riding into the heat of july

[ny biker]

I remember the Norman Rockwell museum from a visit many years ago.

I did my weekly hill ride on Wednesday after work. It was hot but the least hot day in a string of 90+ days with hotter more humid days about to hit. And starting around 7 pm means I don't have to deal with the sun, so overall it wasn't bad. The ride was uneventful except I was trying to listen to a baseball game on my phone (the summer college league where my nephew is an intern) and they were having technical problems so I had to keep stopping to refresh the page.

Planning now for a ride on Sunday with very hot weather expected and not many shady trees along the route. Starting early, bringing extra water and will plan to be proactive and stop a few times when we do encounter some shade rather than waiting until the heat gets to me but there's no shade in sight.

[north woods gal]

Hottest day of the year, so far, at 90 degrees. This is typically a once or twice temp for us during the summer and some summers we don't make it to 90, at all. Still, with the humidity, I decided to play it safe and go back into the deep, dark woods for some mountain biking, rather than be out in the hot sun on the pavement. Not the greatest strategy, though, given the way it's all uphill and downhill in my MTB area. Even after drinking plenty fluids, I was getting a bit light headed, so called it quits, early, and rode back home. Might have been better to ride one of my more level road bike loops. Oh, well.

[Crankin]

The museum was excellent. This was the third time I've been there, once to this site and once when it was in downtown Stockbridge. The grounds are exquisite.

[Crankin]

Ok, I completed the entire 41 mile ride today, despite including a 2 mile climb up Lenox Mountain (it's not that bad if you are goi g between 5 and 9 mph). And despite waking up with what may be a UTI or just a yeast infection, plus a stomach that is not quite right, either (too much of a black bean burger). Anyway, this ride is hilly the whole way, with about 2,500 ft of climbing. The first half, including the climb is shady and it was't too hot. It's less humid today. Had a nice lunch in Stockbridge, but with 15 miles to go, it was about 90 out and very little shade. DH was tired, too, so we rode as fast as we could back to the inn. More climbing that I always forget!
Sat by the pool to recover and now heading out to CVS to see if I can make myself feel better. Then later off to Lenox for good food.
We may not ride tomorrow. Will see in the AM.

[Catrin]

41 miles in this heat? I think you did great! Hope your stomach improves quickly!

[Crankin]

Thanks, Catrin. The lack of humidity helped. I drank 2 bottles of Skratch, a little water, plus some lemon carbonated water at lunch.
I could not have done this yesterday, it was hotter, with high humidity.

[Catrin]

Thanks, Catrin. The lack of humidity helped. I drank 2 bottles of Skratch, a little water, plus some lemon carbonated water at lunch.
I could not have done this yesterday, it was hotter, with high humidity.

I hope our humidity isn't headed your way - it's been horrible here. Good you got the long ride in today in case it comes tomorrow.

[emily_in_nc]

Yes, 41 miles in this heat is excellent, Crankin! Hope you are feeling much better.

We did 35 on the Lake Wobegon Trail yesterday in the 90-degree heat. We needed to do laundry in the morning so didn't get out until after lunch -- ouch. We pretty much had the trail to ourselves, just a couple single riders and one poor guy hiking in the blazing sun and heat. Ouch!

It's a very pretty trail we'd done a little of, before we had to turn back due to rain, in 2014 when we visited Minnesota. Now we'll hopefully get to do the entire thing before leaving this spot. I must say it's nice to ride in flatter country again after Missouri and Iowa hills!

[north woods gal]

Now that is flat! Send some my way.

Not that hot, today - just low 80s - but the humidity was over 70 percent. Hard to even breathe. Once, again, headed back into the woods to get out of the sun, but I really do need to get some serious road bike work going. My monthly miles tally is way off with all the mountain biking, but, hey, I am having fun and that's what counts.