Autumn is well underway here in the northern foothills of the Adirondack Mountains, and it’s a great time of year to be outside to bike, hike, and paddle. But fall weather is often rainy, and that puts people off, though you might be puzzled about that if you read the personal pages in the local paper. Back in the day, before the Age of the Internet, personal ads filled many pages in the classified-ad freesheets that could be had for the taking at any HyperMart or ser-sta-gro. These ads always made enlightening reading, even if you weren’t in the market for a new life-partner, and I was amused and surprised to learn just how many folks enjoyed taking long walks in the rain. Moreover, they all sought soul-mates who shared their enthusiasm.

While I can usually count on crossing paths with other cyclists, hikers, and paddlers when the sun is shining, I rarely meet anyone else when it’s raining. Where are all the courting couples? The answer is obvious to anyone who spends much time in the wet, of course. Rain, especially cold, wind-driven, insistent rain, is not an aid to romance. At best, it’s uncomfortable, in much the same way as a toothache is uncomfortable: a constant, unpleasant distraction. And at worst? Pretty bad, indeed. In fact, cold rain can kill you, damping all your essential internal fires until, little by little, they die down and then go out. That said, most bike tourers, commuters, and backcountry travelers manage to cope with rain. A few lucky souls even learn to enjoy it. I’m happy to say I’m one of these lucky ones, but only if I can stay comfortable. Comfort is king in most things in life, and nowhere is this more true than when you find yourself coping with a soaking drizzle.

Rain doesn’t have to spoil your day. In fact, with the right wardrobe and a small attitude adjustment, you’ll soon discover that rainy days add a new dimension to your appreciation of natural beauty. Read more…