Perhaps some would question the worth in riding 4 hours in the driving rain when it is below 50 degrees and there is a heavy amount of grit on the road. Why bother getting the bike wet and nasty, ruining the drivetrain, seat, brake pads and clothing?
Why not? Why not make it merry with five riders of similar ilk and one whom continues to baffle all with unique fashion sense?
Such was the day today -- no Point Sharking (no Bud either, as there was a chance of drizzle) and no attacking, just a long enlightening slog through the hills to the Oley Valley for a tour. Driving along in the pack in rainy wet gritty conditions tends to be a uniquely different experience, perhaps because the trust factor is so much higher. It is dark, your vision is compromised, there are deep puddles and standing watercovering the potholes in addition to blinding salty sandy sray coming off the wheels in front of you, stinging grit in your eyes, and you have no brakes. And, as you go through the ride you have even less as your pads wear, as Joe found. It is a strange bonding experience as the nerves get frayed and you fight off the cold.
Consider then, the ridiculousness of walking into a coffee shop soaking wet with your loud and obnoxious mates. John Dude was in full effect and was content to sit inside creating deep puddles on the floor like he owns the place. Joe, fresh from his brake adjustments, proceeded to wipe black brake goo all over his nose and eyes. He ended up looking like a cross between The Crow and a Christina Aguilara on Celebrity Death Match with running mascara. It was too surreal.
It was not about busting on people though -- it was about the sustained effort thrown down as we finished up on the Derby course. Driving a rotation in the rain and pushing each other, not letting up and pinning it to the finish line in the spray an the potholes and tiptoeing around slick corners at speed with cramping tingly numb hands and stiff trapezious muscles from being stiff and cautious. That was really memorable. I wonder if we'll get Hoof and Mouth disease from all the crap we rode through?
Holy Crap, Joe, it really was like Belguim today!