Rain Rain Go AWAY!

[Susan126]

What is up with our weather lately? It's Friday, May 27th and it's pouring outside my kitchen window! My grass looks great though! Very dark green and thick and lush. No wonder I'm vitamin D deficient and on prescription vitamin D (once a week I have to take a 50,000 capsule of vitamin D). Maybe I'll see Mr. Sun on the east side when we drive over to see our son in Spokane.

On the bright side my hubby bought me a new bike. I hate riding my Specialized Compact Ruby Expert (all carbon frame sweet components like roval wheel set, all ultegra parts) in wet or nasty weather so my training on such days is nil. So Joe bought me a Cannondale Synapse Feminine Alloy 5 Compact. She's beautiful too. She is going to be my winter/wet weather bike. She comes with shimano 105 shifters and cranks but for winter/wet weather riding that will do. Joe said he will upgrade the components as they wear out. So eventually I know she will get a nice upgrade.

This is my Specialized (warm weather summer time bike):



and this is my new Canondale Synapse:



We ordered her last weekend from REI in Seattle (they were out of my size frame) and we picked her up last night. I wanted to take her out for a test ride today but POURING rain is a bit too much for me. So hopefully Monday afternoon when we return from Spokane.

When the weather gets a bit nicer I will take pictures of them both. These pictures I grabbed off the vendor sites.

[Biciclista]

congrats on the new bike. We got new bikes too, but ours have fenders. Why are you buying a fenderless bike for rain riding?

You stole my song. Yes, we're tired of the rain too! (Doesn't that sound funny coming from Seattle?)

[bmccasland]

Yeah, and I think I'm mad for considering moving up there. I interview via phone next friday. It's hot, muggy, and SUNNY down here in the Big Easy.

hi-jack over

Sweet ride Susan126! Maybe the weather will clear and you can take her for a proper intro spin?

[malaholic]

Congrats on the new ride, they are both beauties! You probably won't be able to fit fenders as-is on the cannondale but a shop (or you, if you are a bit handier than I am) can cut a regular pair of fenders and use bridging brackets to get coverage on either side of the brake. That is what I did with my Ruby last year to turn her into a rain bike (I have the Ruby Comp which is lower quality than yours in both frame & components so I don't feel too bad about riding her in the rain.) I was able to take them off by myself and I think I'll be able to put them back on too now that I've seen how it is set up.

I have a confession to make though - I think this crappy weather is all my fault. Irony tends to follow me... I recently bought my "sunny weather only" dream bike, and we've only had rainy weather since then. I've only been able to put 60 miles on her since getting her built which is driving me CRAZY.

I had been struggling to come up with a name/title for the new bike, until yesterday DH suggested that I call her "The Rainmaker". I think that fits perfectly.

[Susan126]

Hey Biciclista I do have fenders for her. Joe bought some that he can easily put onto my bike. I just loved the colors, the feel, and handling of the bike! And I love the light aluminum 6061 frame. So thin and light. Not like the older aluminum bikes I remember. Like my old Trek 2200 with 7005 aluminum frame. My new Cannondale is light. Not as light as my Specialized carbon Ruby but pretty close. And congratulations on your new bikes Biciclista. What kind of bikes did you get?

Bmccasland . . . hot, muggy, and SUNNY! Are you sure you want to give that up to move here? Our falls, winter, and springs can (and usually are) very wet. We have had some freaky nice springs but usually it's wet. Our nice weather begins on July 5th! Right Biciclista? Last year's RAMROD, held on the last Thursday in July, was HOT! Reaching into the 100s. And our nice weather usually lasts through September, sometimes October. But once November arrives the gray blanket arrives and stays until July.

So if you still want to move here, try and make it at least during the summer months so you can enjoy our "perfect" summer weather. Brief but wow so wonderful.

Malaholic . . . so you're the one to blame for this rainy weather?!!! lol . . . so what kind of bike is the rainmaker?

[XMcShiftersonX]

I'm with you Susan! Beautiful bike btw... but I am frustrated with this weather, as you already know. Buying a rain only bike would not get me out in it though, so I commend you for being so willing I'm sure the east side of Washington won't be raining though, they're lucky over there in that regard.

[lauraelmore1033]

Your rain bike is nicer than my sunday best bike!

[Biciclista]

they are Dahon folding bikes I'll post photos tomorrow after we get them home.
Enjoy your bikes, I'm glad you already have fenders

[colby]

I'm with you Susan! Beautiful bike btw... but I am frustrated with this weather, as you already know. Buying a rain only bike would not get me out in it though, so I commend you for being so willing I'm sure the east side of Washington won't be raining though, they're lucky over there in that regard.

It's been raining over here pretty much all week, too and supposed to rain most of the weekend. It's mostly been showers intermixed with sprinkles and bouts of hard rain, but definitely no clear skies to speak of for a bit now (and even then there were threatening clouds). It's been a "squeeze in a mostly dry ride here or there once or twice" kind of week. In fact most of the month has been like that, spot days of sun here and there, one hot weekend, otherwise threatening clouds and/or rain, 30-100% chance of precipitation. That said, we probably do have it a little better than you.

Aside from the fact that I'll have to consider sprinklers and lawn care, I'm all for spring turning a little more into summer.

[NbyNW]

bmccasland, don't let them scare you. The PNW is paradise! I would move back there in a second.

It's been a wacky year for weather all over the place. And yes, these late spring rains are strange, but if you move you'll probably go through a period of adjustment adapting to a different climate and different seasons anyway.

I hope you all get some good riding days in soon! I'm doing southern Vancouver Island this weekend, rain or shine, and I am woefully out of shape!

[bmccasland]

... Are you sure you want to give that up to move here? Our falls, winter, and springs can (and usually are) very wet. We have had some freaky nice springs but usually it's wet. Our nice weather begins on July 5th!

But you don't have hurricanes. I want out of the "blow zone". Then there are some professional reasons, that are best discussed over a glass of wine.

[salsabike]

Beth, I too think it's paradise here! You can ride and run all year round. We don't have temperature extremes. I love it.

[MM_QFC!]

But you don't have hurricanes. I want out of the "blow zone". Then there are some professional reasons, that are best discussed over a glass of wine.

another VERY happy transplant to the Pacific Northwest here, and I'd be delighted to welcome with a glass of wine, Beth!

[Stellar1]

I too, love the NW. When I travel and fly back home over the Sound I'm always excited to see home.

Now about the rain: I rode out to the Black Diamond Bakery yesterday (Sunday) dodging rain showers. Really it wasn't bad, lots of mist, but no real rain. That's why gortex was invented.

My hubby just had his Orbea Onix re-geared and is chomping at the bit to get in a hill ride. His riding career started when he lived in Hawaii so I have a hard time getting him out in below 65 degree weather.

See you on the road.

Stellar 1 (Rodriguez Stellar, coming up on six years old.)

[forestbiker]

This is one of the worst Memorial Day weekends ever!