Not strictly commuting ...

yesterday rode over from Bromsgrove to the brother & sister-in-laws at Dorridge. The weather had been good all day even if there had been quite a lot of clouds around.

Started off around 16.45, I had decided to ride the trike as I hadn't been out on it for some time. At Marlbrook (just ip the road) a storm struck and I had to put my Goretex jacket on. Foolishly I thought it was just a passing storm and so pressed on towards Barnt Green. The rain got heavier as I climbed the hill but more or less stopped as I descended to Alvechurch.

I began the climb to Weatheroak and glanced back towards the West, unfortunately I could see another storm coming! As I climbed the 1:6 (about 17%) towards the windmill the rain came again - even heavier than before. On the descent to the Horse & Jockey the road had turned into a river - in some ways the trike was a good choice because if (when) I hit a pothole hidden by the water I didn't fall!!

I stopped under the A435 by the Horse & Jockey to let the storm pass. Thunder & (forked) lightening rolled around the countryside. Drinkers leaving the pub in their cars made lots of noise. This bridge is obviously not a place to spend a quiet afternoon. I tried to ring the familly to say I would be late but found the 'moby' had become soaked in the saddlebag and would not work!! (it has since dried out and is now fully recovered).

Finally the storm passed and I rode on via Earlswood and Hockley Heath to Dorridge, many large puddles of water. Arrived soaked.

This is the second time I've ridden over to them and a storm has hit - maybe there's a message in there for me somewhere!

The ride in this morning (28th) was after a visit to the Dentist all clear for a while at least. Traffic through Moseley and Highgate was erratic but at least it wasn't raining!