The Perfect Storm

You might not think it based on the photo but bear with me.

Yesterday, I spotted I could do the first half of my ride to the northern tip in the morning, come back to the van by 12 (because I had to change spaces), have lunch, avoid the storm and head out after 2pm when it all cleared up.

As you can see, a glorious start! I was also pleased that the first hour was very quiet on the cycle paths and the salt pans looked dreamy today compared to reflecting grey skies yesterday. However, this was the only photo I took!

All went to plan and I arrived back in plenty of time so had a van déca and a few munchies and checked out the weather. It had changed! Storms were coming in about 3 and light rain was forecast for 2pm. The next two hours dry. Change of plan!

If I headed out now, with flat roads, I should easily be back by 2pm even if the cycle lanes got busy.

I was back out at 12. A few miles south and there was an ominous looking dark cloud approaching. I cycled through trees for a while so forgot about it. On the other side, blackness out to sea. As I watched, two great forks of lightning crackled. Was this the equivalent mozzie killer karma for yesterday?

It started to rain and thunder. I couldn’t remember the names of the places I was going to pass through but realised when I saw the arching bridge onto the island, I’d reached the furthest point in my ride. The rain wasn’t so bad at first but they were disconcertingly big droplets. Time to pedal faster!

The rain started in earnest and what I noticed with joy was that hundreds of bikes were lined up on the quayside in the towns I went through as I wove my way back north. Everyone but me was avoiding the Atlantic storm!

Well, it wasn’t cold, the thunder didn’t seem to be getting any louder and I just pedalled fairly swiftly vanward on totally quiet cycle paths as it hoofed it down. So this is the way to enjoy cycling on Il de Ré!

I peeled my dripping clothes off when I got back, wrapped myself in three towels, turned the heating on and made a hot drink. I was running on empty, not wanting to stop for the last bar, so it took a while to warm up.

The sun has come out and I’ve had a shower and started drying off my stuff. I feel fully justified in scoffing a processed meal for three (with a bit of salad!)