Rain, rain go away

Come again another day, about a month or two from now. Yep, it’s been raining a lot. Since we got here (to the Catskills) it has rained almost every day. Sometimes just a quick shower, other times a heavy downpour. In the first week, we got caught in the rain on our bikes twice. To put this in perspective, we haven't been caught in the rain in almost two years! Both Thursday evening group rides from Woodstock we got rained on.

Saturday morning we got out for a two-hour ride in the morning, returning home before noon. It rained 45 minutes after we got back. We timed that one well. The rain continued for the rest of the day, into the evening and heavier through the overnight. It rained all day Sunday but for one hour. With a dismal forecast for Monday, a little bit of cabin fever, and the blues, begin to set in.

Pleasant surprise! Monday morning we awake to blue skies. Temps have been cooler than normal so the 16 degree morning is fine.  Hottest day so far was 30 degrees but mostly it’s been in the mid-twenties. It’s amazing what a few rotten weather days will do to lower your expectations. The skies were clear and the day was warming up nicely with a cool breeze as we headed to Woodstock to ride Meads Mountain.

It felt good to be out riding in the warmth and sunshine after being cooped up for two days. The streams that snake along the length of so many of the back roads underneath the tall canopies – often dry this time of year – were gushing. Some patches of pavement still showed signs of last night’s rain. The legs felt fairly good after very little riding over the past three days, zipping up the steep sections of Whitfield and Upper Bone Hollow with ease. The sweat starting to trickle.

Some new pavement on Krumville, a road with a downward tendency in the direction we are headed, made for a fun blast into the town of Olive Bridge. As we continued on the road to Ashokan Reservoir, which the locals just refer to as “The Res”, the skies are clouding over. Still, the Res is always a feast for the eyes and some sunlight pokes through the clouds and shines a spotlight on the distant mountains across the water. It is a heavenly sight.

Once in Woodstock, we stop at Overlook Mountain Bikes, a shop that has been beacon of hospitality since we’ve been coming to this place for vacation. Billy, the shop owner, a young man in his thirties, has made a real go of this store since buying it from Vinny many years ago (I know it’s been at least 13 years because Billy helped Paul get his bike fixed up after his bad crash in 2002). Billy is the nicest guy among many nice guys in this area. In fact, we frequent three bike shops all within a thirty mile radius and each one of the owners are super guys. This is not a quality typical of bike racers but obviously there are exceptions.

While at Billy’s shop, our friend Bruce offers us cupcakes left over from his niece’s graduation. As luck would have it, we are in need of some sustenance for our impending climb. They are organic and, according to Billy as healthy as you’re going to get. Chocolate with white icing. Works for me! 

And off we go. Meads Mountain is only 5 minutes down the road. Paul takes off ahead and I go at my own take-off pace, after hitting the interval button on my bike computer. Twenty minutes and 3.1 kilometers later, the work is done. Not my best result but I gave it the best I had on the day. Legs were fairly good, lungs less so. Fitness needs some work.

Back down we go. The wind is a little chilly with the body still sweaty from the effort of the recent climb. Once at the bottom it starts to rain lightly. We beat it back to Billy’s shop and before long the rain stops, the roads dry up. With dark clouds looming, we decide to take the shortest route home to guard against further wet insults, but none appear. After a quick shower (of the indoor variety) we drive to New Paltz, a distant but favoured town, for dinner. Amazing: The sun is shining and nary a cloud in the sky. The evening is lovely and warm. It’s supposed to rain for the next two days. Will the forecast play out? All we can do is wait and see.