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Hi All,
As some of you know, I didn’t have much confidence riding in the rain. In fact, I was down right petrified of the thought of riding during a storm. However, thanks to some good advice, upgraded tires and some positive riding experiences with rain, I managed to dramatically boost my self-assurance while on the bike. But, alas, the rain gods felt a true test of my mettle was due. They decided to send one of their minions not only to ravage my newfound poise but also to punish my rain riding haughtiness. I prevailed but the battle that was joined was a fierce one indeed. So on to the story of…
How I Slew A Rain Demon
It was a wonderful Sunday morning and the day looked as good as any I’ve seen. My riding partners and I had planned a wonderful excursion to Port Dover to see some of the scantily clad young maidens the community had to offer. Although the day itself was worthy of a story, it was merely a prelude of things to come. We decided to head north to begin our journey home and sighted dark ominous clouds in the distance. Foreboding as they may have been, my pride would not be cowed and I smiled inwardly that a little rain would not be any consequence. If only I could have taken back those thoughts, perhaps the rain gods would have taken no notice of me that day. Sadly, it was not to be and they dispatched their warrior to dispense their reprimand, a demon in the form of a rainstorm.
After riding for a time, our riding leader pulled over and queried the group as to whether or not anyone wanted to change into rain gear. One proud youngster, openly defiant and boastful, said he was not frightened and did not don his gear. Others in the group likewise decided they would not put on their rain garments, although they did not challenge the rain gods. They have learned to respect the ethereal forces that control the great outdoors. With our thoughts transparent, the rain demon would now certainly penalize us all for our collective overconfidence. However, it was me that was reserved a special sentence. In my silent arrogance, I did not even deign to pack any protective rain gear and I was smug in the fact that the rain would be of no impediment to me.
We began our ride towards the blackened clouds. For a time we thought that we had a reprieve from the storm and we would avoid its onslaught. That was not to be. The storm still came despite our hopeful thinking. It began with a pattering of droplets. The water cascaded around us, causing the roads to be slick and wet. We were not deterred and our leader continued to gallantly lead us. I fell into the middle of the pack to keep a watchful eye for the new rider in front of me and the new rider behind me. They would be easy victims should things go awry. Then the sky fell open and the deluge of water began. The battle was in full force as our invisible foe threw down the gauntlet of its challenge.
While all of us stoically endured the withering storm, I realized to my horror that the rain would hold a distinctive harassment for me. My protective shield began to cloud and my vision was becoming increasingly obscured. Soon I was nearly blind. How could I ride if I could not see? Hurriedly, I flicked the visor up only to be pelted with stinging drops of water. Each spiteful drop served to remind me that I was mortal, made of weak sinew, bone and flesh. Nonetheless, I would not bow and I steeled myself for further pain. The winds howled in rage as the demon made sure I would know its displeasure. How dare I endure its assault and make it look foolish? It then decided to increase the fury of the rainstorm.
The winds started blow in greater force and began to push around the rumbling machine that I was sitting astride. Although I wavered slightly, I managed to stay upright despite being in pain and blinded by the storm. For this new affront the demon increased the tempest of the storm. The rain fell and the winds howled but I did not relent. I rode on. The demon became desperate but it was not enough as I continued to ride, wordlessly tolerating the pain and capably dealing with the gusts of wind. Soon, the demon’s power began to wane and it physically weakened. My resolve became insurmountable and I knew I would prevail. And prevail I did. The rain disappeared quickly as it came and the torrential winds soon died. The rain demon had been slain!
The group soon stopped at a coffee shop to recover, dry their clothes and speak of their ordeal. I know of one youngster who would show less open bravado to the rain gods. After we broke up and went on our collective way, I began to think of the rainstorm and what it meant to me. Although I defeated my erstwhile foe, I knew that the rain gods would not tolerate further insolence. I would not challenge them further and I would pay them the respect that is their due. Otherwise, the next rain demon they send to me may not be so easily defeated.
As some of you know, I didn’t have much confidence riding in the rain. In fact, I was down right petrified of the thought of riding during a storm. However, thanks to some good advice, upgraded tires and some positive riding experiences with rain, I managed to dramatically boost my self-assurance while on the bike. But, alas, the rain gods felt a true test of my mettle was due. They decided to send one of their minions not only to ravage my newfound poise but also to punish my rain riding haughtiness. I prevailed but the battle that was joined was a fierce one indeed. So on to the story of…
How I Slew A Rain Demon
It was a wonderful Sunday morning and the day looked as good as any I’ve seen. My riding partners and I had planned a wonderful excursion to Port Dover to see some of the scantily clad young maidens the community had to offer. Although the day itself was worthy of a story, it was merely a prelude of things to come. We decided to head north to begin our journey home and sighted dark ominous clouds in the distance. Foreboding as they may have been, my pride would not be cowed and I smiled inwardly that a little rain would not be any consequence. If only I could have taken back those thoughts, perhaps the rain gods would have taken no notice of me that day. Sadly, it was not to be and they dispatched their warrior to dispense their reprimand, a demon in the form of a rainstorm.
After riding for a time, our riding leader pulled over and queried the group as to whether or not anyone wanted to change into rain gear. One proud youngster, openly defiant and boastful, said he was not frightened and did not don his gear. Others in the group likewise decided they would not put on their rain garments, although they did not challenge the rain gods. They have learned to respect the ethereal forces that control the great outdoors. With our thoughts transparent, the rain demon would now certainly penalize us all for our collective overconfidence. However, it was me that was reserved a special sentence. In my silent arrogance, I did not even deign to pack any protective rain gear and I was smug in the fact that the rain would be of no impediment to me.
We began our ride towards the blackened clouds. For a time we thought that we had a reprieve from the storm and we would avoid its onslaught. That was not to be. The storm still came despite our hopeful thinking. It began with a pattering of droplets. The water cascaded around us, causing the roads to be slick and wet. We were not deterred and our leader continued to gallantly lead us. I fell into the middle of the pack to keep a watchful eye for the new rider in front of me and the new rider behind me. They would be easy victims should things go awry. Then the sky fell open and the deluge of water began. The battle was in full force as our invisible foe threw down the gauntlet of its challenge.
While all of us stoically endured the withering storm, I realized to my horror that the rain would hold a distinctive harassment for me. My protective shield began to cloud and my vision was becoming increasingly obscured. Soon I was nearly blind. How could I ride if I could not see? Hurriedly, I flicked the visor up only to be pelted with stinging drops of water. Each spiteful drop served to remind me that I was mortal, made of weak sinew, bone and flesh. Nonetheless, I would not bow and I steeled myself for further pain. The winds howled in rage as the demon made sure I would know its displeasure. How dare I endure its assault and make it look foolish? It then decided to increase the fury of the rainstorm.
The winds started blow in greater force and began to push around the rumbling machine that I was sitting astride. Although I wavered slightly, I managed to stay upright despite being in pain and blinded by the storm. For this new affront the demon increased the tempest of the storm. The rain fell and the winds howled but I did not relent. I rode on. The demon became desperate but it was not enough as I continued to ride, wordlessly tolerating the pain and capably dealing with the gusts of wind. Soon, the demon’s power began to wane and it physically weakened. My resolve became insurmountable and I knew I would prevail. And prevail I did. The rain disappeared quickly as it came and the torrential winds soon died. The rain demon had been slain!
The group soon stopped at a coffee shop to recover, dry their clothes and speak of their ordeal. I know of one youngster who would show less open bravado to the rain gods. After we broke up and went on our collective way, I began to think of the rainstorm and what it meant to me. Although I defeated my erstwhile foe, I knew that the rain gods would not tolerate further insolence. I would not challenge them further and I would pay them the respect that is their due. Otherwise, the next rain demon they send to me may not be so easily defeated.
RIP - CyberPoet 20/09/2009
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