Bob and Cheryl do Door County WI
#21
By the time we got to Algoma I knew we were going to get wet. But when? It looked like it could start anytime. You've all been there - do I pull over and get on the rain gear or do I ride some more. We rode some more.
Hwy 42 runs along the lake here and there, affording us some pretty views despite the weather, which still was holding out for the most part.
By the time we reached Two Rivers it started to rain a bit. Nothing too bad, but a sign of things to come. At Manitowoc we decided to just hop on the Interstate and get the ride done with. Again, I wondered if I should pull over so we could get more appropriate rain gear on. And of course, I just kept pushing as is.
We made it as far as Sheboygan before the really heavy rain fell. It came in waves. Sometimes the road would be wet, but no rain falling on us indicating a cloud burst traveled through just before us. Other times we could see a wall of rain coming up. I would say something to the effect of "Here we go" and into the wet we would go. Guess we should have pulled over for that rain gear.
In the distance I could see a pair of bikes ahead of us. I like to make good time and I was surprised that we hadn't caught up. For miles they stayed a good half mile in front of us. The waves of rain came and went. We were too close now to even bother pulling over and really, we weren't all that wet. The tall windshield, batwing, and lowers really helped push the rain over and around us.
Finally, around Port Washington we caught up to the pair. I'm guessing it was a father and son team. The rain was coming down with greater regularity and the son, following, had no windshield. He looked pretty wet and not super happy. I'm guessing they slowed down so he could see. He had no rain gear on, no helmet, only a pair of aviators, which I knew funneled all that wind and rain right into his eyeballs. Looking cool is great - unless it's raining. Then you just look cold. The Dad was on a trike with a batwing so he was sitting pretty. Of note, the Dad had a wheel chair strapped to the back. Inspiring. I don't usually let the aches and pains of this abused 50 year old body stop me from riding, but it doesn't mean I don't complain about it. This dude is out riding the rain with a wheel chair strapped on. I'll keep that in mind next time I want to complain.
Thirty minutes later we pulled into the mostly dry driveway. The solid rains had yet to arrive so I guess overall we timed it pretty well because it was just starting to look really bad out. The jeans were a little damp, but nothing a nice hot shower and a warm fire couldn't cure. We celebrated our trip with a nice Irish coffee and watched the heavy rains move in from the comfort of two leather chairs in front of the fireplace. Sometimes it's nice to be indoors.
Cheers
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mike in dallas
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02-15-2015 08:05 PM