July riding

[marni]

by dint of an early start I got in 38 miles today before the heat hit the triple digits. To further enliven the day, I encountered 5 dogs, four of who were loose with their owners and gave me no problem. The fifth was on a leash but his owner let him run to the end of his leash and across the line in the middle of the road to lunge at me. Then a bit further on, just as I was contemplating a rest pause, I hit a herd of cattle being moved up the road and spent a brief period watching the lead cutting horse lunge back and forth across the road and into the ditches to chase down resistant laggards. It was a lovely interlude as I grew up in cattle country and used to ride a cutting horse. All in all a lovely 40 miles in spite of the heat humidity and headwinds.

[azfiddle]

So far this week- just one commute to work. Fine in the morning but it was pretty hot riding home. Only mid-90's but humid with a storm on the horizon.

The DH brought me to work and I planned to ride home, but the bag with helmet, shoes etc was on the kitchen floor. Guess he'll be picking me up later today.

[Crankin]

Led another ride today, with my friend, Jack. We are trying to get a Friday morning series going again. Only 2 people came today and one had to leave after half a mile, as her disc brakes were rubbing and Jack had no experience fixing them. We were still pretty close to the bike shop, near our start, so she went back. It is less humid today, but still hotter than I like for riding. We did the same ride as last time I led this, and it's mostly shady, but I felt horrible near the end. I really wanted to ride to the ride, but I knew I might feel crappy at the end, and didn't want to torture myself with 8.5 hot and unshaded miles riding home, so I drove there. Good choice. The one woman peeled off near the end, so Jack and I went to lunch and split a sandwich, and then I rode the last half mile to my car and he went to play pool at the Bedford Council on Aging.
30.1 miles, some good climbs. Next time, I do this, though I am planning the route.