You know that feeling when you have to ride in the pouring rain after months of incredibly sunny weather? IT FEELS SO ICKY. And it’s because you are totally unprepared when the misery hits you like a ton of bricks after you realized that you’ve been spoiled by the sun for too long.
It’s cold, it’s windy, water is in your eyes, your socks are soaked even while wearing heavy-duty “waterproof” booties and you are anxious about your skinny tires on the slippery pavement. But you get to your destination feeling like a million dollar bad ass because you did NOT succumb to the weather.
Or maybe that is just me because I have a tendency to not think too much and “just do it”. AKA not dressing properly for the rain. Over-thinking is a serious issue that holds you back from doing what you really want to do… but in my not doing so that time, it obviously backfired on me. I never learn and I don’t want to learn! Wah, leave me alone.
The next day when you eagerly get up for your second ride in the rain, it will be much better even if it’s pouring twice as hard. Trust me. You just needed to settle in mentally. Get your butt out on your bike even in the rain.
Stop being a fair-weather rider!!
We are supposed to have a very wet winter this year, no thanks to El Nino, and this makes me really want to hit myself for selling my rain bike. I use to hate riding in the rain because I have to clean it after, but I very recently realized what a blessing that is. Not only is it miserably peaceful riding in the rain, but I obsessively clean my bike after every single one of these soggy sessions so that everything looks sparkling and new!
During the summer, my bike is usually covered with dirt and in desperate need of new lube because I tend to ride my chains until they are bone dry. I usually can’t be bothered because all that riding makes me lazy (when I’m off the bike) so I’m constantly wearing out my chains and cassettes and neglecting any type of regular maintenance, but bike shops, rejoice! They must enjoy making a killing from me.
I buy almost everything online; clothing, hair spray, false eyelashes, toothpaste, some groceries… and I only buy cycling clothing online because I am extremely picky about styles. I always buy parts and other trinkets retail because I think it is very important to support your local bike shops.
Besides, while you are waiting for your bike to be serviced, you can always pop by a yummy cafe near by because us cyclists needs fuel since we run ride on calories! Cakes, cookies, creme brulee. No guilt. Whatsoever. Sorry NOT sorry!
Okay I admit it… the guilt-free food is the number one reason why I love cycling…
