Off Topic » The importance of weather

I know, it's obvious. It was brought home top me though on my recent trip to the Land of the Midnight Sun (UK to Norway, which I've posted in Tour Reports).

We rode for a full month - 1st June - 30th June, covering 5,000miles to Nord Kapp and back. and the border with Russia, of course. In all that time, we rode in maybe 3 hours of rain. All the way through the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway - via the Lofoten Islands - and Finland. Three hours.

So, our memories are of amazing, beautiful scenery and amazing, beautiful riding. Joy.

If, however, we'd had rain and cold and wind, even in such a beautiful country, I think we'd have been miserable, and our memories different, unhappy, and us glad to be back.

Am I wrong? Have you had trips which, despite miserable weather, were happy and memorable? Prove me wrong, please.

Beerman

Zitat von Beerman im Beitrag #1

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I know, it's obvious. It was brought home top me though on my recent trip to the Land of the Midnight Sun (UK to Norway, which I've posted in Tour Reports).

We rode for a full month - 1st June - 30th June, covering 5,000miles to Nord Kapp and back. and the border with Russia, of course. In all that time, we rode in maybe 3 hours of rain. All the way through the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway - via the Lofoten Islands - and Finland. Three hours.

So, our memories are of amazing, beautiful scenery and amazing, beautiful riding. Joy.

If, however, we'd had rain and cold and wind, even in such a beautiful country, I think we'd have been miserable, and our memories different, unhappy, and us glad to be back.

Am I wrong? Have you had trips which, despite miserable weather, were happy and memorable? Prove me wrong, please.

Beerman

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My cross-county trip of 2006 was an adventure with a leaking radiator, getting lost 3 times (didn’t have GPS then), and sleeping in the saddle and parking lot behind a McDonalds.

Years later, I look back with fond memories. At worst, bad weather prevents enjoying the scenery, but it doesn’t ruin the trip.

That said, I’m not very motivated to do more cross-country trips.

I think you're right, weather does play a large part. This reflects the fact that at least partly you are going on a bike riding trip as well as travelling. Not many would claim to enjoy the riding as much in all weathers.

I've had great days in the wet when I am properly dressed - feeling dry and warm against the elements, making progress towards a destination. Always helps if there is hot water, beer and good food waiting. But, I wouldn't want to do a whole tour like that. I've also had days where I've realised early on that a piece of kit, e.g. a boot has decided to leak - or rain has got down my neck. Then, its a long miserable slog that not even great beer can quickly resolve.
Agree with Wessie, my worst days have been riding into Paris in 38-40 degrees which was no fun at all, and leant over at 45 degrees on a high bridge with no viable alternative route.

Zitat von wessie im Beitrag #4

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Thread moved to the lounge.

I've had wet days that were challenging but the worst days have been dry with ferocious winds. Going across the B500 plateau (south of Titisee) in the German Black Forest where the road is very exposed above the tree line was scary in a gusting cross wind. They had locked the wind turbine rotors to protect them.

43C (109F) was deeply unpleasant in Central France in 2019.

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Zitat von Beerman im Beitrag #7

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[quote=wessie|p55287]Thread moved to the lounge.


Wind...yes, absolutely. What constitutes strong wind?
Beerman

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I have have done numerous tour's were the weather has been horrible. One time we stopped to get a drink and shelter from the torrential rain. We were all dripping wet, so didn't want to sit down and wet the furniture. Next thing we know, the staff surrounded us with "Warning Slippery Floor bollards" 😯
On a slightly different note. I went to the Manx/ Classic TT a few years back and the first morning I got up from the Tent to make tea. Bent over to light the camping stove and "click" went my back😲 I spent the whole holiday in agony, visiting a chiropractor and eventually going to Nobles hospital where they drugged me up to relieve the pain and calm the muscle spasm. So no biking for a couple of days in preperation for the long journey home.
But when I think of that holiday, my back injury is the last thing I think about. Only thinking of the good times.
Bikes tour's are Great theroputic events😉

Recall my first rainy, cold trip to Canada when I was an impressionable youth - when every trip was an adventure.
Similar weather today, I still get a nostalgic smile.

Some years ago, I remember a spirited day on US 129 in the rain. Don't recall the ability to slide the rear wheel was anything short of fun.

To a certain extent, when riding the bad weather, one has to ask what they would rather be doing other than riding. (I mean, aside from Bravo's obvious reply....).

When I was an active pilot, I always recalled the aviation dictum, "It's better to be on the ground wishing you were in the air, than in the air wishing you were on the ground".

I guess that applies to riding in less-than-optimal conditions also...

You are right, but it can to a limited extent be mitigated with proper kit. Did a weekend in Wales earlier this year. Second day absolutely torrential, kit wasn’t adequate had soaking hands and feet for about 3 hours. Got home absolutely miserable. But this past week have been in the borders, had two days with some heavy rain for an hour or two, had made some kit improvements, whilst not great fun in the rain, arrived wet on the outside, dry on the inside and in a much better state of mind! I also find riding in poor weather more tiring, requiring increased concentration and I tend to tense up a bit.