Again, with THAT word...

As was discussed last winter, the word "epic" has become so overused and bastardized that it's merely a shell of it's former self.
Well, last night, a ride that went from pretty fun in the Vietnam-esque heat and humidity of Columbia, turned into a battle with the elements. As is said in Columbia all too often, if you don't like the weather, wait 30 minutes...
The skies began to darken about 45 minutes into our ride, but "hey, it'll pass" was uttered by more than one person. The turn was made on Dixie extension, which is, for my non-Columbia, SC readers, the road leads to the furthest point out into Fort Jackson Army Training Base you can ride a road bike. Yeah, we rode all the way out last night.
Upon, turning back towards town (and facing West), it was noticed that the skies ahead were very dark. The pace went up, in the thinking that we could beat the storm. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Sorry, I just made myself laugh...
The rain started about 5 minutes later...then the lightning...then the wind. The rain went from drops to 'biblical' in the course of about 800m. Visibility went to MAYBE 50m, the wind was gusting, thus blowing the rain sideways. It stayed this way until we got into the center of the Fort, then the temperature PLUNGED. And by plunged, I'm talking dropping 25-30 degrees! It was COLD at the traffic circle. With this cold, the final cherry was placed on this oh-so-damp sundae of misery...HAIL! Marble-sized hail began to fall! The answer to your next question is, YES, that shit stings went it hits you.
We all made it home in what was an actual lull in the mayhem. It was still raining, but about 15 minutes after I hit the door, all hell broke loose again! My yard, and neighborhood for that matter, looks like Godzilla rolled down and shook the trees. Branches are everywhere, which means my children have some work to do in the backyard this morning!
The ride was maybe borderline EPIC, but it was definitely hectic for a long while!

As an aside, it seems the new rim shape on the Zipp 404 FC wheels is very efficient at slicing through both flowing water, and deep standing water. And regardless of what other reviews you may read about them, the braking is NO better in the rain. I think I actually sped up at one point when I applied the binders.

Oh, and Rahsaan Bahati is in town. If you see him, say hello! We hung out yesterday for a long while, on and off the bike. He's very cool, very mellow and just a good guy. He'll be riding with us Saturday morning, so get to the circle @ 8 a.m.!!
Apologies to him for nearly drowning him last night! His exact text to me after the ride was "Dude, that was uncalled for...soaked..."