Typical Maryland weather, unpredictable as always. Go from near 80 & sunny in mid October no less to a week filled of rain, wind & 45-65 degrees. So as I'm gearing up for the wet ride home I get the inevitable "you're riding your bike in the rain" question from my co-workers. "Hell yeah, there's no bad weather just bad clothing choices" I tell them as they either smile or shake their head.

So as I'm riding home I really started thinking, perhaps over thinking my rain rides. Sure, it's raining so I may get a wet face, glasses etc but other than that I'm fine everywhere else clothing wise. The streets are less crowded with traffic & traffic is slower than usual. I blissfully hit 1 small puddle after another as the rain hits the ground bouncing back up at me.

The air smells differently, cleaner in a sense as all the dust & dirt no longer foul my nose thanks to the "hideous" rain. I ride slower at first because I feel safer but now it's that I'm digesting all the nuances of rain rides that make them so unique to me. It's the same route each day but the rain makes it feel different but not in an unfamiliar way but a way that calms me & reinforces my love of cycling.

Yep, I love my rain rides.