There's nothing like a thunderstorm to improve your speed!

What a mild morning, 18 degrees at 5am. All appeared good when I left home, a nice northerly giving me a bit of a push along - this should be a great ride. Halfway down the hill and flash. Hmm that's not my ay-ups flashing, that's a bit stronger and all around, not in front. Then came the thunder. Okay, not my favourite place to be, riding a bike in a thunderstorm is not something I would intentionally do. Two options: (1) turn off Gungahlin Drive into Kosciousko at Palmerston and catch the 56 (hopefully it has a bike rack) or (2) just keep riding, my tyres are rubber aren't they?

Got to the first Kosciousko lights and there had only been one more flash of lightning and thunder, so thought I'd keep going, there is always the second set of lights after the hill. All was fine. I wasn't really worried about Northbourne avenue as there are bigger trees and buildings but along Gungahlin Drive and Barton Hwy is very open and I would probably be the highest object - on a metal frame. I kept cycling.

Going along the open grasslands I was very conscious of the storm bearing down from behind and my legs went flat out. Thankfully it was a tailwind and not a headwind! Stopped on Barton Hwy to take a photo of the storm approaching and disturbed an injured kangaroo. It was still hopping but very wonky. I think he must have been hit by a car. I returned to the bike lane and left him alone.

Generally the ride was lovely with a tailwind and very mild temperatures, but the threat of the storm with occasional flashes and rumbles kept me pedalling away. I definitely increased my cadence today (and I don't mean perfect or plagal).

Did get a little wet but the warm weather dried me off just as quickly. It was a great ride and I'm glad I didn't stop and wait for a bus. I knew deep down I would be disappointed in myself later in the day if I'd hopped on the bus. If it had been a really bad storm with driving winds and heavy rain, for safety it would have been another story, but it was just a small storm and I think my judgment today was good.

So another day, another excellent ride to work. The only way to go!