For on that morning when I drove to work and stopped at a set of traffic lights the car was actually being rocked by the winds. There are certainly times when one has to ignore the often misguided concept of calling someone a fair weather biker. Taking a staunch approach, in outrageously dodgy and unpredictable conditions, is not clever, and as I shuffled into the gale I quietly applauded( in thought you understand) those riders who all chose to leave the two wheels in the shed and get a lift or take the car. Ditto for the cyclists. There was not one in the green-painted cycle lanes on the main roads into and out of town from the suburbs. Impossible to control. Bit of a logistical nightmare for parents though as they become the delivery service to get the kids to the school gates. But again, sensible because letting the kids loose aboard a slight frame with two wheels in the sort of conditions which led the Metservice to issue severe weather warnings is just nuts. There is a bonus for some kids though.
“ It’ s only one day... you might as well stay at school because we’ ve got drinks after work and I can’ t pick you up.” I only once took on a very daunting wind aboard the bike and once was enough, although the option was finding somewhere to kip on the Takapau Plains as I was heading home from Wellington. I’ m sure there were times the side winds had me at around 30 degrees... and seeing a couple of caravans pulled up and shaking themselves about to the distress of their towers, was unsettling. It frightened me and I accordingly steered my way along at only about 65km / h. Mother Nature is a brute when she wants to be, but she demands and accordingly deserves respect. It’ s winter time and that means weather woes will emerge and at times they will emerge with real venom. If you have any doubt don’ t wheel it out. Take the bus. Or even better, stay home. You can always chill out with Judge Judy or Dr Phil. Stay safe.