Rain Rain Ride Rain

Weather report,  Saturday night, 85% chance of rain in the Los Angeles area. Should roll in around 8:00am...  Me,  "Well I'll see what it looks like in the morning. Check with a few of the LaGrange folks, see what they are thinking."

Sunday morning weather report, 75% chance of rain in the Los Angeles area, should start around 9:00am. Me, "Well thats better than last night, just a little moisture on the ground."  Chris says, "Lower the tire pressure to 95PSI, and lets ride!"  Me,  "I'm down."

Streets wet, but no sign of rain. Still, dirty street water rooster-tailing up all over me and everything else. Just spent two hours cleaning the bike yesterday, but fuck it, it's the Nichols ride. I always start my week with the Nichols ride.

Small crew, we head out around 8:00, seem to be ahead of the rain. Up Santa Monica Blvd, and across Fairfax, we get to the climb. Pretty much my best climb yet, not with the front pack, but a bit ahead of the second pack, with two riders in between me and the first pack. I can keep those two in sight, but the front pack is gone by the time I get to the top. Not sure of my time but I'm pretty happy with my effort.

I get passed by one rider around Coldwater, but still have the two riders be tween me and the front pack in sight. I then get caught by the front of the second pack, but manage to pull away on the next hill. We all get  stopped by the red light at Beverly Glen. I jump the light a bit and pull away from the second pack again. I really want to keep the small pack of three in sight as my motivation.

Oh, and somewhere between Coldwater, and Benidict, it starts to rain...... By the time I'm passed Beverly Glen, it's pouring. I cant decide which is worse, not seeing because my glasses are spotted with rain, or not seeing because the rain is stinging my unprotected eyes. I stick with the glasses. The rain makes the lines in the road as well as any manhole cover treacherous. The steel plates are really something to watch our for as they become super slick.

Down Sepulveda, 35MPH or so, my clothes soaking up as much water as a sponge. I can feel myself getting heavier by the minute. Skipped Pete's and just left the ride at Montana. Got home soaking wet, but pretty happy with the effort.

Hey it's Sunday, a great day to donate!!!!

Here's the link.
http://www.tofighthiv.org/site/TR/AIDSLIFECYCLE11/AIDSLifeCycleCenter?px=2501102&pg=personal&fr_id=1440

Heres a photo, just because!