I know... You are itching to correct the phrase "rain and shine", but absolutely it is what it is.
As to what I have mentioned on the 1st paragraph of my previous post Charlie's quick treat of sweet with a sunset twist, this is it! Me and myself alone, about to enjoy full gratification of the fresh wind clashing through your face. It could never been better.
It was a sunny Sunday, like how I usually spend my time alone, riding, and praying for a good sunny weather to last up until the end of the journey.
Yes, by just looking at the photo a bad news is about to come. Nimbus clouds forming, air starting to get cold and dense. But I was optimistic, I've travelled 30km already just to get to this spot. Having a little optimism wont hurt, and besides I'm in full gear. So if I get to sweep the road, that's fine, just don't give me broken limbs! hahaha.
How long will this "optimism" thing is going to last?
As I push forward, bad news is starting to welcome me with a slow yet passionate approach. I can hear the knocking sound of the rain drops as they collide on my camera and helmet visor. But still the show must go on.
Usually in this situation I would turn back and go home. But, I don't know, it must be the far distant horizon that showed a little bit of hope. I'm no expert in weather-reading but far up ahead seems sunny, although it is every evident that rain is hitting me. As you can tell by the shades of the trees, that strong sunlight must be coming somewhere, Or am I just trying to convince myself? hahaha
Then here comes the bad news I expected.
Don't get me wrong. I love rain, but the thing about it when riding is that it is too cold. Additionally, the cold weather is this place, the mist, and the wind; when they all add up, it's freezing.
Although, I have been riding in this kind of weather condition, I still hate it because I am not very tolerant to cold temperatures. I've been living in a tropical country and never have had been into any other country, and I am no superhuman. In this situation, focus and presence of mind are very important.
Oh what a hopeful view.
See that glare over there? That's what I was up to. If I push forward, I will get past this wet-balls-ride and enjoy that sunny mountain view up ahead.
I assume everybody knows that rain only covers a certain area and that if you keep moving until you get past that area where it is raining, if course; there wouldn't be rain?
But it turns out to be a false hope.
The further I push forwards the stronger it gets. At this rate, I am soaking wet, but I'm hooked into this situation and it was too late to turn back when I had the chance not to get wet. So I said "bring it on!"
There are so many dangers in riding while it's raining:
- less visibility - this will affect your reaction time when braking if something crossed the road or any hazard signages
- less tire traction - you cant just turn into corners and bake as the tires is affected by water called hydro-float.
- slippery roads - small oil spills from other vehicles and natural oils may scatter through the road as they are being flushed by the water. The 1st 15mins of the rain is dangerous because oil doesn't get flushed to the sewage system by that time.
- disk brakes gets wet - they bite hard and grip hard, not a good pair for less traction and slippery roads
- road hazards - especially this place I've been riding, landslides usually happens and heavy downpour from mountain side canyons may also include boulders, trees falling, and rocks all over the road.
- chills - yes, you will get chills, your muscles are harder to control and maneuvering through the roads and reflexes gets affected dramatically.
But no, not this type of rain. This was honestly not heavy. It's just that you have to hear me rant about it raining because I hate it.
Thus, I just have to take the pace slower, a very safe and wise decision so that I may live and ride another day. Be gentle on the throttle, slow down a bit, and be gentle on the brakes are the keys to success to see another sunlight hahaha.
Ladies and gentlemen. What I foresee of a sunny ride is about to come true. There just few kilometers more towards the horizon, I do see sunlight and happy ending.
Lovely view isn't it? Whenever I get past this road, I always slow down if not stop to take a deep breath and let myself be sun-kissed, and enjoy yet another wonder of how vast the world is.
Oh-oh! I guess happy ending is not yet to arrive.
I got to admit, the rain is pretty sporadic in this area. But still hope is there, and I am not there yet, still few kilometers more, and a few more of this rain agony.
Or maybe there is!
The roads are just wet in this place, maybe because the rain had just recently stopped and I am lucky enough to arrive just in the right timing.
See that blue sky ahead? That's what I'm talking about. SUNNY!!!
All the patience and optimism paid off.
Finally I get to enjoy the ride I've been longing for. No more chills, no more worries and I get to enjoy the road!
So, folks please bear with me if I would not say much in this section of the post. I am in extremely high focus and in captivity of the sweet and sexy view of the curves and satisfyingly dry road.
Behold! here I am, the place where I want to be, the place where I would take my cup of coffee.
But to be honest it is not just the coffee, it's the entire journey and adventure that brought me here
Oh! and I get to see a something sexy too. How I wish I could afford a Ducati. But who knows? I might get lucky, stumble on a $1b. So wish me luck!
After about 20 minutes of coffee, a few moments to thinking about my life plans, mostly just thinking about nothing, and appreciating other bikes coming in and out of the place, I decided to roll out to go home.
Well the sun is great, the road is great, but what lies up ahead is not very promising of a good life experience.
This is exactly the same scenario I was in before I got here. But then again "optimism". I wonder how many times I've made my life miserable due to being too optimistic.
Astonishing isn't it? Could have been a perfect view minus the house and dull trees on the side. Maybe a few editing and putting something taller trees and greener on the sides could make this a beautiful desktop wallpaper?
BUT NO!
Not today, I have learned my lessons. I have spent a lot of courage and luck going here, I don't have spare for another one going back. hahaha
U-turn time.
There is actually another route going back home, but it would be a complete round trip ride. However the distance is almost the same, but the road is not as good and not as quiet.
I am out for a ride anyway, and it has been quiet some time(almost 2 months) that I haven't been able to ride. Just so you know, my bike just had a full maintenance and an engine refresh. I decided to do so since she's been servicing me for 4 years tirelessly. This is my baby taking me not just to any places, but beautiful places, whenever, wherever.
This route are mostly straights, so going back home is effortlessly easy and safe. I'm not the kind of person who loves top-speeding on straights. I mostly enjoy straights by feeling the wind the the view of the horizon.
And this concludes my ride for today.
Takeaways.
In life we might make bad decisions that would lead us to struggles and life will slap us hard. However, when you're in it, never loose hope and positivity. As long as you keep moving, you will thrive and get out of the situation towards the good life you are hoping for. Just remember not to make the same bad decisions again, and that there are always other options(if not better) to reach our goals in life.
RIDE SAFE!