I was really going to do it. I was fully prepared to drive 3.5 hours up to Long Island to race in the rain. I had my bike stuff packed, the Safire prepped, my water bottles and nutrition figured out, the maps and directions ready, gas in the car, and money in my purse. I was going to load the car under a light rain in NJ, drive north out of the rain, and arrive in Long Island at 8am. I was not too worried about the 30% chance of rain all morning, and I figured that riding home in the heavy winds and rain after the race would be unenjoyable, yet doable.
Well, Governor Chris Christy has already issued a State of Emergency in NJ. NY and Long Island are talking about evacuations. The NJ Turnpike Authority is closing highways. If I would have gone to race in East Quogue, NY, I would have problems coming home toward the storm.
I may be the Bikinator, but I don’t want to add hours to my driving time by coming home via another inland route. Even I must face the undeniable facts: At the very best, I would have a wet, but fun race followed by a very tedious, unpleasant drive home. At the worst, I would get up there, find the highways closed or the race canceled, encounter detours due to tidal surges, get stuck in NY, and experience the horror of watching tropical storm force winds ripping my beloved bike off the roof rack.
I think it's best the I stay home and miss yet another race due to bad weather.
