Olympia, like much of western Washington has been getting a lot of rain this past month, pretty heavy at times and prone to fall on weekends. This complicates my cycling plans to no end. As the weekend approaches I scan the hourly forecasts and chances of precipitation to see where any window for a bike ride may be possible. That led to the
crack-of-dawn ride a few weeks ago. Except for the pre-sunrise departure, every ride since has followed the same model: get out during a lull between storms early Saturday morning.
That's worked pretty well the past couple of weeks. I've been able to get in 20 to 25 miles each before the day's rain settled in. Yesterday I hoped would be the same but it didn't work out quite that way. A big storm was approaching as I rolled out around 7:15. Even then I felt infrequent rain drops but nothing came of them, just like the past few weeks. About the time I reached The Evergreen State College (exactly 6.66 miles from my home), the rain looked a bit more steady but it was sufficiently sporadic that I decided not to cut the ride short a few miles later at my first decision point.
That's about the time the rain picked up. Not heavy but steady. At this point I knew any additional miles would be wet. Still, the ride was pleasant enough. I passed two more places where I could have cut short but each time it seemed more fun to keep riding, even with the rain. The day was cool but not cold so I wasn't getting soaked, just enjoying the chance to be out despite the weather.
By the time I reached home I'd covered 25 miles and broken 200 for the year. I was also sufficiently wet and chilled that I very much appreciated the dry and warm of home.
We're less than two weeks from the Spring Equinox and, even though that doesn't mean an immediate change, the day is a reminder that the cycling opportunities will only get better as the year progresses.
Labels: bicycles, olympia
