Under My Umbrella (ella ella eh eh eh)*
japra | Nov 06, 2009 | Comments 22
We’ve been having some heavy rains these last few days. I thought you’d like to see how the Dutch handle biking in such poor weather. These photos were taken on Wednesday when we had surprise rain and hail. On Thursday, when it started raining before most left for work, more people were dressed in rain slickers and rain gear. Not everyone, mind you, but more than usual.
Y’all have a good weekend and stay dry!
*From Rihanna’s “Umbrella“. Roxi and I like All Time Low’s version–have you heard it? We also like MCR’s impromptu version.
About the Author: JaPRA is an expat Texan living in England with her husband (Mr. DJ), their 17-year old daughter (Roxi), and their dog Trudy.
It really has been raining a lot recently. Our poor dog gets soaked and runs home when we have to take him out. Usually you can’t get him to come home!
Alison, I have been getting quite the attitude from my dog… “You want me to go out in that?”
Okay, so the idea of riding in the rain seems fun but the reality looks a little…not fun! At the first sign of hail I would say “okay, enough of this, I’m done”
I love the cargo bike with the covers. I can just imagine my 2 older ones requesting to be carted around in that!
Julia, when I first visited The Hague, I was totally in love with the bikes here. It was February and cold, but I could so see myself biking around town. The reality? If it’s raining or if the winds are over 25 mph, I find some other form of transportation. I’m a wimp!
Been caught in the rain without gear one too many times! Hope it’s a nice weekend!
Kathy, living in England trained me to carry an umbrella, so in general, I am prepared for a downpour. Not on a bike, however! I am not that coordinated ;-)
wow you really don’t see much of that in North America, good for the Dutch!
Christine, I know it. I need to take a page out of their book and just go out in the stuff!
I love the fact that even though it’s raining cats and dogs, they still ride their bikes. Over here the minute it starts spitting, I take my cycling gear off.
Thanks for the photos.
Greetings from London.
A Cuban in London! Good to hear from you again, friend. Well, my hats off to you for cycling in London. I think that is VERY brave. When we lived there, there were always horror stories of people getting hit, run over, squashed between lorries and buildings… Cycle safe!
This post almost…almost made me cry like heavy rainfal ;-) How much I miss that!! Yes, yes, it sounds ridiculously insane. It must be a Dutch thing -lol.
Carmie, you are totaly cracking me up. Truly, you miss cycling in the rain?! Well, when you come over for Christmas you’ll get your share, yes? ;-)
Whuahahaahha….I know. I’ll be in Holland after X-mas. And I can’t wait to take my mums bike and hopefully it will rain cats and dogs :-)
That is seriously demented.
You are NOT a wimp. If you persist in lying like that, I will take back the award I gave you today on my blog.
Mwah!
Thank you, dear FF! What a fun award :-)
And in the spirit of things, I shall say I’m only a wimp when it comes to biking in extreme rain, wind, and cold. Eh, probably should throw in ice and snow as well! XO
Hi Japra and Roxie,
Thanks for interesting posts and pics.
How does Trudie like Holland ?
Dear Mrs. Blundell, I wrote a post for you today: http://www.justaplanerideaway.com/2009/11/a-note-from-trudy.html
XO, Trudy :-)
Hi JaPRA!
Nice photos! I sometimes wonder if it is that Dutch people are stubborn and that’s why they insist on going everywhere by bike even under the worst weather conditions. I always joke with my husband and say it must be their Calvinist past: suffering is good for the soul hahaha
I will certainly say dry this weekend – and I’m not so happy about it: we need rain here in this part of the world, since we are going through the worst drought ever…
Greetings from Argentina!
Hi Aledys! I hope you are having a nice time with your family and friends :-)
I had to laugh at your comment! I think they certainly are a hearty bunch over here. I guess they’ve been on bikes since before they were born and it’s just their way. Plus not everyone has a car, so I am guessing they don’t really have a choice for work or school. :-(
I heard the kids keep a spare change of clothes in their lockers in case of downpours!
Tee hee. I can handle walking in the rain but riding? I couldn’t even managing ride on people’s handle bars or sitting behind them (back in the old school days!)
I will need to do another post with kids sitting on bikes in precarious ways. I have a few pics, but I need more evidence–LOL! I don’t think I could manage riding around on wet pavement (or worse, cobblestone), in the cold, holding the umbrella. I’m just not that coordinated.
Oh my. These are the pictures I have been waiting for. That is just amazing. I just cannot imagine having such a sense of balance – throw an umbrella in the mix and will be falling right on to the side walk! Oh how admire this commitment!