Raven's Roads
Living an interesting life: the travels and musings
of motorcycling author Linda R. Moore

Mar 17, 2006

What a difference some sunshine makes

For all that this is Sunny California, and that I even live in Sunnyvale, it’s not been so sunny lately. Oh, there are certainly plenty of interesting cloud formations, fog rolling over the hills, etc.–but that’s not so fun when you ride. When I set out for a ride a few days ago the report promised it would not rain, but I was soaked within half an hour, and came back to find that the forecast had changed and, in fact, there was a severe weather advisory for Half Moon Bay. Ptui.

It even snowed in Silicon Valley last week. That made front page news, I can tell ya!

I used to be accustomed to riding in the rain, what with starting to learn in January in England ten years ago. I’d gotten out of the habit, though, and yet now I seem to be back in it again. Rediscovering my rain pants has helped. It’s nice to have a waterproof layer and not worry about my body being cold. But today as I rode along in full rain gear the sun came out and shone gloriously upon my over-dressed self, making rain-dulled chrome glisten and hearts sing. What a difference to my mood and state of mind this makes. I zipped merrily and confidently between lanes as the early Friday commute started its inevitable crush, and made it home safely in a jolly good mood.