A Day to test waterproofness!

Date 67 17.5 miles Max 18.8 in 1hr56 Average 8.8.

 

What a day of drizzle! A perfect day for a bit of performance testing for waterproofs! Cycling in rain is all about the wardrobe. If your clothes keep you dry the rain is incidental. Today, Goretex waterproof trousers were essential - worn over trousers/jeans/leggings and they passed the test - as did my Gore jacket (a "shower proof" raincoat was left behind).

Yesterday's purchase of the Basil bag cover from The Bicycle Workshop in All Saints Road was added to the test list.  It's a bit red but I like it! (They have others)

I headed to Highbury, having met a friend in Islington, to see the new housing complex that was once home to Arsenal.   

 Is that a bit of pitch I wonder...!

Then on to The Emirates Stadium - the last time I was here I was on my way to  Germany 

It's amazing what you see on a bicycle.  I didn't really have a clue where I was going but that's one of the things that makes cycling such fun - if you are just pootling af few miles from home and you have time to spare it doesn't really matter. I did use the destinations on Bus Stops to check which direction I was heading.

As I cycled past the old Highbury I noticed these chaps.  What a job, I thought. I stopped for to take a pic and one of them came over for a chat. Apparently in the summer they paint the windfarm windmills in the sea.  They travel by boat, climb up a ladder to a hatch and then stairs to the top of the mill.  From there they can drop down over the outside and paint away.  Apparently each windmill can sleep 10 in case they are stuck in bad weather.  Learn a new thing every day I thought.

I couldnt help notice the steam coming out of the tarmac - it was like something out of a film.

As I cycled towards Essex Road, I was about five feet away from the pavement when a BMW came past, wound down the window and shouted "Move Over. Move Over" pointing at the kerb.  I grinned hugely and shouted back "Pot holes. Pot Holes". 

"Whatttt?" he shouted "POT HOLES" I replied "I'm avoiding the pot holes.  I'm not cycling to just be in the way I'm trying to avoid potholes. Do you ride a bike?  You seem very stressed".  He acknowledged my smile and grinned back at me. "Oh, I see" he said. "You would have much more fun if you rode a bike! I said, still grinning.    And he smiled back!  Result!

I spotted another bike shop which I will pop back to another time.

Once home I could check my waterproofing. The Gore cycling jacket was soaked through but I was dry.  My gloves and Doc Martens however failed completely and I had cold, wet hands and feet.  A hot shower followed by hot soup resolved the norm.

The Basil Bag wins hands down!  Everything in my Brompton bag was bone dry! (Or would have been if I hadnt kept opening it!)