September riding

[north woods gal]

Abnormally warm weather, this last week, with highs into the upper 80s and very humid. That's what we get for a maximum at the peak of our summer, but here it is heading into the last of September. Have to say, though, that I've enjoyed it. Gotten a lot of work done on our trails, followed up each day with a heavy dose of trail riding. Yup, get back to the house soaking wet with sweat, but I'm not complaining. We're heading back down, now, to our more normal highs in the 50s and low 60s, but nice to have had a last taste of summer while it lasted. Winter will be here soon enough.

Every year, at this time, as winter approaches, I do think about spending the winter in a southern state where I can ride without snow, but just don't know if I can handle all the crowds that have the same thing in mind. Kind of spoiled being able to ride in my woods, every day, with just me and the woods for company.

[emily_in_nc]

Every year, at this time, as winter approaches, I do think about spending the winter in a southern state where I can ride without snow, but just don't know if I can handle all the crowds that have the same thing in mind. Kind of spoiled being able to ride in my woods, every day, with just me and the woods for company.

It's the truth about the crowds! Of course, we find Florida to be way too crowded even now, and it will only get worse as the snowbirds descend. (Since we got here in August this year, I get to say that... ) Arizona is similar, and when we spent January in North Padre Island, TX a few years ago, I got to learn all about "Winter Texans". But I get it...I don't want to be anywhere cold during the winter, having spent the last seven or so in places like Belize, Mexico, and Florida!

We're still having hot (upper 80s to low 90s) and humid weather here in central Florida, of course, but I'm used to it by now, and it's nice to know that the trend is in the right direction, even though the change in season is infinitesimally gradual. It definitely doesn't feel like fall yet!

30 miles on the bike path today. They've done a great job of clearing up hurricane debris, although there's still a long way to go along the sides of the trail, but at least the path itself is clear!

[Crankin]

Just got back from a group ride that was so horribly hot and humid, it was making me feel weird. I get a certain feeling when it's really hot and I had it almost the whole ride. My mistake was volunteering to be a human arrow, at about mile 2. When my turn was done, I never made it back to the front. I did end up riding with a small group, but I also was alone a lot of the time. There was one point, where we were within 1/4 of a mile of my house and I almost went home. But, I knew I would have to ride the 10+ miles back to the start for my car, so I dug in. We went up a very steep hill just about then, and I was really getting overheated when we turned on a flattish road and I was able to tuck in behind a guy and draft him up to the point where we were getting close to the rest stop in Concord center. By then, a lot of others were fading. When we stopped, I finished my bottle of Scratch, ate a Shot Block, and dumped some cold water down my jersey. It was 7-8 miles back to Great Brook Farm, with one climb right at the outset. I actually dropped a few here, but I was done!
As we turned on to the road the park is on, I realized the front group was right in front of me, so I finished with them. I checked my average when we got back, and sure enough, it was faster than this group usually does. Not faster than I ride, when I am with DH, but I felt pressure to move it. A group had also done a mountain bike ride at the park, and they were done when we got back. I had brought my lunch to eat there, as did a few others. On my drive home, the temperature on my car said it was 90 degrees for most of the way home, dropping to 88. It's clouding up now, thankfully, fall will resume tomorrow night.
32 miles. I am done with summer!

[emily_in_nc]

Amazing about those temps there, Crankin! We have been 93-94 the past few days for highs, which is horrible, but this is Florida, not New England!

Yesterday I had my fastest average for our usual West Orange Trail ride all year, so I know the change in tires (from Schwalbe Marathon Plus, super heavy-duty) to Conti Gatorskins, plus lighter tubes, is helping. 14.1 mph, which is still "slow" by my old standards, but given the urban nature of this ride, many road crossings, slow campground roads at the beginning and end, I will take it! It's hard to imagine averaging 15-17 mph, as I used to in my peak cycling years of 2003-2005, but I was a lot younger then too! I felt pretty good despite the heat and humidity, so I guess I'm pretty acclimated to this climate now. 31.6 miles.

[Crankin]

Emily, I wish we could ride together.... I still have a few rides a year with a 15-16 average, but since I live in a hilly area, it's not too often. For me, it's a little bit age and chronic health stuff, but mostly this year, my back. I finally looked at my total mileage the other day, and I just haven't been riding enough. I've been on a roll for the past month, but with cooler weather coming, I know I won't be riding as much during the week. I usually ride into December, on a regular basis, but I love to hike in the fall, and that always takes over.

[emily_in_nc]

Emily, I wish we could ride together.... I still have a few rides a year with a 15-16 average, but since I live in a hilly area, it's not too often. For me, it's a little bit age and chronic health stuff, but mostly this year, my back. I finally looked at my total mileage the other day, and I just haven't been riding enough. I've been on a roll for the past month, but with cooler weather coming, I know I won't be riding as much during the week. I usually ride into December, on a regular basis, but I love to hike in the fall, and that always takes over.

Sounds like you're doing very well, despite any health issues! I can't even remember the last time I averaged over 15 mph, even in ideal conditions. I think if I had a lighter bike I could be a little faster, of course, but I've finally gotten my Trek Pilot dialed in with lower gearing, saddle that works for me, stem extension (I need my bars higher than my saddle for my back issues), so even though it's not as light as the newer models, it fits me well, and a new bike just isn't in the budget right now.

It's definitely a lot easier to rack up the miles being in Florida most of the year than in New England, though I am way behind where I would have been had I not broken my jaw -- that cost me 3.5 months of riding. I went over 2300 miles on the year this week.

Today's ride was tougher; we went west into hillier Lake County, and I had a terrible night of sleep last night. Plus we had head winds on the way back and the temps hit 93 on that return leg. Ugh. I was having visions of cold, icy drinks instead of the very warm water I had to drink and slogged out the miles with a 13.9 mph average for 35 miles. Ready for cooler weather!

[Crankin]

Wind can be as bad as hills.