Still time to join WA Bikes’ November Ride in the Rain Challenge

It wasn't your imagination. October really was the rainiest on record.

So by now you are used to getting wet as you bike around town. It's not so bad, right?

Well, if you need some extra motivation to leave your warm, dry house and hop on your bike in the rain, it's not too late to register for WA Bikes' Ride in the Rain Challenge.

Log all your bike trips for the month of November on the Ride in the Rain website (even if it wasn't raining at the time). You can also form or join a team to help keep each other accountable.

Once you get used to biking in the rain, you won't want to get around any other way. Sure it can kinda suck sometimes. But it's also empowering to know you can get around under your own power year-round, rain or shine, and still mostly have fun doing it.

For many people, nothing breaks through that heavy, dreary feeling that comes during a dark fall and winter like a daily adventure on your bike. I know that's the case for me.

Any hey, it's also an excuse to invest in better rain gear or other rain-friendly clothes. After all, you'll save at least that much money by biking instead of driving or taking the bus.

So if you are motivated by tracking your rides online, sign up for the Ride in the Rain Challenge! From WA Bikes:

The Deets:

• Anyone can participate. It doesn't matter if you are a seasoned rider, a weekend warrior, or just getting back in the saddle. Ride in the rain is open to everyone.
• You can track all your bike trips, not just commute trips."Users can log any and all bike trips - to work, shopping, exercise, coffee, just for fun or all of the above.
• You can log an unlimited number of bike trips."You can log as many bike trips as you'd like per day, and you can designate whether or not your trip is a commute trip to and from work. Washington Bikes tracks how many commute trips have been logged, so we encourage you to mark your trips accordingly. Note that this Challenge defines a trip as 0.25 miles or more, ridden outside (not on an indoor bike). Also, your bike must be able to be operated without a motor (e-assist bikes are ok if they are not completely motorized).
• Leagues and organization affiliation."Join a league to compete with other people in your industry, your neighborhood, your office, or your department. Leagues can be organization-specific (restricted only to participants from your organization) or open to anyone. Only team captains can join or create leagues.
• Trip logging grace periods."Users will have a grace period of 14 days to log their bike trips. This means you have two weeks after the trip to go back and log it for credit. The last day to log a trip in the Challenge will be Friday, Dec. 2.
• What counts as a trip: A bike trip in the Ride in the Rain Challenge is defined as a ride outside greater than or equal to 0.25 miles in distance. A commute trip is defined as a trip between home and the school or work. All other trips made during the workday or for getting around town should be designated as 'other.' Sorry, but only outdoor bike trips (no spin or indoor biking miles) count in the contest.