1.69" and a Killer Pothole...

Rain totals for the storm from last night and this morning.

So at 4:25 a.m. I rolled out of bed to a gentle rain and period claps of thunder.  I stumbled my way through breakfast and then began to rethink my morning plans to bike to MPA - 22 miles away in East St. Paul.

I was going to ride the 1978 Trek 710 that I recently refurbished, but given the increasing amount of rain, it seemed to make more sense to break out the water proof panniers and ride the ole Trek 520.  So at 5 a.m. I took my pannier and went to the garage where I put my touring wheels on the 520 and then I waited for a break in the lightening before heading out at 5:20ish.

By the time I was at the end of the block, I was soaked.  So much for the rain gear.  I was somewhat anxious as the lightening continued to boom.  It got especially bad along Minnehaha parkway were there were a couple of pops of lightening that were way too close.  I pulled under a picnic shelter just before the Ford Bridge, hoping for a break in the weather.  Fortunately, a gap in the storm came along and I headed out again.

All was going well as I was headed downhill on the east side of Saint Paul headed for the bike trail - and then the pothole.

How I didn't crash I will never know.  My left hand and foot came off the handlebars and then my chest hit the handlebars.  Some how I managed to break with my right hand as I steadied the bike and slowed to a stop at the bottom of the hill.  A construction worker who was there, and saw the whole scene, commented that, "That was a close call."  I agreed.  God love the 520.

Today it rained 1.69" in the Twin Cities and I think I say each drop....

I am happy to be home and in one piece....