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Bicycling in the Rain (Singing Too If You Want)
The Joy of Rain
I love bicycling in the rain. I have been riding in the rain instead of
just "good weather" for a number of years. All I need is the time to get on
my rain gear and go slower for safety. It really is fun! If I am caught in
the rain on my way home, it becomes an adventure dealing with nature in my
face! Maybe it's because I was discouraged from playing in puddles as a
kid. As an adult I don't have the desire to seek out puddles to play in but
on a bike, when I can't avoid them, I enjoy them. I hear the "swoosh" and sometimes watch the spray that flies from my tires and feel the
childlike joy of puddles!
Because I am an adult, I also pride myself on riding safely in the rain. I
have had a rear wheel slide out from under me even though I take corners
easy. Oil and wet is treacherous so I go slowly and pick routes that are
further from cars when possible. Going slow can be fun too; for instance,
riding along the creek. The water is higher, the air is clear and fresh and
everything feels new and different. Slowing down makes things more
noticeable and exciting.
Supplies
When riding in the rain there are a few extra items to make it more
pleasurable. I keep a very light plastic emergency poncho in my pack at all
times. I have three of them so that I can rotate them and always have a dry
one available. I like a dry backpack too so I put it under the poncho. The
rack gear goes in a plastic bag if you don't have a waterproof bag or
panniers. A large shower cap goes over the helmet vent holes (or underneath
if you want to look a little less interesting.) Lightweight rain pants are
also great. The bright yellow ones provide added visibility and heavy navy
rain pants are nice if it is really cold or I need to look a bit more
professional along the way. (When you are entering a professional
environment, it is important to allow enough time to remove rain gear.)
Combining Bike & Bus
Regardless of the weather, minimizing car use can be fun and challenging.
If riding in the rain is still a bit daunting, remember that many busses now
have bike racks and that combining bike and bus is another alternative when
the weather is wet. Whatever the weather, advance planning and a sense of
adventure make riding safer and more fun.
~ by Veronica Jacobi
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