air quality: how is riding in the Bay Area today?

[dachshund]

It's awful smokey out today. Has anyone been out riding today? I'm over in Concord, and it's pretty stinky out. Can you breathe in this air today??

[maillotpois]

It's fine at home in Southern Marin. Not so great here at work in Oakland. SF seemed ok. San Jose was a little hazier, but not too bad. (Yes, I have been all freaking over the Bay today. :mad: ) I probably wouldn't ride in Concord, but that's the one place I HAVEN'T been today. . . :cool:

[Veronica]

I went to the gym to run on the treadmill instead of running outside this morning. It's still pretty nasty here in Antioch. I'm going to have to have a date with Coach Troy this afternoon.

V.

[dachshund]

It's fine at home in Southern Marin. Not so great here at work in Oakland. SF seemed ok. San Jose was a little hazier, but not too bad. (Yes, I have been all freaking over the Bay today. :mad: ) I probably wouldn't ride in Concord, but that's the one place I HAVEN'T been today. . . :cool:

Geez, did you organize your own private century today? :eek:
Anyway thanks for the report.
Amy

[five one]

I live in Morgan Hill and have not ridden outdoors with any regularity since all the fires began, due to the poor air quality:(. The Santa Cruz fires were over the hill (five or so miles as the crow flies), but the wind blew the smoke our direction. Ash was all over everything. The fires caused by lightning strikes near Gilroy this past weekend were smaller but much closer, near roads we normally ride on the weekends - the Hummingbird Fire in particular. We ride Watsonville and Day Roads all the time.

We decided to do a 40 miler anyway on Saturday heading north instead. Sometimes you just have to get out and ride regardless. It wasn't too bad. I would not have ridden, or would have turned around and gone home, if I'd had any problems breathing. We could see helicopters flying to the area reservoirs to scoop up water.

It's going to be a long fire season. Everything is sooooo dry.

Fire story (http://morganhilltimes.com/)

[joannofsonoma]

I live up in the Forestville near Sebastopol and rode today. It looked "smokey" but there was no scent and it did not seem to be a problem with riding. I have to say it was nice being out there as opposed to last week when we had temps in the high 90s................today it topped out at 75!!!:D:D

[jobob]

I rode in to work this morning (Union City to Redwood City, across the Dumbarton Bridge) and it wasn't bad at all. We'll see how it is going home though.

Last night I had my bedroom window open and I could smell the smoke - I was wondering if a fire had started up close to us. I guess it drifted over our way once the winds died down.

[maillotpois]

It seems to settle here in the valley in the morning and then it clears as the wind comes off the ocean.

[Veronica]

It's still nasty here! Been yucky all day!

V.

[xeney]

Here in Sacramento our mothers and babies group ride got canceled due to air quality in the orange zone -- they are advising that kids just stay indoors today, so that is what we did. It's been a long day (and the weather is otherwise beautiful) but every time I step outside my eyes burn and my throat stings.

[dachshund]

It wasn't as bad when I got home. I had an "assigment" to try some pedals I borrowed from the LBS, so I just tooled around for a while and went home. This is the worst the air has been without an obvious grass fire nearby.

[RolliePollie]

It is AWFUL here in Placerville right now. I would say visibility is easily less than a half mile. We are officially in unhealthy conditions with health advisories posted. It's even permeated the building here are work and we are all hacking and sneezing. I live about 15 miles above Placerville and it wasn't too bad this morning, but I would imagine it's moved its way up the hill by now. No riding around here today :(

[Veronica]

It doesn't smell as smoky here, but the sky is gray still from all the particulates.

I did another treadmill workout for my run today and I'll probably do Coach Troy again this afternoon.

I hope tomorrow is better. My schedule calls for a long ride and I really don't want to do a long video.

V.

[maillotpois]

It was definitely smoky in the morning - but not smelly, mostly just hazy. I rode, and it was ok. Went to San Rafael to get new tires (for my car :) ) and it was a lot smokier up there that it is down here. I think we get a lot more air movement from the ocean.

[crazycanuck]

IS there some type of forest fire up the area or is this how California air quality is in the summer? Seriously kids..i have no clue :confused:

[maillotpois]

There are something like 600 fires around the state right now. Many were caused by a freak lightning storm.

[snapdragen]

We can't see the mountains here in sillycon valley, the smoke has obscured them. This morning the sun was a huge orange-red ball, I was actually startled when I first saw it! :eek:

There's a slight wind tonight, so maybe some of the smoke will get blown away. I can feel the effects in my throat, it's scratchy.

[jobob]

I was thinking of riding my bike in to work today, but I opened the door and smelled the smoke in the air & decided it just wasn't hapenning. :p

Riding home last night was weird, heading towards the bridge I could barely see the East Bay hills.

[Veronica]

Yet another day of indoor training for me. Bleck! The sky here is still gray and smoky. Today is suppose to be a longish ride. Hours on the trainer are not nearly as exciting as hours outside. I was really looking forward to today too because I don't get to spend much time on the bike anymore.

Respiratory problems would be bad at this point though.

V.

[Trek420]

It's smoky, my throat is scratchy and eyes burn a little. I'm bummed. I wanted to ride to work a few days this week. :(

[five one]

South Bay - yesterday evening going south on 85, I couldn't see the hills until close to 101. Even then it was just the first ridge, nothing behind. No Mt. Hamilton. I could smell the smoke at home in Morgan Hill.

This morning in Saratoga, I can't see the hills that are *right there* from my office. There's a smoky haze everywhere and the air smells like campfire.

I'm hoping conditions will improve before the weekend. Until then, it's the trainer in the garage. Better than nothing, but still...

[michelem]

We just got back yesterday from a trip up the coast (Folsom to Mendocino to Eureka and north and back). We have about 1 mile visibility here in Folsom today. We drove from Folsom to Mendocino on Sunday and the smoke was thick through Lake County (Clear Lake area). It was still thick on our way back through yesterday, however, it continued all the way home. It was clear all the way up the coast (Hwy. 1 and 101).

This is scary. :eek: And sad. :(

[xeney]

Yeah, it's still smoky and awful in Sacramento, too. We are not riding this weekend. The scheduled moms and babies ride was postponed to July 3, and now I am not sure that one will happen, either, because they are predicting many more fires starting up this weekend due to lightning!

[Trek420]

they are predicting many more fires starting up this weekend due to lightning!

oy.:(

[maillotpois]

TNT made us cancel our Death Ride training ride today. All official TNT trainings (marathon, tri, Ironteam, cycle) are canceled this weekend.

We were going out of Tomales on the coast. I really think we would have been fine. :rolleyes:

[jobob]

Lee & I drove up I-5 Thursday afternoon, and it was smokey all the way up to Redding. It was especially bad in the Sacramento area, xeney you have my sympathies! We passed by a very large wildfire just to the west of Redding. We stayed overnight in Weed near Mt. Shasta, and the next morning it was fairly clear out so it looks like there weren't any fires much north of Redding.

We continued north and spent the morning at Craker Lake in southern OR, where the air was crystal-clear. (omg it is gorgeous there.)

[dachshund]

I noticed yesterday that it didn't smell smoky, although it's still really hazy. I can normally see Mount Diablo from my house, and today I can see a faint outline. That's better visibility than we've had for days. I hope this is a good sign.

I suppose I should just go to the gym today and play it smart. Keeping my fingers crossed for no more lightening.

[TahoeDirtGirl]

Don't bother going up to Lake Tahoe! I was going to fly home this wknd but was told that you can't see the lake. I have asthma so I just stayed on the east coast but then I am staying in here because of the humidity and pollen. Just can't win :(

[Trek420]

Still very hazy and gray. I'm just back from walking the doggeeeee, at least today my throat does not feel scratchy.

My thoughts are with any living in the fire effected area and for the fire fighters. Huge task. :(

[deedolce]

Got too antsy - so I rode about 37 miles today, taking it easy. I feel the effects now, stuff in my lungs, scratchy throat. I know, not smart, but I was going nuts. Of course, not too many on the roads, and the club race team ride that I passed was 1/2 the usual group... but there's a hint of blue in the sky, first time this week!

[Veronica]

We went to Guerneville yesterday so I could do the swim portion of my race. It was pretty nice there.

V.

[maillotpois]

Wow - they canceled the Western States 100 for the first time in 31 years. Wild.

Our ride yesterday would have been fine. It's okay on the coast. Oh well. I'll ride today.

[dachshund]

We started seeing blue sky over here on Saturday. Yay!

I'd be more happy if I didn't also come down with laryngitis on Saturday. :mad:
Think it has anything to do with the air last week?? My partner says no, but I feel some suspicion...

Has anyone else gotten a cold or congestion from the smoke?

My voice sounds a little like Wall-E. :(

[velogirl]

we rode to the coast yesterday and saw a bit of blue sky as well.

I noticed my riding partner had some post-nasal drip going on and he was a bit hoarse as well -- and he's never had it before. he lives in an area where the smoke is pretty dense so I'm speculating that it's related.

[nic840]

We just got back from camping in the mountains...between I-80 and 50 outside of Foresthill and it was wicked.

Thursday was bad, Friday a little better but would come in waves, Saturday was okay but not great...Sunday was the best. As we were driving home through the canyons it was amazing how it just got trapped in the valleys.

My 2.5 year old has developed a nice smokers cough...probably shouldn't of had her out there in it at all - but there was no escaping it no matter where you were.

Rode yesterday afternoon when I got home - much nicer than earlier in the week.
Sacramento is much better today with blue sky and light breeze.
Here is a picture from Friday afternoon....

[Trek420]

Rode to work today, just could not resist. It seemed foggy in the morning, now I'm seeing some blue unless I look towards the hills.

[nic840]

Tried to ride out of Auburn area today and it was ugly and smoky at 8am! It had cleared for a few days and now its nasty again.

Drove down to Folsom Lake to hopefully have the air get a little better. Did 30 miles on the trail and the smoke moved in by the time we were done. The AQI in Auburn/Colfax was over 200! Nasty.

Hope the air quality was better in the Bay.

[Veronica]

We rode up near Ione today. I wanted to see the run course for my tri next week. We rode a chunk of that. It amused me to be riding my "tri" bike on a fire trail. Then we rode the bike course from Rancho Seco out to Ione. Just as we turned around at Ione the smoke started coming in.

I hope it's gone next when I have my race. I figure I'm going to have to suck it up and train in it this week.

V.

[michelem]

Smoke came back to Folsom on Saturday mid-morning. It cleared a bit later in the day and overnight, only to come back this morning. I can even smell it in the house. :( It's supposed to get over 105 degrees this week again, so no trainer for me this week either (I'm not willing to crank down our a/c that far). Guess I'll focus on running and weights at the gym this week . . .

[dachshund]

The air around the East Bay was ugly yesterday, a brownish haze.

Blech - 100 degree temps this week.
Good week to stay inside and watch sports on tv.....

[maillotpois]

any idea how it might be in the Sierras? death ride's this weekend. :rolleyes:

[michelem]

EPA's AQI site: http://www.airnow.gov/

[JennyPi]

It's definitely going to get much more hazey out this week. I live on the peninsula so we don't get the worst of the haze, but I'm definitely noticing that there aren't clear blue skies out today. I feel for folks in the eastbay (and in other areas who have poorer air quality). On my way home from class this morning I could see the brown haze sitting on top of the eastbay. I'm not sure if I'll ride to work today. Today, the deciding factor isn't the air quality but the heat. When I ride to work during 90 degree heat, I can't stop sweating even well after my ride in an air conditioned building! It's a bit embarrassing :o

[roadie gal]

Up here in Truckee it's good in the morning, but seems to get bad in the afternoon. I rode on Rt 89 from Truckee to Alpine Meadows yesterday about 4pm. It was beautiful until I passed Squaw. Then it suddenly got terribly smoky. I had to turn around at Alpine because I couldn't breathe. North of Squaw it was good again. I guess the mountains just funnel the smoke down in places.

[maillotpois]

Roadie gal - I'm wondering if perhaps it is better higher up and the smoke settles lower down?

I can't find any data from the AQ board on the Sierras south of Tahoe. I guess we'll see when we get there. As someone with a history of pretty scary lung disorder, I'm a little nervous about the whole thing. Hoping higher elevations are better. Seems ok in Nevada.

[michelem]

Last night's news showed a view of South Shore. Couldn't even see the lake, the smoke was so thick.

[nic840]

Yeah I saw that on the news last night too! Ugly!

I think the only saving grace for the Death ride is that I don't think there are any fires in that immediate area. I think the reason Sac/Auburn/Tahoe area are so smoky is because of the Foresthill complex fires and another one near Blue Canyon/I-80. I don't think there are any major fires south of there.

If you are curious on some of the passes I would call stores in the area...for example call The Lake Alpine Lodge on Ebbetts Pass (209-753-6350) and Markleeville stores to see what its like in the area.

Good luck and I know today in Sacramento is UGLY! Already about 90 and smoky. Not riding today. AQI is supposed to be over 150.

[roadie gal]

Roadie gal - I'm wondering if perhaps it is better higher up and the smoke settles lower down?

I can't find any data from the AQ board on the Sierras south of Tahoe. I guess we'll see when we get there. As someone with a history of pretty scary lung disorder, I'm a little nervous about the whole thing. Hoping higher elevations are better. Seems ok in Nevada.

I haven't noticed that it's any better higher up. I've tried walking the dogs on some of the higher trails and it's still miserable. It's more a matter of which way the wind is blowing.

It was weird driving home from work last night. The air didn't smell of smoke at all, but the moon was a deep reddish orange. Creepy

[Veronica]

The sun is a big orange ball this morning. I'm suppose to do short brick repeats today. Between the heat and the air quality, I have little enthusiasm for that.

V.

[RolliePollie]

I'm in Pollock Pines...not exactly close to the Death Ride, but not too far away. It's been pretty good here in the mornings but gets really bad by the afternoon. Hopefully the Markleeville area is seeing the same trend. I agree that it might not be as bad over there because the smoke is coming from the Foresthill and Paradise areas and not from the South. It's breezy here this morning...blowing downhill towards the west...and so far the smoke isn't bad at all (well, it's not good...but much better than it has been).

[maillotpois]

Thanks, Rolliepollie! (My daughter is headed to camp outside Pollock Pines this weekend after Death Ride! :D ).

I've also got emails into 2 friends who live in NV and ride the area regularly and will be calling some local places, as suggested.

[nic840]

Today is by far one of the worst days so far. I was driving down from El Dorado Hills to Sacramento and visibility was at about 2-3 miles....ugh.
It smells wicked and it seems to be getting thicker as the day goes on.

Nothing like 106 and smokey. I talked to a friend in Minnesota (CA native) and I am usually bragging about it being 80 and sunny when its 35 and blizzard there...not today! Its 83 in MN an Beautiful...its her turn!

[maillotpois]

I took the motorcycle to work (Oakland), and had to go to Walnut Creek to have lunch with a friend. I swear once I went through the Caldecott tunnel headed east it was like I was riding on the surface of the sun! No fun at all. (It is so much cooler on this side of the Berkeley hills.) And smokier on that side as well.

[michelem]

Just got back from lunch break and feel sick. The smoke is getting thicker by the minute. I sat outside anyway because the air conditioning inside is so cold . . . nothing like thawing out in 100+ degree temps. But now my throat is sore, my eyes sting, and I'm feeling headachey and nauseous. Also, my clothes and hair smell like a campfire. UGH. Will this ever end??? :confused::confused::confused:

I do feel for those who are right in the line of fire, losing their homes and such. I really shouldn't feel so bad that all it's doing to me is making it so I can't ride and run outdoors. What a whiner I am. :rolleyes:

[Trek420]

I rode to work (Oakland), arrived a little breathless. I thought I'd be late but instead had enough time to sip coffee before starting work. But when I sat in the air conditioned building I had a cough, felt the dust on my lungs.

I'll take it real easy on the way home. Might not ride for a bit :(

[Veronica]

I did 3/4 of a brick in it - all the bike, not all of the run. I stopped because I was having some other issues. It is 107 degrees in my back yard, which is shaded.

The sky is not great, but I can't smell smoke when I go outside.

If it gets under 85 before dark, I'd like to go out and try for another run.

V.

[RolliePollie]

Thanks, Rolliepollie! (My daughter is headed to camp outside Pollock Pines this weekend after Death Ride! :D ).

I've also got emails into 2 friends who live in NV and ride the area regularly and will be calling some local places, as suggested.

I may have to eat my words. Now it's super smoky here...worse than I've ever seen. Hopefully it will clear out during the night.

Unfortunately I don't have AC of any kind so I rely on opening the windows at night to cool the house down. Not sure I'm going to be opening those windows tonight though! But...I shoudn't complain...at least I still have a house. Right now I'm making a "fire list" just in case there's a fire nearby this summer and we get evacuated. I might even throw a few things in boxes to be extra prepared.

-sara

[maillotpois]

Sara I know what you mean.

We're in prime fire territory and I made my husband get an extra backup drive to take to the office so we have our photos, etc if our house and computer go.

[roadie gal]

I agree with you guys, yesterday was among the worst so far. I heard that the Plumas fire complex flared back up yesterday. I'm sure that's what is sending us most of the smoke.

My heart goes out to anyone who's house is threatened.

[Trek420]

Right now I'm making a "fire list" just in case there's a fire nearby this summer and we get evacuated. I might even throw a few things in boxes to be extra prepared.

-sara

sara, be safe. I hope you don't have to evacuate. I keep a "go box" of important papers near the door. No fire danger here but does not hurt to be prepared for quakes, etc.

[dachshund]

We actually have a breeze out here tonight! And it's cool enough to have the windows open! I hope this is good news.. for everybody.

[Veronica]

It's still 93 degrees at my house.

Did you know that Mount Diablo State Park is closed because of fire danger?

V.

[maillotpois]

Downright chilly here.

But there's a smoke advisory in the Sierras, and apparently it is pretty bad in Nevada as well. :(

[crazycanuck]

You have some help from some lovely experienced Victorian firefighters coming your way!


Keep safe!

[jobob]

Victoria ... Australia?!?

Wow, that's a long trip to go fight a fire! Is there more to the story?

[Trek420]

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601081&sid=aO9txuj1H8vE&refer=australia

[crazycanuck]

I remember last year some US firefighters came down to help with the bushfires round Aust..

Most of the folks are trained in fighting fires in the high bushland/mountainous areas in Vic..

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/07/10/2300512.htm

[xeney]

Ugh. This has been an awful week. It was apparently much cooler than predicted in Sacramento yesterday (it was supposed to be 109 but never got to 100) but the smoke and humidity were so bad that you couldn't tell. We normally open our windows at night and in the morning, but we haven't done that in a week.

We are all sick with colds, and the baby is coughing a lot. I can't tell if it is the smoke or just the cold. Either way, we are keeping her inside and she is bored out of her mind. No bike rides around here ... the air hurts your eyes as soon as you step outside.

[michelem]

Yeah, it was only 102.4 here yesterday and today it looks like we're about 5-10 degrees cooler than this time yesterday, so at least it looks like we're getting some sort of relief. Still very hazy though. I started getting lightheaded and dizzy during my ballet class last night. UGH.

[RolliePollie]

Less smoky here in the foothills above Placerville tonight...and much cooler. I have all the windows wide open and my whole house fan is doing a great job pulling in the cool air. This morning the smoke was horrendous but it cleared pretty well during the day. The smoke smell actually woke me up in the night...and lately I haven't even been able to smell it since I think my nostrils are just used to it now. Luckily, for some strange reason the smoke doesn't seem to be bothering me too much (knock on wood) so I'm pretty determined to do a 40-ish mile ride tomorrow morning. I'm just praying the smoke doesn't pour back in tonight like it did last night.

[Bike Goddess]

Rollie Pollie- two of my very dearest friends live in Pollock Pines. I come up occasionally to visit and would LOVE to ride around the area. Where do you go when you are out for a 40ish mile ride?

We've got plenty of fog down here in the Bay Area, and I understand that the Butte County fire is finally winding down. However, I also just read that lightning is forecast again for that area this weekend. :(:(:(

Hopefully the Death Ride folks are okay. They start out pretty early (4:30-5:00AM) so at least some should be able to beat the heat.

[RolliePollie]

Rollie Pollie- two of my very dearest friends live in Pollock Pines. I come up occasionally to visit and would LOVE to ride around the area. Where do you go when you are out for a 40ish mile ride?



Oooh, I think you need to come visit your friends and go for a ride! :)

There are lots of great route options around this area, but my typical longer ride is to go all the way from Pollock down to Placerville and back. I stay on the back roads through Apple Hill as much as possible, which makes for a prettier ride with less traffic...and also adds quite a few miles and hills. Let me know if you're ever up here and maybe we can ride together! Or at least I can provide you more details, maps, water refilling spots, etc.

Here's a website with some good route info and maps:

http://www.beautifulvista.com/bike_rides_index.htm


Less smoke up here today...and much cooler too. I have a feeling the Death Riders may have lucked out. It's getting worse as the day progresses, but when I left for my ride about 7:30 this morning, it was better than it's been over the last few days. Visibility was hazy but you could actually see quite a ways.

[maillotpois]

we completely lucked out for death ride. friday we came down carson pass and you could see nothing - it was awful. saturday morning at the start, there were sstars - it stayed clear all day! (the hail, rain and lightning were somewhat disconcerting, but better than riding in smoke.)

and today it is hazy/smoky again. we lucked out.

[maillotpois]

driving through Redding now. It is AWFUL - worse than last week. hope it's better in the bay area.

[michelem]

It's baaack . . . UGH! Very smoky today. :(

[roadie gal]

Come on up to Tahoe. Our air is finally clear. I hope it lasts.

[Kano]

We aren't having dangerous air this year, which is terrific, but it's been remarkably hazy here for the last few weeks, and our "smoke" is courtesy of the Callifornia fires -- Thanks for sharing, ladies!

(Last year, DH started bike commuting to work, but then the air went bad due to fires around us, and heh wound up driving his car all summer instead. This year, he's even riding in the rare event of rain!)

Karen in Boise

[roadie gal]

Sheesh, we're socked in with smoke again. I think this summer is taking years off of my lungs.

[maillotpois]

Yeah we haven't had great air here all week. Finally a bit better. We went to Pollock Pines to get the kid from camp yesterday, and it was pretty smoky on the way. They're in a bit of a valley high up there by Desolation Wilderness, so they had decent air for camp.

[RolliePollie]

The smoke seems to be blowing to the east here today. Looking up towards the mountains in the Tahoe direction, it looks horrible. When I got up this morning, it smelled smoky, but I took off towards the west on my bike and it was almost perfectly clear just a few miles down the hill. By the time I got home, it was pretty much clear here in Pollock Pines too. This is definitely the summer of smoke. I noted on my calendar that the first really bad smoke day here was June 22, so it's already been over a month of bad air quality. I'm probably going to end up with emphysema from riding in it.