I want the Bureau of Meteorology to investigate.

This morning I woke just a shade before 5am and as the house was in an unusually quiet state, I thought I might sneak out for a quick spin. But as soon as I uttered the words, "I think I'll go for a bike ride", there was a flash of lightning and a crash of thunder and the rain thumped down.

Well, the raining bit actually happened, at least.

Hmm. Oh well, I was awake and the rain wouldn't last for ever. Surely there was still hope? I checked the BoM radar and apart from the patch of rain hanging over my house, the skies looked pretty clear.

"OK", I thought, "that'll blow over soon."

And sure enough, the rain cleared as I busied myself with one or two domestic duties (although what domestic duties need attention at 5am on a Saturday morning, I'll leave to your imagination). Time to get moving then: I gathered my gear together and donned the super hero outfit. And then, just as I was about to go out and jump in the saddle—down it came again.

Now, I don't mind riding in the rain. In fact, I quite enjoy it. But it normally happens in one of two ways: either it starts after I'm already moving or it's already raining when I have to leave to/from work. But when it's a (rare) ride for fun and recreation, I'm faintly disinclined to go out and get drenched immediately. Call me soft, but there it is.

I looked at the wet, dark skies and looked at all of the cycling gear I'd just pulled on and looked at the still-warm bed I'd recently vacated. Torn, I was, between a strong desire to go for a tootle and an almost equally strong desire to stay dry and warm. And I knew I wouldn't forgive myself if I missed this chance to go for a quick ride.

So I waited for awhile.

"Bugger it", I said, "I'm going back to bed."

And I peeled off all the lycra but just as I was about to crawl back under the covers, the rain abruptly stopped. Now, if the BoM radar was to be believed, that really was the last of it and I was in the clear.

"Grrr", I grrred as I put all the damn bike gear back on.

So after vacillating for nearly an hour, it turns out that I had a rather pleasant little outing to Sandringham and back, enjoyed the hiss of my tyres on wet tarmac, was thoroughly soaked by a persistent drizzle that wouldn't have shown up on the radar anyhow, and got back in time to be snuggled in bed before the Co-Pilot's usual wake-up call.

But here's what I want investigated: is there an inverse relationship between the state of dress and readiness of a cyclist on a Saturday morning and the presence of rain? Because it certainly felt like it this morning.

P.S. If I find the prick who left a nearly-full bottle of beer in the middle of the bike lane on Rowans Road last night, I'll stick the bloody thing so far up his arse the doctor will need elbow-length gloves and an industrial-sized tub of Vaseline to remove it. That ain't an easy obstacle to detect and avoid in the dark.

Comments

Nick

When you've finished doing whatever it is you're intending to do with my beer, can I have it back please?

Treadly and Me

OK Nick, we'll be around with a "special delivery" shortly…

Treadly and Me

I'm glad I'm not the only one who needs to HTFU! But I reckon I want one of those alarms—as long as I could set it for "wake me up when it's all over".

I've long since given up wondering about headwinds and now just accept it as part of the natural order: other cyclists should avoid riding in the same direction as me because I always have a headwind.

Adrian

I remember watching a show about an invention built for surfers. Basically it would use a website with info on the swell which connected to your pillow. If the waves were good, the pillow would vibrate to gently wake you up. If they were no good, then you could safely rest in bed in the knowledge that you wern't missing anything. That still doesn't solve your problem with the BoM but a similar invention would be nice for cyclists.

tom

What is it about rain that keeps us from riding? I feel the same.... if its raining before I leave I'm reluctant. It it starts raining while I'm already on the rode.... i usually laugh aloud somewhere along the ride.

The beer wasn't mine... I swear! good thing too because I'd hate to face, well, you know.

Tweed Coast Treadly

I'm a believer in what you say but I change that to wind srrength and direction. Choose a route according to the predictions and take the leadout headwind only to be hit by a direction change during the ride to be able to return into the strengthening headwind!... I feel for you with the rain down there. and another thing what's 5:00am?