Rain, rain go away, come again another day! The clouds may have been grey and the puddles wide, but in the Band Rotunda at MOTAT there was a sense of determination. A short distance away stood the noble steeds that brought the assembly together, huddled under two marquees and tucked into a station outbuilding.
While the sandwiches, coffee and tea were devoured, conversation was rich and varied, with most avoiding anything but a cursory mention of the weather.
It’s the one thing you can’t control, after all, even though the riders wore an impressive array of rain gear and were happy to exchange tips about where to get it and how to personalize it (reflective 3M dots on a standard rain cape turn it into a bespoke hi-vis polka dot bike parka!).
The organisers deserve a pat on the back and a beer (or several) for dealing well with an exceptionally difficult situation. Because the wonderful people running these events do such a good job, it’s easy to forget that they are volunteers giving up their time to help us.
With the weather, particularly in Auckland and particularly in spring, hindsight is clearer than foresight, and not much can be done about that. In the week leading up to the event, the forecasts had been challenged by reality. And on the day, early forecasts were wildly different from what turned up; even our super-nimble event planners were completely outfoxed by the tricksy weather gods.
Luckily, MOTAT and their fine staff really looked after the crowd, providing a guided tour of the station precinct, the village and the pump house with expert commentary and the loan of nice big umbrellas (which were much appreciated). The tour was insightful and fun, and gave everyone another reason for being there.
About 12:30, all those who’d made it assembled one last time for a photo, before heading off in various directions; some to the pub, and others home for warm showers and hot cocoas. Kudos to the young members of the Grey Lynn Cycle Club Juniors, who not only looked the part, but toughed it out in the wet weather with big smiles.
And of course huge thanks are due to the tirelessly creative organising team (Jessica Rose, Sarah, Lois, Andrew, and Frocks on Bikes, the Auckland Tweed Run); our sponsors and supporters Blend, LBNZ, Rembrandt, and Glory Days; and the excellent team at MOTAT – especially Andrew the events man on the spot, and our super-friendly tour guide, David.
PS Any chance of a rain check, you might be wondering? Yes – there is an intention for a casual ride in summer (still in our Sunday best but sans the catering and bookings), a chance for photos and to give the bikes a proper run. Details will be published on the Sunday Best Ride page, so keep an eye out. Also, check out the page for more gorgeous photos of our damp but not downhearted day.
