Clouds hang heavy in the sky, plump with a rain which contemplates the opportunity to hurl itself towards the Earth below. I get the sense that we wait for each other, the Rain and I; the rain relishes the opportunity to soak my clothes and skin, seeking to corrode my resolve while I cherish the opportunity to prove to myself that it will not be shaped by such things.
As a kid, I had an illustrated book of Aesop’s Fables. This time of year, I’m often reminded of one fable in particular, that of the Wind and the Sun. As the tale goes, the two are in the midst of an argument over which is the stronger when they spot a traveller on the road below. The Sun suggests that whichever of them can cause the traveller to take off his cloak will be declared the winner. The Wind blows and blows with all its might but the traveller only pulls his cloak closer. The Sun, on the other hand, beams with all its yellow glory, and the traveller soon finds it too hot for his cloak and discards it.
Aesop’s moral was that kindness is more effective than severity, but that sounds a lot like it would require introspection to really digest. Instead, I like to think of myself as the traveller and my resolve as the cloak; the worse the weather, the closer I pull it to me and the more determined I am to hold my course. In fact, this concept extends to any hardship in life; the greater the challenge, the stronger my determination.
So there we are, the Rain and I, waiting for each other; me with my cloak and the Rain with its severity. At this time of year, when the skies have turned grey but the chill hasn’t yet arrived to keep it company, I enjoy waiting for the rain to fall before embarking on my rides. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy the questioning looks from the neighbors who descend from their homes in coats and hiding beneath their umbrellas for the journey from front door to automobile; they serve as further evidence that the public still has some distance yet to cover before understanding the Velominatus.
The rain pours down and in minutes soaks my clothes. Rain drops drip from the brim of my cycling cap; when I clench my fist, water steams from the fingers of my gloves. The roads are soaked; both the rain and traffic cast debris towards the gutters. My path crosses between the two and the grit and dirt afloat in the rain water are flung onto my machine and body.
When I return home from the ride, the evidence of my journey is carried in my clothing which is heavy with water and debris. Overshoes and knee warmers, once removed, reveal my Flemish Tan Lines via the clean skin beneath.
Perhaps Flanders is a place not defined by the borders between people, but between wool and flesh. Vive la Vie Velominatus.
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Frank - white Belgian booties though? Hmm, I reserve the white ones for cold but dry days and go black on wet, grimey days. Plus, then it gives me a reason to have two pairs of those DeFeet oversocks...
* On another note I just moved into a new house. It has a washing machine, a perk I've been living without for a few years. See ya Sunday morning Laundromat trips, hello more Sunday saddle time!!
@gaswepass
Yeah I've been lazy, and admittedly the thought of cycling in the hectic evening traffic around Airport Way in the dark freaks me out a bit. It's bad enough when it's light out - I've seen lots of fucked up shit in the car and on my bike. Maybe I'll get more lights and try it on dry days - I have nowhere to dry wet kit at my office, which is another issue.
@Mikael Liddy
One leg is closer to the camera, duh! Perspective.
@Cyclops
Yeah on/off showers are one thing, non-stop pissing rain is another. Trying my best to embrace the climate I've grown up in and HTFU.
@ czmiel
I recently rebuilt the Rain Bike as I was moving components around to make room for the CX-V. The amazing thing was that despite how carefully I maintain my rain bike, in what awful shape the BB and derailleur pulleys were in.
For a Rain Bike, its got to be a good machine that you're happy to ride, but for sure opt for cheaper parts and sealed bearings where you can; that grit that looks so cool on your legs is murder on your machine.
@czmiel
You can swap out a cheaper chain and cassette and that will help preserve the good stuff for Summer.
Which brings up another point; I destroyed a set of rims stopping on the steep Seattle roads all Fall/Winter/Spring; a beater set of wheels with good all-weather tires is a very good investment as well if you can't afford a completely new bike.
@scaler911
I will never, ever ride with fenders. The Fendagelists can go fuck themselves. I indulge in the glory of Rule 9 and anyone on my wheel can suck it. Moreover, most of my winter training is solo anyway.
@strathlubnaig
Well played, sir.
@mcsqueak
Should probably be culled from the Lexi anyway...
@Cyclops
Your bike looks like it was made for a tiny person. Your gut looks like it was made for a giant person.
BOOM!
Seriously, what's the holdup? Get on a Deacon. Immediately.
I also don't understand the photo. Its Cyclocross, but no mud. Does not compute.
Frank - just to be clear. The Fendagelists can go fuck themselves in regards to full fenders on a race bike being ridden on training rides, correct? You're okay & even dig full fenders on commuter/touring/around town bikes, right.
If not, I'll have to go and try to fuck myself. My commuter bike has some full Planet Bike fenders and they make life much better when I'm cruising around town.
@Gervais
Tres bon! Aside from the strange bidon bloat you have going on there.
@Nate
You are correct.
@Ron
Yes, we are only talking racing bikes. Commuters etc should stay as close to dry as possible. But you should try to fuck yourself anyway, its good sport.
@frank
Er...can I just point out that full fenders (mud guards to the rest of us) are very very cool when winter training! On club runs they prevent too much Belgian Toothpaste from entering the gobs of your following buddies but more importantly on the front wheel (with extenders) they protect you bottom bracket from an awful lot of crap. I am not just talking mud and shit, more importantly here in the wet and soggy UK everyone shits themselves every time the temperature goes anywhere near 0degC and the local authorities spray the world readily with Salt. That shit is V bad for the underside of you bike any very corrosive on those wonderful bits of chrome and steel we spend so much time washing and polishing.
I for one try to ride my bike in winter like my missus....bang on and with full protection. Mudguards ARE COOL!