Dodging Thunderstorms

We held our second ride of the season this past Sunday afternoon, though not without some second thoughts in the parking lot before we got started.

Thunderstorms were gathering all around and we were visited by some brief showers as we unloaded our bikes, but by some miracle the bad weather managed to stay just south and east of our route. Ultimately Nelson, Marie, and I made it down to the Channahon state park and back while staying completely dry...and not being struck by lightning.

The weather did give me the chance to point out cloud features like the high cirrus anvil spreading downstream from the line of severe storms, and the mammatus hanging out underneath. I should note that these are not features you normally want to see when out riding a bike. (We discourage storm chasing in general, and especially so on bicycles.) I should also note that you have to be careful discussing mammatus clouds around Nelson. He appeared a little shocked by the dialogue. Apparently in Puerto Rico the word "mammatus" has the same etymology as our word, but with a much different translation. I refrained from getting the details!

Here is the ride summary:

First Ride of 2011

Despite the pessimistic forecast, the weather ended up cooperating beautifully and we were able to complete our first ride of the year. Ken, Eric, Jon, and Marie met Saturday afternoon for a 14-mile trip along the Wauponsee Glacial Trail. It was great to get back outside after several months off, and to enjoy the company of fellow riders. Somehow the trip goes much faster when you have someone to chat with the whole time!