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Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Saturation

It's thrilling, really, that first moment your defenses are breached, that first trickle of water between your shoulder blades, like a slow, icy tickle on hot skin. Then the rain pants soak through, followed by the slow saturation of wool long johns. Then the neoprene gloves become clammy; they drip water when you clench your fists. Then more water seeps in from your neck line; it creeps up your arms and your waist; your fleece hoodie absorbs it like sponge, swirling water vapor inside your plastic jacket, condensing until there are more droplets on the inside of the sleeves than the outside. When the wool leggings won't hold any more moisture, lukewarm water trickles down your vapor barrier socks to your liner socks, which are already soaked with sweat anyway. You wriggle your white wrinkled toes and breathe in the thick humidity, the vapor of warm sweat and cold air surrounding your own personal biosphere. And you pedal harder into the geyser streaming from both sides of your pathetic fenders, and you smile, because you and the rain are finally one, and you are free.

17 comments:

  1. Waxing poetic...made me feel cold and wet just reading it and I doubt that I would be smiling. I would rather be warm and dry.

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  2. That are exactly the same feelings I have during those rides. The feeling of freedom is really intense and I have a bright smile on my face.

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  3. How many times do I need to ride through the sprinklers to experience this kind of pure joy?
    I suppose I'll need to turn up the air conditioner all the way too?
    Where do you get this clothing you speak of?
    And what are fenders?

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  4. That's exactly why I live in the desert SW!

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  5. Only a cyclist would understand.

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  6. Sometimes I think I should jump in the shower with my clothes on before a rainy ride just to get past the fight and into acceptance.

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  7. I think I can smell you from here.

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  8. True poetry...I was laughing with tears in my eyes, glad I'm notthe only one. Val

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  9. zactly said,,,I've heard it said the only difference rain makes to a biker, is it just means your gonna get wet.

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  10. The article was great - the comments possibly better.

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  11. As Claire commented, only a cyclist would understand. A fantastic description, I will always bear this in mind and will pass it on.

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  12. the rain matters when you spend months in it.

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  13. good to see your pug again and look forward to more winter pics,my pugs been on the go all year so dosnt get time to seize up!!

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