Rain, Rain, Rain

Rain, rain, rain.

That’s the one thing I didn’t plan for on my bike ride today. After all, the weather forecast said 0% probability of it. But then, the outlook also called for a mild wind out of the south at ten kilometres per hour (six miles per hour). So I headed south as the wind was to increase to 20 around noon, which would make for a nice little tailwind on the way home. The wind was strong and gusting, quite early on.

Today was the first ride in many months where I was starting in a cold temperature (it was 3° Celsius or 37° Fahrenheit, plus a windchill when I left), and I had planned on a long distance, so clothing choices were crucial. My windbreaker and layers were just right, though the harsh wind and unexpected (though mercifully, fairly light) rain made it feel quite cold for the southernmost 30-40 kilometres (19-25 miles).

I had planned to try for my “Metric Century,” or 100-kilometre (60-mile) ride today; it has been my goal for 2020. (I told you about this plan back in May, in my post on “Ahead by a Century” by The Tragically Hip.)

I did it! Here’s a screenshot I took on my bike computer when I was slowing down to watch the number roll from 99.99 to 100.0 when arriving home, under a clearing sky.

“Rain, Rain, Rain” is on the B-side of Roxy Music’s 1980 album Flesh + Blood. It only seemed natural to acknowledge the unanticipated element that had me slightly nervous, for a little over an hour, whether I would stay dry and warm enough to complete my goal without a lot of discomfort.

I’ve previously posted another song from this album, “Oh Yeah.” The instrumentation, vocals and production on Flesh + Blood are magnificent.

Now you know a little about why this is my song of the day for today. Please enjoy. 

Here’s the audio for the song from Roxy Music’s official YouTube channel: