August 1 ride reports - Is it Aug already?

[DrBee]

August has snuck up once again.

I went on another relatively short ride this AM - 16.5 miles. Why is it that the wind feels so much stronger than the flags make it look? A skunk apparently was startled in a nearby field - that smelled lovely. At least there was some wind to blow it away! One of my friends/coworkers almost pulled in front of me - he stopped and smiled. That was fun.

Have a glorious day!

[GLC1968]

I was not looking forward to this morning's ride as I was dead tired when I woke up. Unfortunately, (or fortunately?!) I had no other way to get in to work as I'd left my car there for yesterday evening's commute!

It was extremely humid and already 80 degrees by 6:30 am, but the ride was enjoyable anyway. No jerk drivers for once! I did come to the realization that I do need to invest in a front light...it's just a tad too dark when I start out for true safety without it.

14 mile ride, avg 14.8 mph...defintely a slower start to my morning!

Happy August, everyone!

[Geonz]

Rabbit rabbit, sure is!

I had to take Springfield - an even busier road than I usually take. Construction blocked my route (I suspect it was just for 10-15 minutes at a critical point) and I was already late so I couldn't try the side roads. I did not see a *single* bicycle along the way which gave me even more pause (they all got run over already? Hope they were just all on the other roads), but it was still early enough so there was never a lot of traffic going in *both* directions. (It's a busy, pretty narrow road.) Also helps that it's even between summer sessions at the U, I think... EVERYBODY is on vacation or at least sleeping in except those of us ... oh, and all those construction workers but they're already working! (It does make sense to tear up the roads when there's minimal traffic...)

It's pretty warm already and oging into the 90's... but it's still not horrible compared to other places.

[Tater]

Another nice cool morning at fifty-eight degrees. Ended up wearing the day-glo yellow wind breaker, not just because of the slight breeze, but because I need to get another tail light! At least I was a bit more visible this morning.

Nice cager report for the day: signal is green, I am still a few hundred feet from the intersection and can see in my mirror that a car coming up behind me is signaling to turn right. I slow down, anticipating the car turning in front of me after they pass. Well, the car stops and waits for me to clear before turning. As I passed, I waved to the driver for being mindful of things other than cars around him.

[tulip]

While I don't mind riding when it's 100F and 90% humidity (really, I don't, I just don't go fast), I don't like combining all that with novacaine (sp), and this morning's dentist appointment definitely was heavy on the novacaine.

Tomorrow, however, I'll ride slow and drink plenty of water.

[Kimmyt]

I managed to do my bike commute this morning, only the second time I've done it since I started my new job. I've started getting a lift into The Boy's work with him, throwing my bike in the bed of his truck. It makes the commute a much more manageable 8 miles, instead of 18. Plus on the way home from work I can hit the rock gym and meet my friends there, so it just makes sense. It felt wonderful to ride this morning, the temp was warm enough to make me sweaty, but it was so nice to be by myself on the road and trail for once, since lately I've been doing a lot of larger group rides.

Once in awhile I just need some me-time, and it felt lovely to have it this morning.!