After a couple weeks of riding silence I found myself again floating over the road with the familiar, remarkable feeling that nothing mattered except the pavement unrolling ahead. Later in town I was presented with an iconic symbol of quietness. For an instant I thought I could understand. Riding through the world I felt as if the Vespa was part of some heavy existential keel stabilizing mind, body and spirit.
An even keel, another unlooked for result of a simple ride.
At dusk after a short ride I felt in the center of the world. Strange to feel as if nothing but this moment matters. Fleeting, but instructive as I rushed off on foot to meet friends.
An hour later I’m pounded by rain under the wet glare of night. The earlier feeling of connection surrendered to the more immediate concern of navigating safely home. Several times the dazzling light of oncoming traffic made it seem impossible to see the road and I found myself accepting with faith that no holes or concrete blocks were in my path.
Riding in rain, can be fun…..add wind….not so much fun.
I’ve yet to find a solution for good visibility when one’s helmet visor is not shedding water anymore….
Rain during daylight with calm air is fine. Add wind as you say or night and it gets more stressful. My visor is just terrible now with rain. Seems like I can never really sweep it clear with a glove anymore. The First Gear jacket is great and windproof. Old Tourmaster Overpants lost their water protection long ago. When I arrived home and pulled them off Kim took a look at my jeans and asked, “Did you piss yourself?”
I’ve always liked Rain-X for glass and when they came out with a plastic version I picked some up. I put it on the windshield, visor and the GoPro case. Still waiting for rain…
I’ll have to look into that. A friend told me Lemon Pledge works even better at cleaning and protecting the visor. He said he learned that from a helicopter pilot who uses it for the bubble.
Rain with good gear is OK.
Rain without rain gear can be wonderful if it doesn’t last too long, and it’s nice and hot out. Like my recent ride in the everglades with Conchscooter.
Rain, like most other weather, can be good or bad depending on circumstance. If prepared, mentally and physically, I’m ready for pretty much anything except hailstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, and, well, that’s it.
It’s weather is definitely the ying and yang of riding, when it’s clear, lovely and calm it is magical, but when it becomes tempestuous it can become stressful and challenging. Sometimes though even in the tempest there is magic, it’s just trying to find it.
Magic in the tempest…..
I like that.