Rain, and then...

We have had a few days of brilliantly clear days, cold mornings giving way to cool afternoons. Many of the other local bloggers have been quick to point this out, either in words or by photos. Days such as these when you can see across an entire valley, from mountains to sea, or vice-versa, are such a pleasure simply because they do not occur all that often. Nearly everyone looks forward to getting back out into the sun, it is predictable. Almost as infrequent are the rain days that precede days like the past few clear, sunny ones. On these days it is often interesting to get out and see how people are reacting. 

What I saw, of course, were people getting on with their lives. Good to know that Claremontonians are not just fair-weather cyclists. Oh, and just a little shout out to one of my favorite local coffee stops, the Last Drop Cafe, when I dropped in on the wet morning I took the above photos, they were especially cheerful and agreed with me, that rain and all, it was indeed a good day to ride.

Riders on the Rain...

I did my best impression of a rider on the rain this afternoon - only got in a twenty mile ride, but it did rain the entire time. On top of that I was able to pick up some stocking stuffers while I was out and about, put up with a bunch of those "what, are you crazy" looks, and then had to do a little bike cleaning afterward. I like to get out in the rain at least a few times during the winter, it makes me feel like one of those hard men racing one of the Spring classics. Even in So Cal, we can ride in the rain, although I only saw two others doing so. Out on the road, getting more wet as the miles tick by, the brim of my cycling cap under my helmet soaks up the water until it can hold no more; a bead of water rolls back and forth along the brim, and then drip, and start again. Little bits of decaying leaves get plastered to my legs, and the inevitable spray of dirty water up my backside, and I don't care.

The "hardest man" I ever saw though was actually a kid, in Ireland, 1990. It was afternoon, he was probably on his way home from school, riding into a massive headwind, pouring rain. Carrying on as if it were nothing, no complaints, just necessity.

Anyway, feeling satisfied with myself for a successful morning, I popped an old vhs tape into the machine, the 1992 Tour of Flanders, won by Jacky Durand. This was a good year for the race, a lot of attacks and counter attacks, and a surprise victor - Durand was definitely not one of the favorites. One of the favored riders that day was the Dutchman Frans Maassen (full name Franciscus Albertus Antonius Johannes Maassen), who would end up 5th on the day.

That is Maassen above, wearing the Netherlands national champions jersey, which he won in 1989. Maassen had a very respectable career between 1987 and 1994 with wins at the Tour of Belgium, Wincanton Classic, the GP Eddy Merckx,  GP Fourmies, Etoile de Besseges, Amstel Gold, Ronde van Nederland, Three Days of De Panne, the Tour of Luxembourg, and a stage of the Tour de France. Beside these victories he had numerous other podium finishes including 2nd place finishes in the Tour of Flanders and Milan - San Remo. Since 2005 Maassen has been an assistant Directeur Sportif with Rabobank.

Rainy days...

It has been kind of an odd week for this time of year - showers off and on, nothing heavy, just enough to keep things from drying out completely, just enough to keep things interesting. Anyway I decided to get out and see what was happening around town. I got my coffee from the Last Drop Cafe and took up my spot to take some pics. The end result, there just were not that many people riding through the Village. The bike rack at the Depot was full, so I guess the Metro commuters were out even earlier. The library was having its annual booksale (starts today, continues tomorrow) and I picked up a couple older books (some 1950s classics for the boy) and a newer one for myself. Got a second cup of joe and staked out a second spot for pics, but still not much bikey action. Moved a third time, to the Colleges where I knew for sure I would find some bikes and riders.
Even though there was a deficit of two-wheelers in the Village, there was a lot going on. It is Village Venture this weekend, so workers were all over getting the streets spruced up and otherwise ready for the crowds. This will be the first time since moving here that we will not be able to attend. Village Venture, for those of you who don't know is a big craft fair - music, a lot of food, a lot of shopping to kick off the pre-shopping season. It draws people in from all over the region and turns the Village area into one big pedestrian mall with all the streets closed off. Hopefully the weather reports will prove correct and tomorrow will be a bit more sunny. Enjoy the weekend.

a nice collection of raindrops

ok, this is the kind of day it was. the first time this woman rode by i did not have my camera ready. the second time this was the result. i guess you can telll someone is riding by

estudiantes

bicicleta del estudiante

single speeder

third time she rode by, i caught her in focus, but she is kind of lost in all that green

i like the rainy day saddle protector,

and how it is color coordinated with the grips

yes, it is a rose

finally, on the fourth attempt, and fourth different location, i got it just right.

In a story only related by proximity, Claremont McKenna College (CMC) sophmore Ariel Katz weighs in on the helmet issue in an opinion to the CMC Forum.

Another...

wet morning commute but, this time with gears.

People seem to disappear on nice soft days like this. Only saw two other riders, during the whole ten mile ride.

Rain gets in my eyes, err, on my glasses...

Even here in sunny SoCal we get rain from time to time (and we seem to be into our weeend pattern lately). As one who wears glasses and finds himself out in the rain occasionally, I have had to deal with obscured vision. My response to the falling wet stuff has always be to pull my trusty cycling cap lower. That takes care of most of the drops, but has little effect against road spray. So, it was with interest that I read through this post from BikePortland.org; might as well go to the experts for advice, and who is more knowledgeable about riding in the rain than our two-wheeled brethren up north.