Day 253: Riding in the Rain

I got another late start today so I wasn’t able to get out for the Saturday Morning Ride. I had hoped to make it this morning, but my varying sleep patterns have made making the early morning ride difficult at best. I love the ride, but being a single dad of an 85 lbs Labrador makes it hard to get to the Depot by 7:30 am.

After having some coffee, feeding and walking Tugboat, and of course doing dishes, I remembered that “E.B.” had told me that he was up for a ride this morning. So I emailed him about going for a ride. He responded and a plan was set. ;-) I like that something as simple as Email can get a ride together within minutes.

We met at the Depot just as the rains were starting again, and fortunately they were light. “E.B.” only had time enough to ride me up to Hoo Koo E Koo. As we rode up Railroad Grade we bumped into a couple that were riding up the hill. They were keeping up a good pace, and I noticed that when they heard us coming they increased their pace. We met and then passed them at Summit Road. As it turned out “E.B.” knew them, and they corresponded briefly before we pushed onward.

We stopped at Peter’s house so that I could make use of his really convenient water fountain. I don’t carry water when I ride my SC BLT since there are no water bottle bosses. What a mistake that was for Santa Cruz Bicycles. The stop allowed the two that we had previously passed to catch up a bit, but not completely.

We pushed on towards our parting point at Hoo Koo E Koo fire road. We stopped briefly in order to talk before going out separate ways, and while doing so the other riders were able to catch up. They passed us, and I reassured “E.B.” that I’d catch up with them soon enough, and I did.

After we parted, I headed up the hill and caught up with the other riders within a couple of corners. I really wasn’t feeling great in the saddle today, so it was unclear to me if I’d actually be able to pull them back. As I passed them I said hello again and then I just kept on going.

I reached the West Point Inn about two minutes ahead of the other riders. As they arrived I talked to them and as it turned out, they know a couple of my friends from Pegasus Bicycle Works. It’s a small world that we live in, especially within the cycling community.