Weather or not

Life in the Bike Lane

Tom Frady

Cyclists and sailors have a lot to say about the weather.   To them, it's not just something that's always there, it's more like a friend who can be really nice one minute and then turn on you the next. The weather is a big part of a cyclist's existence.

You don’t really “ride in the wind.” You negotiate with it.  When the wind shows up, it has ideas of its own. You lean forward, shift down, and settle into an argument with the breeze and your legs. You won’t win.  You’ll only manage.

Somewhere along the way, you stop fighting and accept the slower pace and heavier legs. The ride becomes less about distance and more about doggedness.

The wind has a dark sense of humor. It takes something away from you when you're going one way, and then it gives it back to you when you turn a corner. When you've got the wind behind you, your legs feel like they're barely working and the world is passing by at warp speed. You start thinking you suddenly got stronger.  The wind lets you keep thinking that -- for a little while.

Rain doesn't talk back, it just seeps into your unconscious, often through the collar of your jersey.   When it starts to rain, it's like a gentle warning.  Then the pastel fragrance of new rain hits and the tires start to make a soft humming sound. Now you know you're really riding in the rain.

It's funny how rain can make you pay attention to tiny details. You start to see the shiny lines on the road and notice how your hands are gripping the handlebars a bit tighter. The rain is helping you stay focused on the ride.

There's a point when you're riding in the rain and you just give up trying to stay dry. You’re not going to win that fight, either.  When you do surrender, something changes. The ride starts to feel really calm and peaceful.  There are fewer cars on the road, so all you can hear is the sound of your tires and the rain falling on your helmet.  You're not just riding through the rain - you're a part of it.

Ah, heat. It builds. It waits. You start to feel it in little things - your mouth gets dry faster, your jersey sticks to you, and the sky and earth join in a shimmering haze at what used to be the horizon.

There's no getting around the heat, you just have to deal with it   It's like the heat is in charge, and you're just along for the ride. You have to slow down and find a pace that works for you. It's not about being fast, it's about being there at the end.

You need to listen to your body and take care of yourself. Water is essential, it's what keeps you going. I have been hot enough to take a mouthful of water, spit it out in front of me and ride through it.

There's something real about a long bike ride on a hot day.  You can't fake it or take it easy. It's just you, your bike, and the open road.

Over time, you realize that each kind of weather brings its own lesson. The wind teaches humility. The rain teaches acceptance. The heat teaches respect. When you've been riding for a while, you start to realize that perfect days are few, and when they do come along, they don't stick around for long.

The thing is, you've just got to get out there and ride anyway - take the day as it comes, rather than waiting for it to be exactly what you want it to be. Cycling is more than just riding a bike for a few miles. It's about being able to handle anything that comes your way, like strong winds, rain, or long hot roads, with a steady pace. You learn to move through tough times with a little bit of style and a consistent rhythm.

Weather or not, the ride goes on.