Biking in the Rain and Fog = Huge Thrills When You're on the Ocean

I had no plans to ride my bike in Maine today. The forecast sounded horrendous so I figured my swim in the morning before I left Vermont would be it for the day.

I could hear the ocean from my hotel room - it was

very loud as the waves are high and I could smell

it but I could not see it because of the fog!  I

needed to explore.

But when I got here it was foggy but not too cold compared to what it has been and simply misty so I decided to explore on my bike.  As soon as I stepped outside it was raining so I headed back to switch to my raincoat. Very Good Decision!

First I headed up to "my" lighthouse but it was so foggy you couldn't even see the lighthouse!

You could hear the foghorn but not see the red 

flashing light.

Starting out - lovely right!

Also at the lighthouse.

I continued along loving the smell and sound of the ocean.  I had no plans of a distance to go. I was simply enjoying the ocean while also looking for a place to eat supper!  I kept going over this bridge and continued north toward Ogunquit with no intention of going very far.

I ended up riding and riding. It was hilly but they were fun hills that were easy to get up and down.

I came upon some nice ocean views - or they would have been on a different day.

 At some point I realized that I might as well set Ogunquit as my goal. I got there and rode until I got to route 1 before I turned around.  On the way back I tooled around Perkins Cove where I saw the sign below, not one one you see just anywhere.

Most of the way back it rained pretty heavily. I still wasn't cold but my shoes got soaked and I no longer made any big effort to avoid puddles.  The whole time I was trying to be very aware of cars as the fog was still heavy.  Once I got back to York I headed back to my lighthouse before heading to the hotel. As I passed Short Sands I could see several people in the water. They were all surfers wearing wet suits of course but from a distance it looked a bit like seals.  Short Sands always has good  waves but on a stormy day they are obviously bigger and must be a big draw. I didn't watch too long as I was starting to get cold.

When I got back to the lighthouse I was amazed at how much better you could see it. When did the fog lessen?  Although once I got down off this higher point of land it seemed just as socked in as ever.  

I ended up riding 23 miles having a blast the whole time! I'm glad the weather was rainy and foggy as it just added to the whole adventure.  Tomorrow I hope to do a longer ride and I will take it a little drier please.  I have stuff draped all over my hotel room drying out.  It seems like I brought half my house but a second pair of shoes for biking?  Nope.  Even though I certainly could have.  My other pair of bike shorts?  Nope. Although that could be because I can't find them.  My bike is in my room too and I did the best I could cleaning it up.  It also makes a nice rack for putting my rain pants on to dry.  

After I warmed up I went down the road for a delicious bowl of clam chowder and a lobster roll. When in Maine.............