It's been wet in Perth for a week now. Maybe we'll get a couple more weeks of sustained rain, then just the odd shower before Perth returns to its usual fair weather. Winter here is something of a misnomer.

On the whole, Perth bikers go into auto-hibernation when it rains. They carefully put their bikes under cover, and take their cars to work. Then they give the dedicated riders funny looks when we lane-split past them. Like they don't know whether to feel smug or guilty.

I quite like the wet weather. It has a strange nostalgic effect on me, reminds me of wearing an L plate and dodging trams - guess where I grew up?  And of putting newspapers down the front of one's jacket and plastic supermarket bags over one's socks, because no boot is ever waterproof after six hours of driving rain, no matter what you use to treat it.

What's also amusing is the reaction of non-bikers - ranging from incredulity at one's blatant stupidity to outright admiration. Don't you get cold? Aren't you afraid? Isn't it dangerous? Haven't you got a car? And so on and so on. All rather tedious.

Depending on who's asking, I vacillate between patient explanation, and bored sarcasm. Sometimes the tone of my voice is the only indicator. If you wear enough clothes, you don't get cold, no, I'm not afraid, at least no more than usual, no it's not dangerous, at least no more than usual, yes I have a car, but I choose to ride. Sometimes I go back to my favourites, see The Failings of Political Correctness, and Survival of the Sarcastic.

Meanwhile it takes 15 minutes to get dressed and 15 minutes to get undressed, no matter how far I'm travelling. You've got to be keen. 

Talk to Elle. 

Late Braking News