The Bike Before a Rule #9 Ride
This week Velominati is publishing a selection of guest contributions.
It shouldn’t be fun but it is, until it’s not. I’m talking Rule #9 here and @King Clydesdale brings us a perfect example of why a Rule should be a Rule and why the proof is in the riding.
Yours in Cycling,
Gianni
—
Sometimes being a meteorologist is a tough job. This week has been no exception. Hurricane Irene has done plenty of damage to the East Coast of the US, overloading my overnight weekend shift with plenty of work. Phones were off the hook, forms had to be sent, tracks had to be adjusted, and on and on. It was stressful to say the least. I could bitch about work, but I’m sure you all don’t give a shit. Before I move on, let me say this: The next time you watch a meteorologist and think, “That fucking idiot gets paid to be wrong half the time,” I guarantee you my forecast error is less than the broker dealing with your 401K. And you didn’t give me your money.
Anyway, I was inspired last night by some news coverage of some lucky bastards, most likely wasted, playing street hockey and using the rain-filled streets of NYC as slip and slides. It looked like a hell of a good time. I thought to myself, “that’s badass.” And in a moment of divine clarity, Rule #9 came into my head. I asked myself when was the last time I did anything rebellious, ill-advised, or deviant? I knew what to do. I went home, checked more weather stuff (I never really stop working), changed, and went for a ride.
I have never been for a ride in steady rain before. It hasn’t rained a lot since I’ve started cycling again this summer and I’ve chosen to stay indoors in the past on days like today. And despite all the recent appreciation I’ve gained for the sport and the love of all things cycling, the main reason I have been riding is to lose weight and get in shape, not punish myself. And here in Central Pennsylvania, the threat of getting wet usually comes in the form of thunderstorms. While riding through a thunderstorm may be really badass, I would prefer not to have the ironic death of “meteorologist killed by lightning” if I can avoid it. But there was no lightning with this rain shield from Irene, so I left the apartment for a new experience.
It was magic. I felt more like a real cyclist then I have in a while. The rain was pelting my face. My shoes weighed a ton. The wind gusts fought me as if the wind was trying to punch me. I loved it. At first it was like a rush, I felt like a “hardman.” The Sunday church traffic looked at me like I was crazy. I didn’t see a single cyclist other than myself. I was soaking wet, and for once it wasn’t all sweat. I understood Rule #9. The only way to experience that Rule is to live it.
Slowly however, my ride turned into more of a zen experience. Climbing out of the saddle to attack a roller felt natural. My stroke felt more magnificent. Keeping a pace below the red zone just felt more automatic. I didn’t have to think about anything. And yet at the same time I was focused. It was beautiful. It was natural. It was perfect. That is how pro cyclists must feel when they are in the zone.
I know I break plenty of rules. Being fresh out of college, with plenty of bills, and a starting salary much less then anyone who learned the amount of shit I learned in school should be paid, I just can’t afford to abide by some. Others require breaking old habits. Some rules are just like food you used to dislike. One day you try it, and you realize you might have liked it for a while now, but you have been too stubborn to try it again. For me, Rule #9 was one of those last instances. I didn’t know what I was missing.
But from now on, I will never be afraid to roll out in the rain. It would be an opportunity lost to appreciate the beautiful art that is my sport.
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View Comments
I don't mind the odd wet ride. I usually check the radar before going out but that's primarily to check I've got appropriate kit. The V gillet has been extremely useful so far, this Sydney summer being unusually wet. What I do mind is the additional bike cleaning / servicing. There's only so many bike cleaning sessions that can be regarded as therapeutic, meditational catharsis. Otherwise its a chore for me. I'll happily rewrap the bars or clean the drive train but an all over wash and lube soon feels like work.
Agreed - wet is fine but cold is hideous. And my descending sux as soon as the road gets slick.
Me and Dr Grog rode the 3 Peaks this year. We got soaked in the first 30k. I remember the first drips reaching inside the shoes and thinking "this is going to be a looong day". We got soaked again at about 210k but the wind was kind. Thank Merckx.
Kudos! I've had some great rides in the rain.
@mouse
Flat bottom cu all streeting up. But hey...my bike never needs a towplane.
@harminator
Radar: Radios Around Dummies Aren't Reliable.
@frank
A-MERCKX! Rockin' the leg warmers!
I will now go back to the couch with great shame...
@otoman
I have 24 websites bookmarked at home in my forecasting folder. While I will use my companies website in a pinch, I prefer to do my own forecasts.
@Steampunk
To be honest, the biggest turnoff for a bike ride (besides the lethal kinds), is humidity. Dry heat is beautiful, just drink plenty of water and let the wind do the cooling. But the sticky heat is the worst for me.
I also make sure to check out the pressure gradient and due a look at the wind for the day. I attempt to plan ahead to where I finish my ride on a tailwind sometimes, if I'm giving it that much thought.
But as always I will continue to make forecasts for all the cogals with as many details as possible. It's my little professional contribution.
@King Clydesdale
Interesting. I've only learned to pay attention to the wind (and that >30kph really sucks as a headwind). Never thought too much about humidity as I've never fully understood the numbers (or related them to the conditions, which genuinely suck). I presume topography must play some role, too. I live in a valley, so noting the winds and humidity levels makes a difference as to whether I want to stay low or get up on the flats. All interesting stuff. My professional alter-ego is an historian, and I've been playing around with a history of technology project that examines the history of the future and past predictions"”how they were made and how the future was imagined. Weather forecasting plays a role in all that (though I haven't done any work on it yet).
@Steampunk
Anytime you want some information on the history of forecasting let me know and I'll fill you in on all that I know.
I'm sure if you asked every cyclist here there perfect riding conditions, I'm sure you'd get a wide range of answers. For me, around 12-13 C is a sweet spot.
Weather has of course played an important role in professional cycling. An interesting tidbit about the record hour is that many attempts at the record took place in Mexico City due to the thinner air. For some light scientific reading about the hour record and altitude, enjoy: http://www.wolfgang-menn.de/altitude.htm
@Anjin-san
No, they're both motor-pacing the vehicles behind
Hi All,
Just new to The Rules, your best bet for some accurate met forecast information is to use the airfield forecast and actual data for a selection of the nearest airfields to your location and location of your ride. You can get apps for a variety of smart devices such as 'aeroweather' or can just search for your local airfields info, ie. 'XXXXXXX taf'
The TAF is the short term forecast and is usually very accurate especially with regards to the wind direction and velocity, the METAR is the current measured weather at the airfield location and will have a time field indicating when the data was collected.
The Flight Sergeant