for it. Here's to hoping that the conditions at IMCdA involve 20+ mph winds and dumping rain. If so, I'll be completely prepared.
But oh, my poor bike. She's on her way back to assuming her normal condition of being a dirty mess.
I did part of the ride today with a couple of friends. At a rest stop Sandy and I were in the bathroom together discussing how we treat our saddle sores. Casual. Like that is the most normal thing in the world to be talking about. Don't all women discuss things like this while in the bathroom?
9 comments:
The year I did all the rainy rides, I ended up having winds and pouring rain at Boise 70.3 - at least I knew how to handle it! You are prepared for everything and stronger because of it!
Nice! I will keep my fingers crossed for rain and wind at IMCdA for you:)
I was freezing my butt off at 42 degrees temperature. But I loved being outside!
Don't even go out on the bike if the road is wet, the only time I ride in the rain is when I get caught in a freak storm. Sometime I feel like a total wuss for doing this, I mean all the real cyclists ride in the rain.
@Kiet... I remember living in Arizona and if there was a 40% chance of rain we wouldn't go out. That just makes me laugh now. Fully 50% of the riding I do all winter here is in the rain. If I didn't ride in the rain, I wouldn't ride here. You just get used to it I guess. But boy do our bikes pay the price!
Oh, and I neglected to mention anything about all the crap in the road and the flat tire I had the pleasure of changing today. Again. That's two this week. Excellent. But since I'm looking at the bright side of things, I'll say that my flat tire changing skills are getting good! :)
i'm actually just hoping it's so windy and rainy that they decided to cancel the swim ;)!!!!!! and then super, blistering hot for the rest of the day. he he he
Glad you had a challenging bike and it went well!
Ok, maybe I'm a wuss, but I have no faith in the drivers here to bike in those conditions. Mind you, I trust myself, but no one else! Glad you still nailed it safely.
Dumping rain and 20mph winds--uh, no thanks! I'll sit out that race and cheer you and Kerri on.
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