Having dutifully studied all available weather data, I left my room cautiously optimistic that I might be able to repeat yesterday's feat of dodging the droplets: the forecast called for a partly cloudy morning followed by afternoon showers and thunderstorms, and I felt I just might be able to make it to Gap before the heavens opened. Alas, the morning started slowly, with the low-hanging clouds and lingering spits of rain in the air no doubt dampening everyone's mood (get it?). Whatever the reason, we set off almost a full hour after I had planned, which of course set me fretting, but I was determined to ride with the group rather than be a recluse. As we pedaled slowly out of town I recalculated my arrival time and hoped the predicted precipitation wouldn't be punctual. Fortunately
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