It must be an addiction...

Stop! I did it again! I got wrangled into riding in the rain again! Why do I do that? It must be an addiction.  Stupididty.

It happened again. An email came out pointing to http/www.wunderground.com.  They remarked about how it wasn't raining and it looked okay.  Another said that they would be there.  And another.  I didn't respond knowing that I would be part of the problem if I did and it rained.   I walked outside and low and behold, I saw raindrops on the sidewalk.   I walked around looking for additional drops, however nothing really showed up.  So I got out my bike and started to ride to the daily spot.  Right after I mounted the bike, I felt moisture.  Was it a raindrop? or not? Well, several yards on the road, I felt another one and then another one.  It was very sporadic and light, so I continued on.  The road was damp, however, not enough to make a real mess.  I got to the meeting place and swore that I would turn around if it rained harder.  It didn't start till we were now on our way towards Seven Locks Road and Bradley Blvd.  I thought hard about turning around and calling it a day, however no one else spoke up and everyone continued to ride, so I stayed quiet and tagged along in back or sometimes leading in the front so I would stay out of the spray.   Well it turned miserable as usual, cold, wet and gritty. My thumbs were now frozen and were stinging from the frostbite.  Working harder did not work as I didn't feel like I was getting any warmer.  So I just kept up and rode.  I got back home, stripped off my wet clothes and threw them into the wash, sprayed down the bike (Not cleaning it yet as the wife would go nuts if I brought the bike inside) and took a shower.  OUCH!  My ankles, knees were all red from the cold and the warmish water didn't help.  Hot water was definitely out of the question.  The red parts were now itching.   I'm now trying to warm up.  Hopefully soon I feel back to normal.   

Bottom line, I don't seem to be able to learn from my mistakes.  It's just too easy to get talked into riding on a day like today. Of course it never starts with any rain.  Reminder to myself.  If it's wet on the ground don't go!  Of course, I thought it was Wednesday today, so I thought it was the hill day, so I was much more eager to ride today.  

Anyway here's quote from one of my esteemed colleagues:

We don't take any performance enhancement substances.
 
We get strong cuz we train hard.
We train in all weather conditions.
We train all year round.
We don't take vacations because this would ruin our fitnes.
You'll never hear us say "it's too cold", or "its too wet" or "there's snow on the ground".
We train because we can.
_______________________
Of course when I get an email from them complaining after a ride, you have to laugh. 
 
By the way:
I ride (notice how I don't say train) when ever I can,
I do it so I can try to keep up with everyone.
I race, cause I like to win.
I take vacations for fun and because my wife and kids like to.
I get fit if I have the time to ride.
And like to have the option to complain about the wet or cold conditions or the fact that the "hammers" just pummel me into oblivion on some rides or when I'm not feeling good.

Cycling must be an addiction.
Keep warm and dry.