Conversation with a coworker
 

I was chit-chatting after a meeting, and the following was the conversation:
CW: "Is it a hassle to have your wife pick you up when it rains like last night?"
Me: "I don't have her pick me up."
CW: "What do you do? How do you ride without getting wet?"
Me: "I get wet. Its okay though, I don't melt! :D"
CW: <Look of astonishment>

Sometimes the looks I get from others are a greater reward than the cycling itself. Not usually, but sometimes :D

I have a friend who speaks of the new subspecies of **** sapiens children who cannot be exposed to the elements, and so must be transported to and from school at all times. Usually they use giant 4WD vehicles, because if there happens to be a flash flood, they need to be able to keep the kids from getting wet and melting.

Seriously, I get asked that question as well. People already think I'm nuts, so it doesn't suprise them too much when I say I actually kind of enjoy riding in the rain.

On the rain subject, I don't understand why people run to their cars (or whatever else) when it's raining. No one is faster than the rain so you are going to get wet either way.
If you have somewhere nice to be and are dressed up then I understand umbrellas, but otherwise why walk around with a lightning rod?

Oh boy, I've received countless offers to drive me home when it rains. I've had my step-daughter call me up and offer to come pick me up. Over time, they've slowly come to terms with the fact that I actually enjoy the rain, that I tend to go out of my way to ride when it rains, that I've been known to leave for work early (and leave work early) just to catch the rain..... And yes, most of them think I'm nuts. I get a strange form of satisfaction and sense of accomplishment out of riding in heavy downpours. It also makes me feel like a kid again....

It is actually a proven scientific fact (that phrase sounds wrong) that a persons clothing attracts more water (ie. gets wetter) when they run in the rain as opposed to walking. And I think the Mythbusters did a piece on this too, for anyone who watches discovery channel.

I suppose living on the west coast of Florida, lightning would be on your mind. It's not nearly as frequently a problem for most other people.

Fine for you all in the warmer climes to enjoy riding in the rain and getting wet. I don't mind it so much either, in the summer. But up here, 9 months out of the year, it's also cold when it rains (when it's not snow). Above 60F or so, I'll wear just shorts and T-shirt and get wet, but below that, it's too cold. Fortunately, it's cold enough then that I can wear rain gear without getting overheated.

yes this is true, and we don't have very high buildings and such around here so there isn't much else to attract the lightning. In a place like NYC I'm sure lightning related fatalities are few and far between.
Where in FL are you located?

Cold rains here in CO too. And also rain storm usually mean some spectacular lightning, which I like to watch from afar.

If I was in a southern climate with warm rain and minimal lightning, then I would probably ride around in the rain. No Problem!

I'm sure when I pass over I-5 on the way home and I see both lanes grid locked because accidents I'll enjoy the commute home in the rain that much more :D

Stuart, on the east coast side of the canal from you. I've read that your strech of coast has the highest incident of lightning fatalitites in the world. Yikes.

Outstanding islands and waterways in your area, though.

I get a lot of comments from coworkers when it's cold out, and now that it's warming up a lot of comments about how nice it must be. I just nod. They don't realize that on a bike, 50 is nice and 80 is miserable.

This is true, I saw that episode also.

When it rains here everyone flips out and fears the end of the world. Oh and we call it a storm regardless. It's kinda cool. I ride in the rain if I have to, but I hate soggy shoes.

Rain doesn't determine whether I ride or not. My coworkers decided I was hard corps (or crazy, take your pick) when I was bike commuting with a cast on my right arm. :D

I heard Loretta Lynn at the Ohio State Fair one year say, "It's raining, but I'm not made of sugar, I'm not gonna melt." I use that one a lot.

it has to do with your speed and surface area relative to the rain. the faster you go, the more you are "running into" rain drops as opposed to having them "fall down" on you. it tends to be similar for most walking and running speeds. the big difference is all of the muddy water you kick up onto your pants and shirt if you run instead of walk. but sometimes its fun to run and dodge individual drops.

personally i enjoy riding in downpours.

Heh, that's an old one, my parents sure used that a lot on me. <whine>It's RAINING outside!</whine> Parent: Get moving, you ain't sugar, you won't melt.

I get the same treatment from my co-workers:

Them: Did you ride your bike today?
Me: I ride my bike every day.
Them: What do you do when it rains?
Me: Oh, I don't get wet. It's the same technology that makes me invisible to drivers. I think Kelly Johnson developed it at the Skunk Works in the 60s.
Them: [sound of crickets chirping]

I agree...if it's below 50 degrees, I don't like riding in the rain. I guess I just think about everything that could happen and at that temperature, you have to think about hypothermia. Overall, though, I don't mind the rain.

50 & below is no problem if you wear a rain jacket & waterproof pants. Actually I have to make sure I don't wear too much underneath or I run the risk of overheating.

Fenders help a lot too.

My coworkers seem to admire me for bicycle commuting and I don't get too many wacky looks from the people I work with. Most of them think it's pretty cool that I'm able to do it. I'm not viewed as crazy, wacko, psycho, etc. by my co-workers. My friends, on the other hand, completely don't understand my desire to use a bicycle as daily transportation.

that is so right.

My boss was writing my review yesterday. The plant manager walked into his office while I was there so my boss asked the plant manager for any input for my review. He replied in a wisper while making the "he's cracked" twirling finger motion by his head, "Anyone who willingly rides his bike to work in the snow..., Enough said!" I just smiled!

My reply to the "but it's going to rain today!" comment is; "I take it you've never had a shower!?!"

I do have fenders and acceptable raingear, but my thought is more about what might happen if I breakdown. The thought of hanging out in a cold rain does not excite me. However, I am determined to expand my range of tolerance for commutes this year.