Wet ride

It's monsoon season ... the weather report calls for rain pretty much every day. It doesn't always rain, actually, but it always threatens and sometimes delivers. So my choice was to miss another weekend of cycling, or take my chances. Since likelihood of rain was given as 30% Saturday (with a range of predictions, but most saying there would be a few showers) and 100% today (Sunday), it made sense to give it a shot yesterday.

On the way to Bellinzona I encountered only sprinkles, though I was pretty sure I would get more as I pedaled into the cloud hanging over Monte Ceneri. Pavement was damp but not wet. I pedaled up to Castello di Sasso Corbaro again, and it went well, but I decided against going to Ascona (near Locarno) and just headed home again instead. By the time I got up to the top of Monte Ceneri again it was drizzle turning into real rain, with small drops but coming down steadily. I switched from my open-back, sleeveless windbreaker into my light rain jacket (and was awfully glad I brought it) on the way down. From then on it varied between light drizzle and light rain, with pavement varying from damp to downright wet.

I was a little nervous about the short, steep pavé section near Mezzovico (stones, not paving bricks). I expected they could be quite slick when moist. I took it very slow and didn't have a problem. I did feel a couple of wheel slips earlier in the day, when crossing a wet manhole cover and on some paint, but had no serious problems. I definitely wasn't pushing speed on the level and downhill sections.

52 miles overall, and the 3 mile segment of Monte Ceneri that I check time on was 24:48, which I'm happy with. Overall it's only about half the ride I had two weeks ago, but it was sure better than going another week without a ride.