Wew. Got a bit wet today.
All started fine enough. It was a toss up between a Zwift ride – probably an FTP Builder “recovery” spin – or a trip outdoors. It had been raining all day, and I knew the ground would be wet. But it hadn’t rained for an hour or so, and I figured I could probably nip out and back in the gap before the next shower / downpour.
Whilst it wasn’t raining, it was definitely windy. Fortunately my Rapha long sleeve jersey delivery had arrived (pictures to follow, reasoning below), and I was quite keen to try one of them out. I’d opted for the brevet jersey, so wondered how it would cope. The jersey is billed as being warm, where extra insulation is required on longer rides.
I have to say, the jersey did feel warm. Even from the off, when I was at my coolest, the long sleeves helped keep off the chill and on the body I felt warm, as though I were wearing a thin gilet.
The route today was a bit stop start to begin with. Feeling cold when stationary at traffic lights, I changed my approach and thought of a route that would take me on some longer roads, mainly out towards Longridge, with the idea to do a looping circuit.
Being wet on the road, I was constantly dodging puddles and what not. But even so, it was pleasant enough, barring some bad traffic due to road works. All went well enough until I started my turn for home.
Initially it started spitting. I felt a few large blobs on my jersey, wondered how it would cope, rued not bringing a jacket, and urged myself to speed up. Thankfully the route home was largely down hill.
Where the rain had hit my jersey, I found it soaked through but wasn’t too bad. This was because the shower was brief and I barely got wet.
Another little interlude hit me on my way back – maybe with 4km or so to go. I was feeling confident I’d make it back home relatively unscathed.
Mother Nature had other ideas.
Less than a kilometre from home, I got hit with the red lights of rush hour traffic. Stood still, the heavens opened.
Within seconds I was absolutely drenched.
I don’t know if it was the resulting spray from that little blip, or from the ride in general, but when I got back I was utterly filthy. My new jersey had to go straight in the wash (hence, no pictures)…
Anyway, no regrets. I needed the fresh air. Or as close to fresh as petrol fumed roads get these days.
Tomorrow will likely be an indoor session, unless by some miracle it’s entirely sunny. I may opt for the Zwift Academy workout, just to get it over and done with. Who knows.
