To bail or not to bail ?

[rugby bloke]

On Friday evening I set out for a spin in quite calm conditions. Over time the clouds became heavier and darker and it became clear there was a large amount of rain about to be dumped. At this stage I was a couple of miles from home so had the option to bail and head home or go for the extra 6 mile loop I had planned.

I figured that judging by the clouds I was in for a soaking either way so headed out on the loop. The rain caught me with 2 miles to go and spectacular it was. Within minutes I was soaked and the roads were awash. Climbing the final hill was fun as a river was flowing down my side of the road ... although afterwards Strava told me I had achieved a PB on the climb, so sometimes a little motivation is good !

Anyone else regretted not taking the opportunity to bail early on a ride ?

 

[crazyjoe101]

The weather round here has been pretty much constantly wet for the last couple of weeks and I've been getting used to dodging rain the past week because for the last two years I've permanently run mudguards so I just keep riding regardless of rain and it doesn't bother me, but now I have a new 'best bike' I don't fancy riding in the rain with mudguardless. I don't like road spray all over my face, back and transmission!
Usually if I regret not bailing it's because I've bitten off more than I can chew distance/speed/elevation wise and I should have known when to call it a day instead of adding another loop!

 

[EnPassant]

Don't bail, HTFU.

Mind you, I won't head out in the rain unless there's some real purpose, but if it happens whilst I'm out? Meh I'm going to shower when I get in anyway.

 

[Dave7]

Yup. A month ago it forcast "a few light showers".
10 miles from home I got caught in the hurricane from hell......wind, hail, rain.....it battered down all the way home.
I know other CCrs got caught out that day.

 

[Dogtrousers]

The "bail monkey" that sits on my shoulder and tries to persuade me to divert to the nearest train station is one lf my biggest obstacles on long rides. I find myself entering into all kinds of strange bargains with this cunning primate. On one ride recently the bail monkey was painting a picture of complete exhaustion and doom in the latter parts of my route. Bailing was essential. I agreed to bail out at the next town. But when I arrived at the key roundabout I took a sharp right down a very long hill. This completely wrong-footed the monkey, as the nearest station was now back up the hill. While he was considering his options I adjusted the route further to make bail-outs more difficult. I won that one. I don't always.

 

[Milkfloat]

I have never regretted not bailing, only bailing.

 

[Bazzer]

I had the reverse the other week.
Decided I'd go a circuitous route to Chester and back. Weather looked OK; some big fluffy clouds, but nothing too threatening, so short sleeve top and sans waterproofs. Got to the Chester side of Northwich and felt spots of rain. Previously fluffy clouds now looked a bit more ominous, so I bailed. A few miles later I was soaked, as the spots I had felt were the leading edge of the downpour and bailing took me straight into it.

 

[Nigel-YZ1]

I ride all year round anyway, but don't get out much, I'd rather be out and get soaked than have to wait for the chance of the next ride.

 

[biggs682]

Climbing the final hill was fun as a river was flowing down my side of the road ... although afterwards Strava told me I had achieved a PB on the climb, so sometimes a little motivation is good !

Anyone else regretted not taking the opportunity to bail early on a ride ?

see every cloud does have a silver lining

 

[Stevec047]

The only time I have not so much bailed out but cut a decent ride down in distance was down to the fact I was so cold and wet I could no longer feel my hands or feet.

Even with all the gear on it just got to much but unfortunately I was at the furthest point from home so still ended up doing just under 25 miles in total.

There have been many times that little voice in my head has said just take the next left and that will lead you home but I persist and ignore it.

 

[jefmcg]

The "bail monkey"

Ah, the bail monkey. My first attempt at a 200km audax was snowed out, but we were giving a month to do it as a DIY. The way it worked it you told the organiser when you were attempting it, and then sent him proof-of-passage or let him know you'd failed.

Things didn't go to plan the next Saturday when I made my attempt. Got to the start about 10.30. It was freezing cold, rain which turned to sleet. At one stage I got a cramp in my thighs so bad that I not only had to stop to recover, but I wondered how I would ever even walk to a train station. The sun went down and a freezing fog rose. I was just over half way round, and already over time and slowing. A cup of coffee and a bag of crisps did nothing to help, and I wasn't sure how many more food stops there were going to be open. If I completed the 200, I'd then have another 30km ride home with no train option. A sign beckoned "Hungerford Station". I answered the sign. I have no regrets.

(one LEL control actually employed a bail monkey. She sat beside me with her hand on my shoulder, telling me to bail. )

 

[derrick]

On Friday evening I set out for a spin in quite calm conditions. Over time the clouds became heavier and darker and it became clear there was a large amount of rain about to be dumped. At this stage I was a couple of miles from home so had the option to bail and head home or go for the extra 6 mile loop I had planned.

I figured that judging by the clouds I was in for a soaking either way so headed out on the loop. The rain caught me with 2 miles to go and spectacular it was. Within minutes I was soaked and the roads were awash. Climbing the final hill was fun as a river was flowing down my side of the road ... although afterwards Strava told me I had achieved a PB on the climb, so sometimes a little motivation is good !

Anyone else regretted not taking the opportunity to bail early on a ride ?

We was on a ride last Thursday evening, we normally end the ride in one of our local pubs, We were a couple of miles away from the pub when the heavens opened, we looked like three drowned rats in seconds, We decided we could not sit in the pub dripping wet so we bailed on the pub and went straight home, Does that count?

 

[nickyboy]

Only tried to bail once....

Having ridden Manchester - Llandudno on a Saturday I was riding Llandudno - Glossop the following day. Back to back centuries. Got a few miles from Knutsford and it was hosing down and cold and I wasn't really that well dressed. From Knutsford I could get a train to Manchester , then one to Glossop.

Went into the station, queued, to be told I'd just missed the train and there wasn't another for a couple of hours (being a Sunday). Went back outside.....rain had stopped and sun was struggling to get out. Got back on the bike, managed to cycle home. A close call on the bail front

 

[Siclo]

The "bail monkey"

I just close the zip on the Carradice when he really starts

 

[Arjimlad]

Bailing out can kiss my shiny mudguards.

Or if I am on the bike without mudguards, it can kiss my gritty neck/back/bottom.