I looked out of the window this morning. Heavy rain. I checked the weather forecast. Light rain at 6am. So I decided to risk. If I hadn’t have been up and about so early I would have taken the train from Waterloo. Mia had woken at 5ish so after Amy fed her and I had settled her I was very much awake and ready to cycle!The rain really was heavy and within half an hour I could feel that my arms and shoulders were beginning to get wet. I should have worn my ‘boil in the bag’ jacket but instead went for the Foska. The Foska performs well in most weather conditions, however in the rain and on a long ride something has to give.
By the time I reached Twickenham it was STILL raining heavily and my fingers were beginning to get numb. When I reached the environs of Feltham I had to stop as my hands were really painful. I stopped to root around in my bag for my latex gloves. After taking off my ‘waterproof’ gloves I realised that they had failed catastrophically. My hands were soaked. That’s a black mark for the Sealskinz then! I fumbled around trying to put on the latex gloves followed by the icy cold sealskinz and set off again.
The final push was really a case of gritting the teeth and counting the miles. Upon arrival at Bedfont my fingers were throbbing and it took me an age to take off the lights and pannier from the rack because there was no feeling left in my fingers.
The shower was blissful if a little painful. Now I have the prospect of going home in wet gear. Fingers crossed everything will dry sufficiently in the office. My jacket arms are soaking wet and my shoes will need stuffing with paper. The good news is that my trusty Sealskinz winter socks kept my feet dry if a little chilly. Gold star for the socks :-).