riding into the heat of july

[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.

[Crankin]

Finished up our trip with a 16 mile ride that was the opposite direction of the 21 mile route we had done Friday, with a bit removed. Mostly flat, until the last 5 miles, which is a set of rollers.
Cleaned up in the powder room at the inn , as we had already checked out and drove straight home.
All in all, a good trip, and we were able to be flexible with the rides because of the heat. We did miss out on doing the one other traditional long 45 mile ride we usually do, but there's always the next time.
Our friends are moving to Amherst in 2 weeks, which is also in western MA, but not in the Berkshires. My older son went to school there, so we are very familiar with the area, but have only ridden there once. It's also very hilly, so we are looking forward to doing some riding in new places, as it's only a little over an hour from here.

[emily_in_nc]

We did a grocery ride this morning mostly on the Lake Wobegon Trail, just a short 17.3 mile round trip. The nicest part was that we had a decent tailwind on the way back with the groceries, plus it's ever so slightly downhill from Sauk Centre to Melrose, so we were flying!

Tomorrow we're riding east to St. Joseph and back, which will be over 50 miles, and uphill (slight) and into a headwind on the way back. Unfortunate, but it's our last day here, so it's now or never! We have a few stops planned as there's a good bakery on the way, a Little Free Library (I have a couple books to donate), and a DQ. We will not starve. Looks like a pretty day with a low of 58 in the am and high of 86, so we'll have a wide range. I doubt we'll get going before it hits 70, though.

[emily_in_nc]

Finished the Lake Wobegon Trail today -- a lovely day, though a bit windier than predicted. The entire way back we rode with a fully-loaded solo tourist who was going across the US east to west. He started in Mass. He was really strong, especially considering how much weight he was carrying on a heavy bike. He drafted behind us for 26 miles and was very interesting to talk to.

Ended up with 58.7 miles total, my longest ride of the year. Yay!