I blew off class today, as I was planning on embarking on a 40-50 mile jaunt on my Allez. So, I woke up nice and early, ate a power breakfast, downed several cups of coffee, and threw on my shorts and jersey. I then pumped my bike's tires up to spec, checked the tension on the brakes, et.al.

At last, I headed outside and took a look at the heavens. Overcast with a slight breeze from the west. Damn near perfect, but I prefer the sun to a drab cloud-filled sky. And after all of that I finally clip in and head out. Within 10 minutes the wind picked up, and it started to drizzle. 5 minutes later, it's pouring, and I'm racing back to my house.

I then spent the next 1.5 hours pedaling on my trainer, whilst watching CNN and VH1 Classics. How sad.

Maybe I'll have better luck tomorrow, but it's raining now, and supposedly it'll be raining for the rest of the week.

Anyone else get screwed by the weather like me?

Shouldn't blow off class. The other day I went out and it was overcast, started pouring and I kept riding for another hour. The rain cools me down pretty good, as long as you don't corner too fast or sharp, rain's fine.

I managed 26 miles today...outside. Sure I got a little wet but I liked it. By the way you're only the king of Clifton until I get back there

that's not right. if you really wanna ride, put on a rain jacket, get soaked, and enjoy the pain.

sd

Enjoy the rain. When I see rain coming, I get ready to ride because I want to be out in it!

I rode 60km in the rain last night. It was a tempo session and I found to my surprise that I took myself around the 30km tempo part of my route that it was my fastest time this year. I think that the feeling of being out and riding in the rain made me feel like a tough bad*ss cyclist and that feeling carried through to give me a power boost.

Make the bad conditions your friend - it's like Magnus Bäckstedt who said before Paris Roubaix this year that he would like it if the course was muddy as he loves the bad conditions and that gives him a mental advantage over the cyclists who hate the rain.

Oh, geez, thanks for making me feel better about myself. It's just that I hate getting wet, but for some reason I love taking showers. Go figure, huh? Maybe I'm just making excuses...

At least now, I know where I can improve in the "hardcore" category. I've not resorted to shaving my legs, but I'm sure that when I take my first serious spill, I'll start the depilatory proceedings.

Oh, MKRG? Whereabouts do you live?

I'm actually more likely to ride if it's raining than if it's not. And I could research statistics to prove it!

Please prove thaT!!! i would be most flattered! lol my statistics show im getting stronger, higher wattage output for longer periods. i guess it's better to track everything else but progress, i envy you.

Best race of my life was run in the rain when it was about 45 degrees. I consider those conditions just about perfect for a good workout.

Hmmm, that could take some time, I'd have to download some historical weather data from somewhere, then match it to the days I've ridden that I've logged over the last year or so. Still, it's no reason to envy someone. The secret to being able to ride in the rain is to just do it -- that is all really. If you stop and think about it before going out, you'll come up with all sorts of reasons not to go. If you just go out there and do it, you'll realise that it isn't so bad (or in our climate, that it's actually an improvement). Once you get totally soaking wet, you'll wonder why you ever allowed yourself to miss out in the past.

There is a saying, if we race in it, you train in it.

I feel your pain. It has rained 22 of 27 days here in Michigan. Unfortunately even a rain coat won't help when the it rains so bad they are using the local golf course as a new lake. The news chopper took pictures of a jet ski crusing across the golf course, now lake. The roads are about 2 feet under water in places.

Any one know how to convert a bike to a pontoon/paddle boat?

Mark

i was just being sarcastic Chris. only time i ride in the rain is if i get caught in it, here in the desert it's not often we go months with no rain.

Right now I'm in Springfield Township sort of on the line between Finneytown and Wyoming. I spend most weekends in Northside, Clifton or Downtown. I'm trying to get a job at the EPA and I want to take some classes to put toward a Masters degree. I think I'll want to live in Northside so in the morning I can ride up the hill to EPA and in the evening after work and classes I can casually roll down the hill stopping at various pubs and places of social recreation and music along the way.

Yeah, I spend most of my weekends (and money!) in Northside, in places like Shake It!, Northside Tavern and The Comet. Great neighborhood, and it's considerably nicer than Clifton. When I graduate from UC, I plan on either getting out of this town entirely, or moving into Newport. We'll see if I can make it as a 'Tucky boy.

I would think we've crossed paths before if those are the places you spend your money. Unfortunately I don't ride down there otherwise I would tell you what bikes to look for. Climbing Hamilton Avenue after beers isn't appealing to me.