So, here’s another great example of how the climate is changing and the world’s inhabitants are suffering. Recently after our heat wave came the floods. It started with lightening and a crash of thunder, then the downpour ensued for the next three hours or so filling the streets, backing up the storm drains and wreaking havoc on businesses and homeowners.

The Metroped office is in the bottom floor of our building, which,  is nice in the summer because we stay cooler, but unfortunately, large amounts of rain over a short period equals disaster. We were semi prepared with preventative measures taken from previous experiences ie. machinery off the floor, pumps on hand etc, but we still suffered extensive damage. A week later, we are still in the process of cleaning floors, demo-ing walls and repairing damage. It’s terrifically exhausting work in the midst of our busiest season.

To turn this story around, I will enlighten you with an experience I had shortly after leaving the office in the middle of the downpour. Seeing that there was no break in sight and I was tired from my 30 miles of riding around the city that day, I chose to take in the long needed rain and pedal home. I pedalled out into the streets and I realised we had a lot of rain coming down. I turned into Union Square and there was already 16 inches of standing water with every street looking more like a river. The storm drains couldn’t keep up and what were once streets, now became waterways. I knew instantly that this was dangerous with the water backing up by the second, so I chose to ride towards higher ground. Against the current, I took a new course towards Highland Ave. on Spring Hill. I was drenched, but thoroughly enjoying the moment.

As I reached the top of the hill and turned towards Ball Square I came across another commuting cyclist enjoying the ride. She was prepared for the rain with a nice pair of open sandals unlike me in my soggy sneakers. We acknowledged each other with a smile and continued to ride, taking it all in. The rain kept pounding down and we took our time talking to each other about our day, our direction and how nice it was to be out on a bicycle. No one else could have shared this moment, no one sitting in a car anyways. We weaved with the streaming water, humming to recent radio hits and took in the cold, wet air. For the next five  minutes we rode as if we had been friends for years until we approached Powderhouse Square and I made my turn.

For those of you interested in the bicycle and what it can do, take the plunge. You will enjoy every minute of it.