The heat of the morning should be quelled by some light rains scattered throughout the day, keeping temperatures right around 80 and the air cool. The waves are breaking smoothly about 15-20 yards off shore as of time of writing, perfectly formed for boogie boarders of any age, but expect the sea to get a little bit rougher by day's end.
With the upcoming showers, one group who aren't deterred at all is the team down at Pura Vida Ride. I had the opportunity to sit down with some of their most experienced bikers recently to talk about rainy riding and how it changes the trails at Las Catalinas.
The first thing to know about riding in the rain is that, especially as we reach the warmest part of the year, it can actually be more enjoyable than a sunny ride. The shade helps cut out the heat, and the light cool rains feel excellent on the skin as you zip down the trails. Also, the rain actually has a positive effect on trail conditions, at least up to a certain point. With a dry trail, rocks and small stones are loosened up, making the conditions more unpredictable, but a solid rainfall can help pack the trails for a smoother ride.
Of course, there is a point at which the rains can turn conditions for the worse. With heavy enough rainfall, the trails become muddy, leading to slower rides and much harder conditions for pedaling. All of the bike paths in Las Catalinas are designed to be able to be ridden in both directions, but a few routes become difficult to ride in wetter conditions. Loop, towards the point by Playa Dantita, and Secreto, towards the back end of the hills, are both known for being tricky when conditions get particularly muddy. Also, it’s important to be aware that torrential rain, heavy wind, and lightning make riding dangerous -- even the pros stay indoors when conditions are that bad.
Still, most mountain bikers believe that riding in the rains of Guanacaste is one of the most enjoyable things to do around town. Cool breezes, a lush and green forest, the misty air, and splashing through puddles and small rivers makes for an excellent ride.
Check out this video, taken by the Pura Vida Ride team during one of our rainy afternoons, and see for yourself!
https://youtu.be/LVo-lU0l74w
Thanks to Ben and Tony at Pura Vida Ride for the video!