Its been several years since I have bike commuted, but I decided to give it a go again. On my very first day, I got clobbered by heavy rains and HAIL. The hail lasted for almost 10 minutes and was about the size of large peas. I stopped under a tree and put on a jersey and then kept riding. The temperature felt like it dropped about 4-6C, and the bare arms did not like being pelleted. Later I checked for welts from the hail, but the arms were ok.
At many intersections, they were flooded with up to 6 inches of water. I tried to coast through the huge puddles, but had to take a few strokes with the pedals, going into the water. You had to be mindful of where the many potholes were. Since I was wet from head to foot, it did not matter where you rode. I could not see through the water and so you had to take your chances. Avoiding the manholes, some of which were bubbling up water spouts, was another hazard. Slippery mud and gravel, that had washed away from somewhere, were potential causing flat tires and wipe-out conditions, that had to be dealt with as well.
At the more quiet flooded intersections, some neighbors were out with a shovel clearing the manhole drains of debris such as grass, seed and sticks.
By the time I finally got home, the rain had stopped and I was thinking of my more poor bike. Sure glad I do not have one of those cutaway bottom brackets. I shall have to lubricate everything in the next day or so.
Ah such fun, but I did finish the week commuting anyway. Weather, you just have to accept and go with the flow.
Till next time.
