Weekend rides - Mercer Island/South Lake wA loop

[Biciclista]

I had so much stuff to do yesterday and it was raining. The weather report sounded like it was just going to get worse, so as the sky lightened I figured it was just a hole in the clouds and that i was going to get drenched. I continued to try to get stuff done around the house, really wanting to tell my husband FORGET IT, but not having the courage.
The time came, I was supposed to leave the house at 1130 and ride north to meet my husband who was going to be coming back south from a meeting. I got out of the garage with my bike and it was raining and 40 degrees. Cold icky rain hitting my face. Cold icky rain seeping through my wool knickers. I was glad I had put the booties on. I rode slowly towards the switchbacks behind my house, worrying about slipping and sliding on the wet steep ridged pavement.
It continued to rain as I headed towards Seward Park and Leschi, on the road where I was supposed to meet my husband. i formulated a plan, I would suggest we go to Pert's deli for a hot drink and then go home, jettisoning our plan to do the 45 mile ride around both Mercer Island and then around the south end of Lake washington.

I met Donald about 1 mile south of Pert's deli.. He turned around ahead of me (so I am now behind him). The sun came out. It was still raining. He shouted with glee "Isn't it a beautiful day???" I was not impressed. I had not yet caught up with him when he turned LEFT up the hill (instead of continuing along the lake to the Deli) and I was too far back to let him know of my plan... so defeated, I committed to the ride.

Riding in rainglow is very hard on the eyes. My untinted safety glasses were all covered with rain drips which multiplied the glare. By the time we got to Mercer Island, my eyes were really hurting, so I started alternating the glasses on and off depending on whether i was going up or down hill. We circumnavigated the island, me pushing myself until i had side stitches, then I slowed down a bit.

On the east side, it started raining in earnest for a while and then the spitting kind of rain would return in fits. There are several little hills we had to climb honestly, this is the best part of the ride, no traffic, lake views and lots of birds and Bald Eagles. I did the best I could, until we finally got to The Landing in Renton where there is a little shop called "Caffee Felice" where we finally got our hot drinks. We sat there long enough to drink our drinks and hopped back on our bikes and did the last leg, a 7 mile swing northward around the lake, up Rainier Avenue and then back up Beacon Hill. This was the best part of the ride, after all that, I had a tailwind! and as tired as i was, I found myself going 15-16 mph.
I never took off my raincoat and I had two layers underneath. I was covered in a base layer of wool. Good thing. I ended up riding 44 miles yesterday and was pleased with myself when I was done.

[Velocivixen]

It sounds like a great ride even with the rain! Your distance is impressive! I'm in Oregon, so I know what you mean about looking for a break in the rain in order to get in a ride.

[Biciclista]

yeah sometimes you just have to give up and ride in the rain!

[Biciclista]

wow, no one else rode?

[emily_in_nc]

Too cold for me here -- high was only in the 30s in NC. No riding for me this weekend. Supposed to be warmer by next weekend so keeping fingers crossed. Hard to believe it was 82 just a few short days ago!

Good for you Mimi -- I am more of a wimp about rain and cold than you.

[redrhodie]

Mimi, you look so cute!

I did a my regular loop yesterday. The weather was really cold, so I had to layer up again. Nothing really interesting to report, just a good sinus clearing ride. Oh, and when I got back, my bf said "wow, that was really fast!" He probably fell asleep while I was gone, so it seemed faster than normal.

Today is a rest day, but I rode to the store. As I was waiting to cross a busy street, guy in a truck stopped in the middle of the boulevard to let me go. I know he was trying to be nice and all, but I couldn't go because of other oncoming cars, which then also stopped for me. I'd just rather wait my turn, and not have a big confusing spectacle made to let me cross the street. I think it's because I was in street clothes, and with a pannier. I also had on cute socks, so maybe it was that.

[withm]

wow, no one else rode?

Does "wanting" to ride count?

Snow here on Sunday. By the time it melted in the afternoon I was knee deep in taxes. Figured I better get that finished. Next week we should be done with this cold weather and riding can really be a more regular event.

[pfunk12]

I did the usual (N2) group ride on Saturday morning. Ended up doing 64 miles. Yesterday was an easy 29 miles. Both days were cold but not unbearably cold. I think everyone is eager for spring temperatures to arrive so we can finally put our winter gear away. I think I spend 10 minutes trying to decide what to wear when it's cold.

[7rider]

Does "wanting" to ride count?

Next week we should be done with this cold weather and riding can really be a more regular event.

Funny. I said that LAST week!