early lessons

10 quick lessons learned from my first week of bike commuting:

1. people drive worse in the rain. and slower. doesn't matter if they need to, they do.
2. keeping my rainsuit in my tailbag at all times is the smartest thing i ever decided to do.
3. the quickest part of you to get cold is the underside of your chin. this is due to exposed skin and the wind freezing the metal buckle on your helmet strap. balaclavas help, but are not failproof.
4. rainsuits are also very helpful for warmth as well as rain protection (further enforcing lesson number 2).
5. snowboarding gloves are not 100% waterproof. they are still good for just about everything, anyway.
6. i rather like riding in the rain. it's the kind of consciously-stupid-but-not-too-stupid activity i like.
7. when it comes down to staying warm and dry, you lose your shame very quickly.
8. good boots are very important. my boots rock.
9. rain is worse than cold when it comes to fogging up my visor. go figure.
10. you need to know your limits. like when i woke up on thursday freezing cold and feverish and decided to drive to work in spite of off-site parking and ended up going home 2 hours later because i felt like absolute crap. glad i didn't try to ride that day.

all in all, in spite of the rain and cold alternating days, i have still enjoyed my commutes. it's fun to be out in it, with fewer things between you and the elements. and it really makes you appreciate a hot cup of tea that much more.

for those keeping track: 1 week down, 3 to go.

rftc,

scott