Still Riding in the Wet (May 29, 2013)

Two more days of wearing rain gear ... jacket, pants, helmet cover and booties that do the job of keeping the cold rain from drenching my usual riding clothes.  Yes, the jacket and pants keep the rain out, but they also keep the sweat in.  Most uncomfortable at times to say the least.  One positive regarding the entire rain-gear ensemble is that the cold wind is blocked ... otherwise I would be more miserable than I can imagine.

 After the hard day riding into Astoria, and with more rain on the way, I decided to make an easy day of it by riding 20 miles to Seaside ... turns out it was not so easy as the rain was continuous and the head-wind was strong all day.  With heavy rains predicted for the rest of the day and night, I quite naturally headed into a motel ... wise call on my part.  It just does not make sense to me to subject myself to unfavorable conditions when favorable (warm and dry) conditions are available.  I am a real softy, with no shame what-so-ever.

Today I rode 50 miles from Seaside to Tillamook.  While I was fortunate in that I did not ride through any substantial rain, the roads were wet and the wind was blowing.  There are two relatively long climbs getting to the Manzanita area which are a challenge.  I feel as though I am getting comfortable and my fitness level is improving.  Arrived in Tillamook just prior to the start of mostly continuous rain through the evening and night ... need I say "motel?

I had an unexpected reminder of Tucson today.  At the few tunnels along Highway 101, there are buttons cyclist can push that alerts drivers to the fact that there are cyclist in the tunnel (not that affects the speed of any of the vehicles).  On the sign explaining the button pushing procedure to the cyclist there was a "BICAS" sticker.  Two friends from Tucson (Kylie and Troy) rode this route last summer, so I suspect they are responsible for the blatant act of vandalization.  If so, I thank them as it brought a smile to my face. 

So far the ride is going well, but have only seen four or five other touring cyclists out on the road.  Of course the fact that I have not been camping means I have not met others in the hiker/biker campgrounds.  Plenty of time remaining in this ride, so imagine I will be making contact with fellow riders farther down the road.

Tomorrow's ride will be out to the Three Capes area, which is quite beautiful.  There is a real test of a few substantial climbs, so will see how I am feeling about my fitness level at the end of the day.

Weather predictions call for a stop of the rainy days ... hopefully by tomorrow afternoon and then for at least a week I will be able to enjoy some dryer and warmer riding.

One can hope.