I've never really understood why people wouldn't want to ride a bicycle in the rain. I love it. Obviously there is an increased level of danger involved but for someone who is kinda a thrill-seeker, the added danger is actually a rush for me.
Last night I was invited to meet some friends at a blues bar in the city center. I was playing Final Fantasy 15, looking for redeeming qualities when I looked at the clock and saw that it was past 9pm and figured it was time to head out. I looked out the window and noticed it was raining and nearly decided to not go. I really wanted to go to this show so eventually I decided to go anyway and had a really awesome time on the way there. Did I get wet? Of course... Was it slightly more dangerous? You betcha! Did I have fun? Oh yeah! So much so that when it came time to make the return journey I was looking forward to it.
I was on my bike for about 5 minutes before I flashed back to being a little kid. Everything had an opportunity for excitement as a child and riding your bike in the rain was one of them. I feel as though I haven't "grown up" as much as other people in their 40's and I hope I never do. Especially in Thailand, riding in the rain is a great joy and here is why:
- It is really hot here, so having cool water fall on you during your ride is actually really refreshing and there is very little chance you are going to get cold and if you do... just ride harder!
- when it rains the motorbike drivers who don't really have anywhere they need to be (IE the motorbike street punks with nothing better to do other than drive like a-holes) head for cover... this always makes for a better ride
- once you embrace that you are wet, it is actually a lot of fun to have the tires throwing water all over you
Rainy season will be upon us soon and I am very much looking forward to it. Me and my bike will likely see MORE action / exercise than in the dry and hot time of year where riding any distance can actually be a bit dangerous not because of traffic or road conditions, but because of overheating my internal radiator.
Plus in the end if I really wanted to stay dry (which makes zero sense to me since unless you aren't working hard enough you are gonna get wet from your own disgusting sweat anyway) I could always get one of these absurd contraptions.
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unless you were barely riding, this wouldn't keep you dry anyway - plus you look like a maroon