Cycling while the rain was falling
This morning I needed to run an errand for the kids. It was stuff they needed for school, so I couldn't put it off. The place I had to go wasn't too far, just a few blocks away. An easy bike ride.
As I was getting ready, I looked outside and saw the sky was overcast and gloomy. Dark rain clouds were definitely rolling in. But I figured I could be quick and make it back before any downpours hit.
I hopped on my bike and started pedaling down the street. The crisp morning air felt nice as I rode along. The first few drops of rain landed on my face and arms. Just a light spring shower, I told myself. No big deal.
But then the rumbles of thunder began. Not too far off in the distance. I could see flashes of lightning starting to crackle across the sky too. This didn't seem like it would be a brief little shower after all.
I picked up speed, pedaling faster to try and reach my destination before I got completely soaked. The rain gradually intensified from a drizzle to a steady stream of water. My clothes and hair were already damp.
By the time I arrived at the store, raindrops were pelting down in buckets. Thunder boomed loudly above me as I hurried inside, trying to shield my face. In just five minutes, I had gone from dry to drenched from head to toe.
The kind staff took pity on me dripping all over their floors. They grabbed some towels so I could try drying off a little as I gathered the items I needed. I felt like a drenched pup having to be toweled down.
Even as I made my purchases, I could see the rain intensifying even more outside. From the storefront windows, I watched sheets of water crashing down in windy gusts. The streets were already flooding with rushing rivers of runoff.
Part of me thought I should just wait it out and see if the downpour would let up soon. But I needed to get back home to the kids. They were waiting for the things I went out for. I couldn't delay.
So I braced myself, secured my purchases, and headed back out into the relentless storm. Immediately I was drenched from head to toe all over again by the driving rain. Frigid water pounded my face and ran down my back.
The intersections were already like wading pools with how much the roads had flooded. I had to roll up my pant legs and push my bike through knee-deep waters at certain crossings. My shoes and socks were totally soaked through.
All around me, other people stumbled and splashed trying to run for shelter. Motorists crept slowly and activated their emergency flashers in the low visibility. It was a mess out there caused by the overwhelming deluge.
About halfway home, hail even started to mix in with the heavy rain. Marble-sized pellets of ice stung my skin wherever they struck. I shielded my head with one arm and tried to find any overhangs to take some cover.
By the time I finally made it back home, I was shivering and shaking from both cold and exhaustion. My clothes were muddy and dripped a puddle everywhere I stepped. But I had made it through the storm with what I needed.
The kids were so surprised to see me in such a disheveled, waterlogged state. As I peeled off my drenched outer layers, they laughed and asked what happened. I just smiled and said sometimes you get caught in rain on life's little errands.
They snuggled up with me on the couch as I recounted my wild ride home through the intense storm outside. I was freezing, but feeling so grateful to be back in our warm, dry home together after such a fierce downpour.
While I don't plan on biking in another thunderstorm again soon, I look back now and shake my head. All that chaos from what should've been just a quick morning errand on my bike! Just another adventure in parenthood, I suppose. The lengths we go for our kids, even if it means getting drenched to the bone.
Thank you for reading my post.
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