MarcusT

So, today is Friday. I was supposed to be half way through my 10 day tour that I had planned months ago. Had to choose this week because of work, but was ready and willing none the less.
Then as depart day got closer I started watching the weather forecast and it was not too bad. As d-day got closer, the forecast got worse and worse, until the day before depart, it was calling for storms everyday for the next 5 days. Decided to hold off to see any improvements.
The forecast was correct, it has rained like nobody's business.
Still cloudy and rain, but need to get something done.
The question is; how to deal with this disappointment and not to take it out on somebody, something, somewhere, somehow?

I guess that is the way it rolls when you love an outdoor sport.

phile

get some rain gear and just go?

this could be coming cause of living in a very rainy country, everyone here is used to just pulling over putting on rain gear and continuing

jamawani 

I have the power to bring rain wherever I tour.
I am going to change careers to "rainmaker".
Sorry to hear.

indyfabz

Are you really thinking about taking out your disappointment on somebody/thing? If so, I would seek counseling. Seriously.

phile

tour northern belgium asap, it's dangerously dry and spring has barely begun.

Leebo

I call it" free clothes washing while pedaling" time. Had some " tropical downpours" last summer on my XC VT trip. 1/2 of my 5 days or so. Warm rain is nice, embrace the challenge. Angry? I suggest another sport. Really. No bugs/dust or sunburn, start there. Try thunderstorm rain on a hot, fresh mowed field, the smell is amazing. Same for a pine forest on a country backroad. I was pedaling on the Presidential rail trail in the white Mts of NH. Really hard rain cloud, full sun, 80F all at the same time. The best views and miles of my trip. Low on water I just tipped my head up for some aqua sky as I call it. It is safe to drink, you can collect it off your tarp for your water bottles. Try scrabble instead of being angry.

seedsbelize 

My tour begins this coming Thursday. Our low this morning was higher than the predicted high in northern Ohio. If rain were to be in the mix, it might be miserable. I am very happy I sprung for that wool sweater. And that I got talked into getting rain gear

alan s 

Plan B? Hop on a train to somewhere else?

jamawani 

Tot ziens!

pdlamb

I've wondered if farmers or ranchers would pay me to bike tour through their county for the rain I bring.
Probably wouldn't work this spring, though.

robow

Obviously poor planning on your part. Ha

But seriously, these are the tours that you'll most remember and will make for good stories in the future.

MarcusT

That's why I come here. Counselling only makes suggestions. People here tell you what you need to do. Seriously

indyfabz

Sending me all your money is the only way you will get over this tragedy. Doo eeet. Now. Seriously.

J.Higgins 

A rainy day is like riding uphill. When you finally reach the summit and go downhill, holds the same joy as a ray of sunshine after a long rainy period. Don't be angry with things beyond your control and just ride. Life happens whether you like it or not, so its better to enjoy every day that God gives you.

Tourist in MSN

Look at the bright side, you probably would not have enjoyed the weather if you went on your trip. So, you probably made the right decision.

Do you still have time to do a three or four day trip close to home? Or is the weather still forecast to be bad?

Forecast for my home is about 8 inches of snow tomorrow, some of that will melt upon landing but not all of it. Wind forecast at 15 mph, gusting to 30 mph. I am glad I am not out on a camping trip right now.


The day of the photo was not an enjoyable day. But fortunately, it quit raining long enough for me to get my tent up at the campground.

Doug64

You can't get mad at the weather. There are sites where you can check out historical weather patterns, and estimate the probability encountering rain and headwinds. It also helps to be flexible and have a backup plan. My wife and I experienced 35 days of rain on a 3-month tour.

As an Oregonian, I found out that if you didn't do something because it was raining, you wouldn't do anything outside for a major part of the year.

There are times on most bike tours when you just have to stop for a cold beer (or a hot cup of coffee), reevaluate, adapt, and make the best of the situation

mtnbud

I think you made the right decision. Riding in constant rain is not fun. If you belong to a gym, I'd take advantage of your membership. If not consider joining a gym. Spend a couple hours there each day and find some other fun things to do with your time off

Lemond1985

The rain in Oregon is quite civilized most of the year. I loved riding in it, for the most part. It was often like riding through a cloud. Get a decent rain jacket and you're all set.

By contrast, in California, it seems like when it does rain, the rain drops are bigger and colder, and it's often accompanied by a lot of wind and unstable weather.

stardognine

To quote a Led Zeppelin song, upon us all a little rain must fall. So stay in & crank some Zeppelin. 😎

GeorgeBaby

Half my tour journals contain the phrase "Why is it raining? Because George is on tour!!".

DropBarFan

I can sympathize, last year the eastern US set records for rainfall. I'm not usually esp adverse to riding in the rain but with just one short trail tour planned, I wanted to ride my new gravel bike--the stock tires are fat knobbies that are comfy on trails--if I put fenders on I'd have to buy new narrower tires. I kept figuring a dry week would come but no luck. Eventually I got so sick of seeing rain I didn't even want to think about touring anyway.

Biking aside, the constant drenching rains were pretty depressing. Frequent flooded basement, back yard a muddy mess...& that's nothing compared to folks in the region who lost houses & businesses.

TimothyH

I'm not trying to condescend and am sure this was just a little bit of drama.

On the odd chance that it isn't, someone who takes frustration about the weather out on other people has bigger problems than just the weather and probably should consider seeing someone professionally.



-Tim-

jamawani 

Oh, let's be real.

When I am soaking wet, drenched like a wet dog - and finally make it to a c-store -
And somebody says, "Little bit wet out today, eh?" -
It is a miracle that I am not up on murder-1 charges.

botty kayer

As someone who lives in the UK, riding in 'bad' weather in ingrained in our DNA because if we didn't do it, we wouldn't ride much. Its all about the attitude. The chances of the weather gods aligning with our time off is slim, our weathermen are apologetic that the weekend weather is crap, after its been lovely all week while we've been at work. Its Sods law.

So you need to have a complete alternative activity planned, ....or sod it, laugh in the face of weather. See it as a challenge, I remember an old Billy Connolly sketch where he says something along the lines of 'there is no such thing as good weather, or bad weather, its all just weather, you just need the right clothes'. If you can tour for a week in the rain and keep dry, you're a top notch cycle-tourist. Hone your skills at packing and keeping stuff dry, embrace the challenge of avoiding that cold water drip that gets in an runs right down your spine.

Think of the positives...the bike is getting a good clean, at least you won't get sun burnt, you're not likely to run out of water . The 'bad' weather will definitely put some people off, you could have one of those magical rides or moments where you realise you have a whole mountain, park, riverside, whatever, all to yourself. I took shelter and cowered under a tree once for a few mins and waited for a particularly bad rain storm to pass, leaned bike against tree, and turned around and sat down and looked over, and about 3 trees away from me I saw a fox doing exactly the same thing. We made eye contact and shared a cross-species 'ewww this sucks doesn't it, good move mate, lets let this one pass over for a minute'. And we both sat there in silence until it did. Those are special moments.

And even if you get a bit wet, big deal, as long as you're not in danger of getting hyper-thermia. I find when I'm fully wet and can't get any wetter, its kind of liberating, you don't go round the puddles, you barrel straight through them, grinning like a fool and making big rooster tails from your back wheel, and all of a sudden I'm 8 years old again. And as a wide old Sensei somewhere probably said, 'one can only truly appreciate warm dry socks after having cold wet ones'

At least you're off work, and you'll be back there soon enough, so get out there and have an adventure!

Alternatively do what most Brits do, save up and go to another country on holiday, as our weather can't be trusted

MarcusT

I think people take things too seriously these days. Even for a light hearted rant on an anonymous forum, probably due to certain cultures where you never know who might open up
Seeing the number of comments you've posted I am sure your advice is appreciated