I actually missed one, maybe two, “rain rides” earlier this season, because the cable-activated hydraulic brakes on our (mine and Kevin’s) rain bikes were failing to work. An actual problem for riding in the rain, and perhaps a problem in general. Brakes are supposed to work. I had a set of new, non-hydraulic brakes sitting at the shop for months, waiting to be installed, but too busy to get around to it.

Finally, a couple weeks ago, after I assumed the rainy season had ended, I get them set up on the bikes. What’s the worst that could happen, right? You got it. Rain. Despite this being one of the driest winter/springs on record, tomorrow morning will make my third consecutive Tuesday/Thursday ride in a row… in the rain.

Normally, you’d think I had caused the rain by not putting on the new brakes, not being prepared. But not this time. Worse, it hasn’t even been “real” rain. Just the light stuff that makes your bike a mess. “Real” rain is hard enough to actually wash your bike down as you ride. Drizzly stuff and you just pick up the much from the road.

At least Sunday was nice. Kevin took the day off to be with his girlfriend, while I rode with Kevin (pilot) and a couple others out to the coast. Pescadero Bakery was closed (it was Easter) but picked up a drink and snack at the gas station/taco place for fuel. I felt OK on Haskins for a change.

We’ll see how things go tomorrow, in the rain. Light, drizzly stuff. Not looking forward to it. Clearly I need an attitude adjustment. Or unexpectedly-heavy rain! 🙂

Is it really supposed to be this cold, this windy, this time of year? Lately I’ve been telling Kevin, as we’ve descended Jefferson towards the start of the ride, passing through that infamous corner where, just over three years ago, I cracked my pelvis in two places… “At least we don’t have to worry about ice anymore!”

Or do we? It was Kevin, Kevin, Karen and I riding up the hill this morning. And windy and cold! Kevin (ex-pilot) claimed it was just 35 up on Skyline, where he lives. We didn’t believe him. But sure enough it got colder as we climbed. Oh, we actually had a fugitive with us from one of the later rides, Steve L, who joined us as far as the park entrance. By that time Kevin (not pilot), Karen and I had broken away, although thing splintered right at the park. I might have been feeling sorta OK but not OK enough to keep up with Kevin (not pilot), who managed a sub-29 today. Karen was somewhere in-between. By the time I got to the wide open space it was clear there was no way I’d catch back up to Karen, but it made sense to circle around a bike and wait for the ex-pilot… for 2 and a half minutes I waited.

I’m not sure if I’m feeling good or not-so-good these days. I do know that I’m really looking forward to warmer weather, like we had just a week ago.