Columbus Center Run

[Nickpz1]

I tried I really did – Walked out of my house at 5:30 the appointed time, I looked up at the sky and sneered at the weatherman – were going! The garage door lay open awaiting and I prepared for my flight. As the sound of the cobras pipes echoed through the night, waking my entire neighborhood (I feel its getting even with the noisy neighborhood kids) I pulled out of the garage at 3000 RPM – choke full on – it was a little cool out. I quickly ran to the end of my block and felt a drop of … rain.
Were going! I dropped a gear and headed out. The light was green as I hit the main drag going to the parkway – more wet – it will pass - were going – onto the parkway up to speed and going. As I drove with conviction I felt my left shoe filling with rainwater. Analyzing its entry point I make a mental note to caulk around the windshield post – then I realize the windshield is full of the stuff. I put on my wipers. I accelerate the car feels good, the sound of the pipes rumble in the night air and I feel sad for all those others still in their warm beds not understanding the thrill of driving a Cobra.
My left sock and leg are now noticeably wet. I feel a sloshing in my shoe – really should do something about that. I now realize that I’m having trouble seeing through the windshield. I turn the wipers on and off – little change - strange. A few early birds go by me and I realize they are putting up sprays of water as they go – It seems to be raining harder – at speed the rain goes up and over the top of the car so I’m nice and dry in my open car – except for my left leg. I realize the wipers are doing a good job on the “wind side” of the windshield but the cockpit side is covered with water. Dam – I’m now at the exit for Straight Path the road I took yesterday to meet with the guys at the club and talked about today’s run to Columbus Circle. Such high expectations for a great ride – weatherman said no rain – Sunday should be a great day – hell they said it all week – Sunday should be great day!
I just got another line of water running into my shoe. No. No. No. ****, turn off take the exit and head under the bridge. Hey the rains coming down pretty hard. As I hit the exit and slowed down it finally got to me. Go! No! Dam! **** Sorry – Home.
I wonder if it’s raining in Nassau. I’ll be pissed if this is just a Suffolk storm. Up to speed the pipes are making sweet music. No one passes me this time I’m now at speed – I realize the windshield is wet fully in and out - my hat is now also wet from the turn around. I’m concerned about the electrics, lights, dash, exposed speakers. The miles go quick and slow. Two cars ahead, I pass them with contempt – they have rainproof tops. I reach my exit and some concern for traction on the wet road comes to mind I slow, the rain takes the advantage and I feel it on my face. Up the exit and gone – that was easy now for the dry garage. Oh **** the neighbors waking them two times in one morning – tough! The light at my turn goes red. **** the rain picks up and so do I – one turn then another then – open the garage door – door opener don’t fail me now. As I hit the driveway I can see the door rising and the interior garage light welcoming me home. As the cobra finds it way to dry ground I grab the ignition key and it’s suddenly quiet.
I pull myself from the cockpit, my left leg is wet from my thigh to well inside of my shoe. It’s time to wipe down my baby. I search the garage for rags – micro fiber of course – to dry-er-up. An easy half hour (more) of that, wipe the body down twice, the interior put a rag in the foot-box to take up any “accumulated moisture”, wipe the dash, seats, rear panel, hood edges inside and out of the windshield, rims, under the hood, trunk lit edging, door edges, wing windows, roll bar, bumpers, lower cowling, air cleaner, under the hood, hood edge, cowling, speaker covers, sun visors and then do it all again and again. As I walked into the house my thoughts are with the guys in the club – did it rain in Nassau – Its 6:20 - They were to leave at 6:15 sharp – dam missed it. Dam rain – As I took off my wet everything – I could hear the rain really come down hard – Dam – good thing I turned around Dam…
Prolog – It was raining in Nassau of course maybe the whole northeast – one for the weatherman, the bastard! – Hey what’s the rain date – see you then!