A Rather Blustery Day

There was a gusting Northwest wind and the temperature was around 37 F this morning, so like a true Southerner, I bundled up as if I were about to embark on an Arctic expedition. Down here where things like down coats are found only in specialty shops, that means double arm-warmers, the long lycra tights, a couple of jerseys and a vest. And, of course, light shoe covers. The neoprene ones don't come out unless it's around freezing. As I was riding out to the levee I heard the omnious sound of a train horn. Every morning I have to cross the tracks at the parish line in order to get to the levee, and now and then a train blocks my way. I was dreading the prospect of having to stop and freeze to death waiting for this one, but luckily it was very short and by the time I got there it was almost past.

I wasn't expecting much of a crowd for the usually popular Tuesday ride, and in fact there were only four of us who showed up today, and Richard of The Pelican Club turned back early. The wind was so strong that our little eschelon took up the whole path on the crosswind sections. Just as we headed out toward the West, I spotted a meteor streaking across the still-darkened Western sky - no doubt a straggler from the meteor shower that peaked last night. We decided to forgo the long route this morning in consideration of the wind and the fact that at our average speed of, maybe, 19 mph we would have gotten back quite a bit later than usual. Shortly after we turned around, though, Big Richard showed up coming from the other direction. I guess he had been running late, but anyway Rob turned around with him and I guess they did some extra miles.

It'll be a bit colder tomorrow morning, but if it's not as windy it will probably feel better than today.