Night28 The Whole Story Part I

I would have stopped in Elk Mound, because by that time it had already begun pouring. But Elk Mound didn't even have a mound of elks, let alone a place to stay. The next sign said seven miles to Eau Claire. I continued, and so did the rain, but only one of us was gaining power and confidence.
Then the lightning. It's a topic of discussion and debate among cyclists about what to do when you're caught like this. The wisest thing, ''they'' say, is to pull over, stay away from tall objects, get away from the bike, and squat on the balls of your feet. If lightning does strike nearby, it is less likely to travel through your heart if you are only minorly connected to the ground.
What really happens is this: every time lightning strikes nearby you duck your head for a second, utter something blasphemous, and pedal faster.
And that's just what I did until the lightning was striking on both sides of the road, and I spotted the house. It was still pouring at this point, and I had no idea how long it would last. I only wanted to get under a roof, and not knowing if the residents would let a soaking stranger in, I headed for a sure thing- the garage.
Under the tin roof the rain was deafening, but I instantly felt much safer. Time to get my bearings. No end in sight to the storm. Visibility as far as the road, a hundred yards, but no further. A car with grass growing around it, this garage, and the house. Me, soaked to the skin and a little cold.