We are now indeed in the middle of what can best be described as ‘monsoon season’.  The days start out innocuous enough with a beautiful cloud free sunrise quickly warming with the bright summer sun.  However, as the temps climb, so do the clouds.  With the warming of the mountain valleys, that air quickly climbs and collides with the cooler upper air creating a recipe that turns out lightning storms and rain showers every afternoon from now until late August.  Don’t fret over the weather, it just means you have to rearrange your schedule for outdoor activities.  Today for instance, I got an early start so I would have time for a bike ride and a little gym time.  My bike rides this time of year do start later than normal as I watch the Tour de France live on OLN.  Once in the saddle, however, I noticed the clouds forming today a little quicker than I would like.  After my ride, I switched bikes to my POS town cruiser and headed for the gym and a little upper body toning and ab work to keep the core strong for skiing season.  After the gym, I cruised into town for some errands as the growing maelstrom continued to form in the western sky.  Now in town, this is where my day got really interesting.  With the Fourth of July crowds comes the chaos that only happens a few times of year in our little mining town.  Cars double parked everywhere, kids with bikes going against the traffic lights, people just walking in the street without looking, other bicyclists running stop signs.  I saw all of these infractions in just ONE BLOCK today!  As I’m riding, I’m thinking to myself that this is surely what being a big city bike messenger feels like.  I must admit, it was quite fun the whole juking and diving about on my bike.  On the flip side, riding my bike around town today was semi-stressful and was glad I wasn’t in my car.  Errands now complete, the clouds darken and I think I can make a mad dash for my domicile, but alas, it was not going to happen.  First a few drops; a look toward the sky.  A steady drizzle ensues then the deluge started.  A quick sprint for cover and I was thinking maybe it will stop.  No way!  As I’m sitting here, still damp, writing this epic tome, a word to the would be summer Aspen visitor.  Be prepared and don’t leave home without your rain gear!  Stay tuned for more juking and diving here at the Big Bald Blog.  With that, I’m out!