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

[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!

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.

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. 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.

[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!