June Riding

[Pax]

Planning an oh-so-exciting trainer ride today...wheeeeee!

Set a fan to blow in your face, smear some sunscreen on your upper lip, and pretend you're riding at the beach!

[Crankin]

Did the same ride as last Friday; only 3 showed up and they all rode the same speed, so I had no excuse to be slower as the sweep.
Not a good ride for me, but I stuck it out. Don't ever eat beans and home made salsa for breakfast before a ride. I knew I shouldn't, but...
I was in pain for a good part of the ride and felt just out of it on my way home in the car. But the people enjoyed it.
Exhausted.

[Crankin]

Another exhausting ride, mostly because it was 84 degrees. But, no rain, thunder, or lightning. This is good!
We had a large group of over 20 people for the "faster" group on the 30 mile ride. DH and I had agreed that due to the hotter temperatures, we would keep the speed at around 13-14 average. That lasted until we got to the rest stop, about halfway through the ride. A couple of riders stopped and waited for the slower paced group to pick them up. As soon as we left the rest stop, one woman told me she was losing it. I stayed with her as the sweep, but the rest of the group was gone. I was still at the upper end of the agreed upon speed (13.8 average), and feeling pretty tired myself. This woman was getting slower and slower, so finally, about 7 miles from the end, she decided to wait for the other group.
I rode the last 7 miles by myself, almost just going straight home, as i was a mile from my house. But, I made back to Verrill Farm and I was pissed. My DH said they had a tailwind and the riders were on his azz. Yeah, his average was a mile faster than mine. I followed our plan and even got back 5 minutes before our estimated time. Usually, I have 5-6 riders at the back with me, but this year, we had a very different group, and I didn't know any of them. So, we raced home in the car, and showered, and returned for the happy hour and dinner. Food was good, and then DH and I went out for ice cream... we were home at 6:30 and DH is now sleeping on the couch.
I am not slow enough for the slower group, so I think this speaks to the lack of riding I have done so far this year and the heat. I might take a slow recovery ride early tomorrow, as it's going to be 92 later in the day. My car is in the shop, but I am going to commute to work Monday.

[north woods gal]

Yeah, watch the heat, at least until you get acclimated to it. I was out, yesterday, working on the trails, doing some heavy labor - digging and fitting some plank bridges over muddy spots. Temp was 89, which is way above normal for us this time of year. Started getting dizzy from lack of water. Barely made it the short walk back to the house. Hubby sat me down and made me drink lots of water. Was better in no time. Should have known, better, but I figured I wasn't that far from the house ...

Head out on the fat bike, this morning, with a temp in the 70s and no problem at all as far as my conditioning. 70s work for me. Need to ease into the upper 80s. Just beat some serious storms. Glad I got out for an early ride.

[Crankin]

Up to about 75 no problem for me. Above that, if it's blazing sun, but dry out, OK, Add in humidity, above 75, not good. Problem is, in New England, it's hard to acclimate, as you can have days with highs around 60-65 and then a day of 85. We usually never have more than 3-4 days in a row of high 80s or 90s.
We did go for a ride to eat breakfast, a whopping 8.1 miles round trip. We ate at a place popular with cyclists, and it was overrun! It was early and everyone was out to beat the heat. I will be glad when the end of July comes and all the PMC riders are not training on the roads around where I live.
After showering and reading the paper, we headed into Boston, where we walked the Greenway, the waterfront, and into the North End. It was definitely hot and humid, but we tried to stay in the shade and when we couldn't stand it any longer, we ducked into a small and quiet trattoria/bar in the North End, on a side street, far away from tourists. Had a glass of rosé and shared an appetizer, before walking back to the car. So, a few more calories burned.
Now safely in my air conditioned home and tired. Preparing for at least one, maybe 3 car free days.

[Catrin]

It's hard acclimating to higher temps/humidity, but there is an odd pleasure with that as well when it is all working and our bodies have had a chance to acclimate to the higher temps. Of course, it gets much hotter in Indiana than in New England. Frankly, your temps sound delightful! Be careful and enjoy!

We're in the 90's this week, which we haven't seen since Sept 2015 (summer of 2016 was MUCH cooler than normal for us).

[Crankin]

Rode to the gym at 5:25 and it was already 70 degrees, but felt delightful.
Of course, now I am getting ready to leave to ride to work, and it should be in the high 70s in 45 minutes, and OK (the route I take there is shady), but probably still 90 when I leave at 6 PM. I take a more direct route home, which is less shaded and more heat from cars. Of course, I can stand anything for 2.3 miles.
Best thing, my Terry cycling dress fits perfectly and looks very stylish. I hope they make this in other colors/patterns. Perfectly acceptable for a hot day at work and for going out at night on my trip to Spain.