On Getting Wet

This past Friday a rain storm moved into the Denver area perfectly timed to synchronize with my commute home.  In Colorado rain storms are usually intense and short and involve rain, wind, hail and maybe a little snow mixed in.  This one looked like it actually was going to stick around for awhile.   Not having gotten around to buying official biking rain gear I was wet riding from our office to Union Station a whole 2 blocks away.  A fellow bike commuter looked at my classic Raleigh Touring 14 and said, "you need fenders." I had the original fenders at one time but in a fit of weight reduction I took them off and promptly lost them.  I was doomed. As the bus moved away from Union Station the rain really started coming down.  By time we got to the Park and Ride where I get off I was resolved to a soggy 6.7 mile ride.  It's amazing just how fast you can get wet at speed.  It's also amazing how efficient a bike is at throwing water all over you.  The physics is beautiful.  My two favorites are the rooster tails of rain spray sent up by the tires.  With no fenders the front tire spray hits the front tube and perfectly deflects the water to soak your feet.  The back wheel is positioned to send an invigorating cool spray of rain water along your back and upper butt.  Amazingly because of my riding position on the drop handlebars my chest did not get all that wet and cold and a knit cap under my helmet kept my head warm.  The ride was wonderful.  The road sounds, the spray and the smell of the land, the fact that I was generating my own heat made it all a real trip.  It was great.  I guess I was just beyond my normal comfort zone and that made all the difference.