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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"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."
this is spot on for me. I felt the same way. i used to think i couldn't ride when the weather was bad, now i look forward to it, in a sick sort of way. great article.
On Rule #9: I willingly ride through cold weather. Precipitation on the other hand does not interest me. I will only ride in the rain if fate dictates that it happens. Where rain is concerned I will only be a badass when Mother Nature forces my hand.
As a former pilot and student of weather I must say I appreciate and envy your profession. Very cool. As to the financial advisor vs. meteorologist debate with Marcus, I'd say both money and the weather rule our lives but when one goes to serious shit we're dead. I'd rather pay more attention to the one that will kill me. And I think this is the weather map Marcus is referring to.
One of the reasons I like riding in bad weather is that convection motivates me to go harder. When I slow or stop I cool down quickly so I'd just as soon lay into the pedals one more to stay warm.
Great article K.C. Thanks for the contribution.
As a current pilot (thus the handle "Anjin-san") I appreciate meteorologists on a daily basis. Riding in the rain (or snow) is one of the secret pleasures of a cyclist- get out and do it more often! Just remember it's a little rough on the bike so make sure you take care of your ride (dry, lube, etc) or it will look and perform like shit after a few rain rides. Well written!
Hmmm...who knew so many velominati are pilots? My "80" moniker comes from my glider contest number from many years ago. I sure miss my LS-1f....but not all those students that tried so hard to kill me.
-eightzero, CFIIA/G
@Eightzero
@Anjin-san
I'm not a pilot but I'm working on getting my A&P. Good stuff.
I pilot a few different bicycles, and sometimes, on the mountain bike, I fly...does that count?
this reminds me of one my rides in Mumbai monsoon. It had been raining for a day and there were no signs of it abating. I decided to roll out on my mountain bike in the torrential rain. It was a Saturday and I didn't see any cyclist during the ride only to see one at the end, flying past me in the opposite direction. We both exchanged smiles and a nod of the head. I was not happy to see another cyclist in horrendous weather as I wanted to be the only badass on the road but then I respected him too for his love of the sport. Rule #9 is serious, it gives you the existential feeling.
I used to be a parapente pilot. Does that count?
Come to think of it, the conditions and terrain that I was riding in today would have been perfect for a day of soaring.
To wit;
Ah, Summer in the Southern Hemisphere...
I think one of the hideous parts of riding in the rain is the feeling of weight and dragging water with you in your kit - nowadays however, with lycra and neoprene those days are past
Indeed, and it is maybe from my past experience of windsurfing in the snow, where you stuck your hands in the sea to fend off frostbite and regain some limited sensation (big winds = big windchill; gloves = forearm cramp/ no grip), means that that wearing neoprene and being wet, means you only notice the rain until you are wet, then you forget it is there
Stick the right gear on, don't try to stay dry, you can't
Keep the layers plentiful but snug, to stop water gathering and sagging, overshoes and a good hat under your helmo and you will be as toasty as you are on a warm day, only you are wet
Nothing better than getting looked at by passers-by who are thinking, "is he fucking mad?"
- yes and no - "mad, maybe, definitely BAD", you think to yourself
Maybe the next time it is 0C and sleeting, I'll do some hill reps in my E-Bomb 2/3mm summer wetsuit....probably overheat