The Saturday ride this week was postponed on account of rain.

Not having enough sense to come in out of the rain, I went
out and did a Century ride (100 miles) in the freezing rain.
There were more than a few times where I didn't think I was
going to make it back without calling for help, and if I'd
had a support vehicle, there were a number of times when I
would have SAG'd out!

As it turned out, water was getting into my raincoat pocket
where the cell phone was, and the cell phone died, leaving me
with no choice.    It's amazing what you're capable of when
you have no other options!    :)

Around the 20 mile mark my "waterproof" Gore-Tex gloves were
waterlogged (they're a pretty old pair - I need to get some
of the stuff for re-waterproofing Gore-Tex.)    Around the
50 mile mark I could no longer feel my toes.   Around the 75
mile mark I couldn't feel my fingers, either.   I stopped at
a D&W and went into the bathroom and ran my hands under warm
water until I could feel them again.   Then I walked around
the store until I could feel my toes.   In the produce section
they had a dispenser with samples of apple cider, and I drank
three glasses.

Feeling a bit recovered, I got back on the bike and headed on.
My water bottles were empty, but luckily around the 85 mile
mark my route took me by a friends house, where I stopped and
refilled them.   He laughed at me as I wrung a pint of water
out of each glove.

About 10 miles from home, I started to bonk (i.e., run out of
glycogen, making one feel weak and lightheaded)in spite of
having eaten three packages of instant oatmeal and two Clif
bars.  I kept it together long enough to get home, and the hot
shower I took was the best I've had in my life.   Luckily we
headed out to eat immediately after that, which got some brain
fuel back into my system.

The "Pacific Trail" rain pants (they're not Gore-Tex, but they're
similar) worked great.   No water got through for the first 75
miles or so, and they breathed very well.   They'll definitely
work great for my 4 mile commute to work!

The best part of the ride?   It put me over the 4,000 mile mark
for the year!    :)