During the night it rained. When I got up, the roads were wet, but the sky looked promising. Little hints of blue were peaking through the clouds. Not wanting to miss my last day of riding in Switzerland, I quickly dressed and headed out the door. It was the normal Zoo Group and TTT start time of 8:00 AM so there was little traffic in town. Through the roundabouts and out of town in a flash. The roads already seem familiar.
About 10 km out of Le Mont, I felt the first drops of rain. Not to worry, I say to myself, it is but a passing shower. I’m talking to myself in a horrible fake French accent; think Inspector Jacques Clouseau. As I pedal further down the road, the rain starts to fall in broad bands. A couple of kilometers further and the first claps of thunder rattle over head. This is probably not a good thing. The rain has a sharp bite, the first of the fall season. What did they use to say, “only mad dogs and Englishman stand out in the noon day sun.” Perhaps I should modify that to, “only mad Americans cycle in the Swiss rain.”
I find a barn with a wide overhang and pull off. It’s a typical Swiss barn with a large door for the tractor and firewood neatly stacked on the side. The cows in the pasture next to the barn have bells on their collars which ring with every step. As I wait for the rain to subside, a red Ferrari passes. The woman in the passenger seat points to me, smiles, and says something to the driver. I know what she is saying, “did he not know it was going to rain today, silly biker.”
The rain lets up and I proceed. I’ll cut the route short, but still want to get in a few more kilometers. I proceed just a little further, but the clouds open-up. Would I be riding in this at home? No way. I turn around and head back toward Le Mont. As I get closer, the rain continues to pour down. The ditches are now filling and the puddles on the road get larger. I speed up, but what’s the use? I’m already soaked, it’s not all that cold. And it’s my last ride in Switzerland. Enjoy.
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