It was overcast and felt like it was in the mid 40's so I geared up properly and headed to the
trailhead. During cool weather rides I go for maximum breathability since I tend to overheat easily
and sweat alot at any time of year. Wearing goretex or other similar stuff feels like riding in a
plastic bag. So you can imagine my joy at seeing raindrops hit the windshield on the way (thought it
wasn't going to rain until nightime). If I turned around and went back for some rain gear too mush
precious daylight would be lost, so I decided to press on and hope for a break in the weather.
The plan was to ride on some moderatly rocky and hardpacked loops close to the trail head in
case I had to bail and so as not to do any damage. The woods road that began the ride was damp
but firm as I began a gradual climb. I made a right onto a short somewhat steep trail and
warmed up nicely, pacing myself so as to keep sweating to a minimum. On the following downhill
I took it easy to make the icy cold rain in the face tolerable. At the bottom of the hill the
decision was made to bail as it was simply too cold and my shell was soaked through completely.
I finished the loop since it was more moderate although somewhat longer in distance than
backtracking. I wanted to get out of there as fast as I could as the rain had picked up and the
temperature was dropping. Despite the conditions, the colors were awesome, especially a ridge
above a tree lined lake and was glad just to have managed the half hour jaunt that it turned
out to be.
On the way back I passed a clock temperature readout at a bank that said it was 36 degrees out
so the decision to bail was a good one.
Fredzep