This day had to come. Rain. All day. While working, I just resigned myself to getting wet as I rode to the office. (Trust me, biking to work around DC in the rain is infinitely preferable to driving.)
No office, no ride? No way.
Still I needed motivation. A bike commuting friend posted a picture from her ride to work on Instagram. It was of the tree-lined paved path along the reflecting pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial. For all the dreariness, it made me miss playing in the rain.I could see her in my mind’s eye, plodding along with little effort, enjoying every splash. I envied her.
On when the rain gear and out I went. From inside the rain looked like it was falling hard, but once I was outside it somehow seemed less daunting, inviting even.
I took the Cross Check to see if the gears were working properly, (They were. Yay!)
Long ago, I identified routes around my neck of the suburbs that required very few left turns and no highway crossings. I took one today. The streets were virtually empty. I made my way to Fort Hunt Park which has a 1 1/4 mile circuit. I rode around and around and around paying no mind to speed or effort, just letting the rain wet my face as I listened to the sound of the water passing through my fenders. I must have done about 10 laps. If not for my odometer I’d never know.
I finished on some more suburban roads. Passing houses under construction, devoid of work crews on this soggy day.
That’s okay everyone. Stay inside. I like it out here alone.
A tip of the helmet to my friend for the photographic nudge.
A Few Spokes Shy of a Wheel 