A Wet Piggy

I rode my KLR to Sahuarita on Saturday morning. It was all going smooth and then I realized that I could see rain in the distance. Not that rainbow misting rain but that rain that comes down so hard it almost looks like a solid wall blocking the view of the mountains. I realized I was riding directly toward it. Now I have put on about 500 miles on my bike the last two weeks as a new rider but never have I ridden in any sort of rain. It was in my path and it had to be done. I thought to myself "This is exciting. Now take it easy and keep it steady when the roads begin to get wet." It started and all was well as I maintained about 60 in a 65 zone. It sheeted over my helmet as beads of rain rolled over my face shield. My mesh gear was designed to breath in high heat to keep me cool but now..It was betraying me. The COLD water globules were spraying right through the mesh jacket and pants. It was a little surprising but invigorating initially. As it continued to blast me coupled with the wind of the 60 MPH ride I could not help but think. "This stuff is really cold for being a summer rain." All this time my tank bag was accumulating water and it now was all rolling down on to the seat where I straddled the motorcycle. I could feel icy water as it beaded down and continued to accumulate and pool in the dips of my seat with only my mesh pants to protect me.I could see it was not going to last long with the sunlight showing on the hills just up ahead. I was nearing the end.

Just before I completed the home stretch, another rider was going past me in the other direction wearing blue jeans and un-sleeved black vest. He was holding his left hand up to his bandana wrapped head as if to salute me shielding some rich dark sunglasses with a look on his face that could only say disgust...."At least I am not him" I thought.