For me , riding in the rain and this wet weather is amazing. I do not really know why. Maybe its the rush of water and mad splashing on my body, or the smoothness of the bike wheels as they give themselves away with a floating feel on the wet tarmac. Or maybe its the extra alertness which kicks in since theres more danger when its dark or when visibility is low. But its a good feeling riding in the rain. Well I try not to unless I have to since people who care about me worry about it, and I agree.
But today was crazy in a new kind of way. I was riding my bike from a friends , six to seven , and yes, it was rainy. Riding in the dark is another totally different experience, haha but thats a story for another day.
So now I had combined the two demons that dare any cyclist out there. But I had to get home. So my adrenaline kicks in and my heart gives in to the ride. I’m riding downhill, all heavy gears engaged, top speed, and out of nowhere, a woman steps into the road. Two steps maybe? One? haha whose counting.
I rapidly react by swinging my bike and body sideways. At that moment I realize the baby in her arms, wrapped up nicely in white. I notice sound of the woman gasp for air in shock as she freezes to a stop. I had really not expected her. I wouldn’t have braked in time even if I’d have seen her. I pass safely , the only contact we create is that of a slight wave of cold chilly wind ,like the thin line between life and death.
I turn , a few meters ahead now, still at a high speed, checking if she is alright with my peripheral vision. She is fine, she is not rolling on the damn tarmac and neither am I. I wonder to myself, ‘had she not seen me? or did she assume I was not moving as fast as a car would?’ I conclude that maybe she had not checked both ways and ride on.
Anyway, this would have been a totally different story, assuming I could have been here or able to write and share it. Maybe I would have died from such a collision, or gotten badly injured, to live on and blame myself for the rest of my life for God knows what such an event would have delivered. Funny it is to me how my reaction came up. without thought I just moved. Like a moment of inspiration to a creative, or the awareness of a new equation to a mathematician. Could it be as a result of me riding a lot, or could it be that something beyond my mare imagination intervened. Haha , who am I to say anyway.
All that I am grateful for right now, is that I am here, I am glad I can write this and share it to the world. Coz thats usually tough sometimes. That woman, her baby and I live to tell a story, and hopefully learn from it.
Speaking of learning, just so you know, when you ride in the rain, you should save up for bike components sooner, also, you should be ready to deal with some bad ass laundry later. But thats not happening again right? riiiight?
Thiiiiilv 