It has been a long wet week for commuting in Chicago. Not necessarily rainy every day, but water on the ground and in the sky. Lots of mist. I kind of like riding in wet conditions; I like the sound my wheels make.

I wasn't planning on riding today, though, because my rain-gear set is not yet complete and I was promised rain, rain, rain by weather.com. Showered last night, set my alarm for half an hour later than usual, laid out work clothes, the whole routine. Then when the alarm went off and I looked out the front windows, we were having a perfectly lovely morning, sunshine and light fire-opal clouds high above, backlit by the sun. Very little rain, and chilly, but not cold.

So, I threw on my bike gear, stuffed the work clothes into my pannier, and rode to work really fast. It was a great ride; the lake was still as glass and the sky was absolutely beautiful. Looking over my shoulder, I could see the 80% chance of precipitation looming at the skyline: grim. I put on the speed because at my usual pace I'd be very, very late; I could feel the burn, but not so much it hurt. Actually made it to the bike station about the same time I usually do, showered pretty quick and made it in just before 9am - perfect. Ten minutes after I got there, the dark clouds screeched to a halt and parked themselves over downtown, where they have been pouring mist and drizzle and rain ever since.

In other news, though I had to wait about a month and a half longer than I expected to get my return label, once I shipped my lock off, Kryptonite got me my new one really, really fast. I shipped it off Monday afternoon and had my new lock in hand on Thursday. Very cool.