First bike commute of the week. I was off Monday, and forecasters have been calling for severe thunderstorms every day until now. We did have a lot of storms but I probably could have commuted each day and avoided the worst of it, but it's not worth the stress to me. I don't have an emergency ride home anymore like I used to, because the coworker who could take me (and my bike home) retired a few months ago. So, if a thunderstorm crops up during my afternoon commute time, I have to either ride through it, wait it out at the office, or leave my bike at work and catch a ride with someone going my way. None of those options are ideal.

We are still without hot water at work due to annual maintenance on the boilers, so I've been forced to take cold showers on days that I bike to work. I've sort of gotten used to it, although it's very painful at first, but it really does cool you down and stop the sweating.