Day 66 – A Sanctuary in the Rain

Rain clouds have surrounded us the last couple days.  Yesterday I biked in mist.  Today I biked about 40 miles before the rain started coming.  Jill has been staying near with the pick-up (leap frogging ahead of me frequently) so I don’t need to worry about severe weather.  I rode through mist, then sprinkles, and when it started raining hard Jill was waiting around the corner.  I jumped in the pick-up to figure out what to do next.  I was feeling good which surprised me after yesterday's extreme climbing.  And I really wanted to get seventy-plus miles in today, so when the rain let up a little I decided to go for it.  Likely not my smartest idea of the day.

I got maybe another three or four miles down the road before it started to rain hard.  At this point bull-headedness replaced reason and I just kept going, waving Jill on.  Finally by mile 57 I had to quit.  The rain isn’t really that uncomfortable – I could keep biking if it was just the rain.  I was already soaked so I’m not getting any wetter.  The problem is that it’s hard to see when it rains hard.  Imagine driving a car with no windshield wipers.  I had to take my sunglasses off because I couldn’t see through them and then I couldn’t keep my eyes open due to the sting of the rain.  And then for some reason traffic picked up and the spray from passing cars is not as fun as it sounds.  It got dark and it got unsafe.  Around mile 57 I knew it was in my best interest to give up for the day.

Problem was, I quit at a spot Jill couldn’t get to.  I had little choice but to wait it out under some trees until I could bike another half mile up the road to a gas station where Jill was waiting.  This is the part of the story where my disappointment did a complete reversal.  As I surveyed my situation I realized I was standing in a group of trees right next to a beautiful lake (Lake Anna).  Ten feet from me was an outdoor church complete with pews, tables, lectern, and cross – all next to the lake.  As I stood there soaked, and with rain running down my face, I viewed this beautiful, serene sight.  In the background, with the cold rain falling on the lake, steam drifted up off the water.  I can’t describe it.  Hard to understand given the situation, but all seemed calm.  All seemed right with the world.

I tried waiting out the hard rain for about a half hour, but it showed no signs of letting up.  Finally I biked the remaining half mile up the road to join Jill.  We packed up the bike and gear and I jumped in the pick-up soaking wet.  As we drove to the hotel I thought about how many times on this journey I have been in awe at what each day brings.  Never knowing what to expect, but always pleasantly surprised.

Total distance biked today, despite the rain, ended up being 57.8 miles; from Charlottesville, VA to a little outdoor church on a lake about six miles north of Bumpass, VA. 

My ride started this morning next to a vineyard.
I am surprised by the number of vineyards I pass in Virginia.
This was my last view of the mountains.

One of the roads biked today.

One drenched biker!

Looking out from under the trees.
Note the hard rain and the steam coming off the lake.

Another view from under the trees.
Note the church pews.

Another view from under the trees.

My sanctuary from the rain.