Take the following parts:
- The beating rain from Chilly Hilly
- The constant wind from Skagit Valley Tulip Ride
- The rolling hills of RSVP Day 1
- The poorly marked and supported route of Flying Wheels
...Add in a Ferry ride and mix them all together and you get this year's Kitsap Color Classic!! YAY!!!
Did I know it was going to be foul weathered for the KCC? ...Yes
Did I remember how miserable I was at the end of Chilly Hilly? ...Yes
I didn't care though.
Between the mechanical issues, the weather issues, heck even the planning and logistics issues that I faced this season (for those that dont know, RSVP almost didnt happen for me), I could not have wished for a better opportunity to face my own fears of riding through crap weather and get back to a state of mind where I could anything.
It wasnt fun, and at points very miserable. But it was also a new place that I had never been before. I was back to exploring new locations with my bike. At the end of the ride I felt much better than I did at the end of Chilly Hilly. I was still wet, cold and waiting for the Ferry to arrive, but I felt that sense of accomplishment.. not just survival. Call it closure, if you will.
And with that, I bid everyone farewell for the cycling season. It's time to hang up my road bike, put some fenders on my hybrid and buy some winter riding gear. Yup... I'm talking about fall and winter weather riding.
I've got a big goal for next year, my biggest goal yet... and nothing is going to stop me!
-CLOS
