I did a Vancouver to Seattle charity ride last month, and Day One varied between heavy drizzle and driving rain, for all but 5 km of the 120km we rode. I suppose the fact that the ride raised $11 million makes up for the drowned-rattishness of it all.

Things I learned: fenders are Good Things to have in the rain. Helmet cover and rain legs help you feel marginally less miserable, and day-glo yellow shoe covers at least managed to make some people smile.

From an article in the Canadian press today, it looks as though Britain is only a few milimeters away from being washed away completely this year. I suppose it cuts down on hosepipe bans.