It’s been 10 whole days since I updated here, and I don’t think we’ve had a sunny day in that whole time. 

I have, however, completely disassembled my biking shoes every day to dry in front of the fireplace before I put them on for the next commute. Sometimes that isn’t enough and I have damp shoes even 24 hours later.

In the same vein, I don’t think there’s been a day my booties and jacket weren’t hanging up by the fireplace, too, and my totally filthy pannier-covers there along with them. That’s not to mention the sorry, rusty mess formerly known as my drivetrain, which no amount of TLC can prevent from oxidation at this point.

Fortunately, I just got a pair of work-acceptable pants that are semi-water-resistant. I didn’t intend to wear them every day, but I have been doing so, and they have saved my booty, literally.

On Saturday, our die-hard group of cyclists (me, Dad, John Jester, and Michael Cohen) met up and and we all slogged away together for a while. Dad had a nice 70-mile route planned; we rode about 35 and threw in the towel. Or, rather, went home to towel off. It was so wet, I don’t have words to describe it. 

The nice theory of “I don’t mind being wet as long as I’m warm” proved to be simply false, at least for me after a while. Then again, by the end I couldn’t feel my toes and fingers, and I was having a hard time steering and balancing, so probably I wasn’t as warm as I could have been. I need a raincoat that doesn’t leak and something for my feet.

This winter has felt pretty much relentless.

I’m still struggling to get back to my fitness level from before my bout with pneumonia in December. It feels like I should be back to where I was by now, but I’m still not able to ride the same pace as before and my biking buddies are all still dropping me on the hills. I’ve been working hard, but no matter what I do, I can’t catch up. My legs never feel rested; every ride, it feels like I’m starting 50 miles in already. I’ve tried taking days off, without any noticeable impact.

Overall, biking has felt pretty discouraging lately. A few fast, dry days would sure help… But based on the current forecast, that’s not likely to happen in the foreseeable future.

Ian did help me have some perspective, though. This morning, I opened the blinds and it was pitch black and I could see rain sheeting down in the light of the street lamp. I let out a heartfelt groan of misery, and Ian asked, “Is it snowing?” Which immediately brightened my (100% chance of >1″ of rain) day. No, it is not snowing, so thank goodness for small mercies.

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