September rides, bringing in the fall.

[emily_in_nc]

We debated going out today as it was predicted to be quite stormy, but from the radar, we thought we'd be okay and could cut our usual loop short if it started looking bad. Ended up turning around a little early and getting in 27.5 vs the usual 35 miles. No biggie. It actually didn't rain until we'd been home long enough that we could have done our full ride, but better safe than sorry, especially since DH had just lubed his chain and didn't want to get it wet. Very hot and humid still, and with a stiff east breeze, which gave us an excellent tailwind on the way back. Tropical Storm Gordon is well south of us but is bringing in some very unsettled weather even up here in the Orlando area.

[north woods gal]

Well, here I am in the Clearwater Beach area in Florida, which is actually a narrow key island. The tropical storm missed us, but the weather is the usual rain after 2pm every day. I rented the usual comfort/hybrid, this morning and managed only 6 miles before I could fell the heat and humidity and the heavy, dense tropical air getting the best of me. Will try to do more, tommorow and ride, earlier, but this isn't my first Florida visit, so no surprise about needing to go slow and acclimate to this very different climate.

All paved riding and pretty featureless and bland. Everything is in a nice straight line and the only hills are the big steep bridges over the waterways. Nice to have the ocean on both sides, though. That's pretty cool.

[emily_in_nc]

NWG, enjoy your time in Florida. As you know, where I am, we have more lovely large trees and actual hills to boot, so the cycling is a little more interesting, though I wouldn't mind an ocean view! We have lakes, but no oceans. Same heat and humidity, though. I'm acclimated to it, but it takes awhile to get your body used to it, so take it easy and don't overdo.

Really glad TS Gordon didn't prove to be a problem on the west coast of Florida and hope all other storms will stay away from our state. This is my least favorite time of year here, as you have to be on your toes, always watching for that next approaching storm.

[north woods gal]

Thanks, Emily. I managed 12 miles, today, in the 87 degree heat and crazy humidity, but was extra careful to drink as much water as I could stand. I think that helped. I was goings nuts, though to climb a hill, so I rode over the nearest tall bridge and back. We have no hills so long or steep in our area, so a really nice workout. The old clunker 21 speed hybrid I'm renting was bottomed out, but we made it. Had to be extra careful going downhill, though. That old bike started to shimmy at about 28 mph and those old rim brakes didn't inspire confidence, so backed off the speed and worked the brakes, carefully. Beautiful view from the top of the bridge, though.

All kinds of bikes and bikers, here. Not happy to see so many without helmets, though. The good news is that all the main roads have nice and wide marked bike lanes.

[Crankin]

Personally, I have found that the further south you go, the less you see helmets, especially in areas with a large "retirement" population.
I rode 21.5 miles this morning. It is just slightly less humid and hot than yesterday, probably about 80-83 while I rode. I was delayed a bit by having to deal with one of my young adult clients who has fallen apart. Oy, always on my day off.
I rode 5 miles, up a street that's a series of hills, which are not steep, but keep coming, with some nice breaks, across the highway, and down a hill to the bike trail. It is really shady and was a good choice for today. It was quiet, too. Probably rode about 9 miles on the trail; I didn't go as far as I usually do, as I didn't want to do an out and back, as I am a little sick of riding home on the road I climbed to get to the trail. I stopped at the point where the new part of the trail ends and turned onto a lovely super shady road in the town of Carlisle. From there, I accessed the main road into Concord Center, which is pretty flat. Made it through the center, despite some ugly road construction and then scooted around West Concord center, by doing the reroute I do when I commute. The last 4 miles were not so shady, but it didn't feel half as bad as Monday's ride.
Tomorrow is the peak of our heatwave, with a real feel of 105 predicted. Although I may ride early AM (like 5), I will be safely inside my office. After that, looks like beautiful, typical New England, crisp, cooler (50's-70's) for a long stretch. And, my horrible allergy thing is finally gone, after 2 weeks.

[emily_in_nc]

Yeah, re. helmets, we see a lot of folks without them (even younger guys wearing fancy kits and riding road bikes much higher-end than mine) here, and of course lots of casual cyclists on hybrids and various other comfort bikes with unprotected heads, even occasionally a kid without one, which I hate and always feel like calling the parents out on (but don't). Riding on the paved trail, I guess they feel invincible, but I'd still rather be protected, as there are plenty of road crossings, and occasional close calls with other cyclists coming around curves.

Did our usual 35-miler today and felt better than I have in awhile. Favorable wind direction, so I actually averaged 14, rare for me, given the number of stops and starts and in-town riding at the beginning an end of each ride. Even though it was in the 80s with humidity, the sunshine was a bit hazier, and the sun angle is noticeably more acute than even a month ago, so it doesn't feel quite as bad. Not that I'm not completely drenched during the ride, as I am, but I just don't feel so horrible!

[north woods gal]

I'm with you, Emily, on not pushing others to do the smart thing and wear a helmet, though when it's with people I know, I do stop and try to convince them. Have even offered to give a helmet, free of charge, to a couple of neighbors, but to no avail. Go figure.

Did better in the 90 degree heat and humidity, today, with 17 miles. I really could have done more with a better fitting bike. The junker I rented has a horrible, skinny guy saddle with only room for one cheek at a time for full support. Yuk! The handlebars are high rise bars that make me feel like I'm riding a Harley chopper. The old 21 speed gearing and twist shift are fine, though. After all, I ride single speeds a lot. Oh, well. That's par for the course renting a bike in a tourist area.

While taking a water break on a local park bench, I met a wonderful senior. He asked if he could join me on the bench, because it was his regular rest stop on his daily 3 mile walk. The guy looked in great shape. He then told me had just celebrated his 89th birthday. Couldn't believe it. Wow! Made my day.

I really think I could adapt to this and climate, given enough time. Lovely area, for sure, though I'm sure living here would be way out of our budget.