Tag Archives: Weather

Checking the Weather Before You Leave

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When you drive to work, unless the weather is seriously severe, you can usually get away with not checking it. After all, you’ll have the benefit of being able to control the conditions within the confines of your car. If the temperature outside is cold… you can turn up the heat. If it’s hot out, you can blast cool air until you’ve cooled down. That is, unless your AC is busted, or the fans don’t work anymore. Even then, you’ll be out of the wind. Unless you’re missing a windshield, or your side windows are stuck down. But if your AC is busted, and the fans don’t work, the windshield is busted and the side windows are stuck down, what are you doing driving that piece of frell to begin with?!

On the other hand, those of us who choose alternate forms of transportation can benefit from checking the weather. In fact, if we don’t make it a normal part of our daily routine, then there’s a chance we’ll pay dearly for it. Or at least pay a little bit, anyway. Over the summer, I’ve fallen out of the habit of checking, since pretty much every day was warm enough not to have to worry about it. On those days it rained, it was pretty obvious from looking out the window and I adjusted accordingly. I was lucky in that there were very few days with dry morning rides and wet evening rides. However, I can’t rely on mornings being warm any more.

Take this morning, for example.

I donned my normal riding clothes… that is to say, those clothes that are normal for me on warm days, stepped into the garage and opened the door. I noted that it was a touch on the chilly side, but I didn’t sweat it too much. I figured I’d be chilly at the beginning, but warm into the ride the closer I got to work. That, strictly speaking, was true. I did warm into it, and went from outright cold, to uncomfortably cold. What felt chilly standing in my garage out of the wind, turned into downright cold once I got going.

But did I turn around immediately and get warmer clothes?

No. Of course not! That would have meant… well… turning around! Turning around means admitting defeat, and I was not going to admit defeat. No way. So, as the temperature hovered around a downright chilly 45°F or so, with my speed pushing the wind chill down into the 30′s (and even the 20′s if that chart is to be believed), I bravely pedaled on in my shorts, sleeveless workout jersey, and thin (but long fingered) gloves.

I saw two others out this morning. Both were bundled up as if facing an arctic morning. Quite the contrast to my free and easy summer gear. “Silly people… I bet they’re hot and sweaty in all that” I thought, shivering to myself.

Looking now at the weather, tomorrow morning appears to be much the same as today. Mid 40′s in the morning, mid 70′s in the afternoon. Maybe I’ll consider wearing something more appropriate tomorrow.

Perception of Temperature is Relative

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We’re approaching that awkward time again. You know, when it’s cold in the morning, but perfect in the afternoon…

49°F at departure this morning.

I distinctly remember moments last February and March when a 49°F morning would have been a welcome relief from the below freezing temperatures. 49 sounded warm. Not quite toasty, but definitely warm. It meant not having to bundle up in layer upon layer just to keep the air from freezing my breath. It meant being able to wear just my helmet without worrying about my ears. It meant not having to worry about my toes or fingers. It meant being able to put on the standard cycling gear and just riding.

This morning, 49°F felt cold. And it was cold compared to the mid 70′s we’ve had in the afternoons. I wore my trusty windbreaker and long fingered BG Gel gloves. I was a touch warm up top, but only barely, and my fingers were chilly. Everything else warmed up fine once I got moving.

I’ve been able to ignore the weather for the last few months. That luxury is coming to an end as dressing for the temperature becomes a necessity once again.

Glorious Rain, or… My Eyes Are On Fire!

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Kansas City woke this morning to a good and steady rain. Since the latest incident, I’ve had trouble sleeping, on account of being unable to find a really comfortable position that doesn’t involve pain of one sort or another. Combine that with a dog that wouldn’t stop whining from about 4:00 on, and I awoke rather grumpy. However, seeing that I’d have the opportunity to ride to work in the rain went a long way towards cheering me up.

My clothes being already at work, and the bike being all packed up, all I had to do was get dressed, grab a towel (for to dry off with at work), and ride. Since I got a late start (as has been the trend lately), there was more traffic than I normally see. The downside is that I have to worry a little more about cars seeing me, a possibility enhanced by the rain, which in turn tends to exacerbate the stupidity of most drivers. The upside is that with more traffic, the chances of being stuck at a stubborn red light are greatly reduced. There will always be a car there to trip the switch for me.

It was a wonderfully relaxed ride in. I took it slow and easy, both to enjoy the rain, and because I had to. See, my shoulder and hip are still protesting nearly every movement, and it’s only the knowledge that keeping them in motion will keep them from stiffening up teenage boy in the back seat on prom night. There were a few times where my speed topped 25mph, but only b/c I was going downhill. Those were the least pleasant moments, because the rain slapping my face actually stung.

Everything was going well. I was targeting puddles and just enjoying myself when suddenly, around mile 5 of 8, my eyes started burning. Badly. The only cause I can come up with is that rainwater was running through the pads of my helmet and picking up a summer’s worth of sweat and grime, and depositing it in directly in my eyes. It kinda sucked, actually, having to blink away both the rain and the burn.

Still, all in all, and all things considered, it was still a fantastic ride through the rain. I wonder if his brief foray into my world persists through today…

Seasons Change

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I didn’t ride at all last week. I spent the majority of the work week in Omaha, and neither Sunday nor Saturday saw any saddle time. I did ride the previous Saturday, and again yesterday, but for the entire first week of September, I rode zero miles.

So imagine how drastic the temperature change was to me, when the last time I rode home from work it was nearly 70°F in the morning, and over 90°F in the evening! Today it was 62°F at departure, grey and drizzly. All in all, a rather dismal day.

I was going to take the long way home by way of Indian Creek Trail, and grabbing Gary Haller trail where it intercepts 127th near Ridgeview. That plan changed the instant I walked outside and felt the chill in the air. Rather than enjoy a leisurely ride home, I hammered it pretty well (against a fell wind) the short way home.

I’m really going to have to get back in the habit of paying attention to the weather. I’ve enjoyed being able to ignore the temperature all summer, but methinks those days are over, at least until next summer. We may have another warm spell, but I picture colder and colder days from here through the end of the year. It makes me sad.

Also out enjoying the weather today was Megan Hottman, the owner/operator of Defined Fitness Training, the club I’m a member of. She raced in the women’s criterium being run in conjunction with the Tour of Missouri. Unfortunately, I don’t know how she did yet, but I’ll post it here once I find out.

Oppressive Cool

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I left the house, and was astonished at how cool it was. I hadn’t checked the weather when I left, and the following dialog ensued…

It feels like 65°!
No way.
Yes way!
No. No way. It’s probably 75°, and just feels cooler b/c it’s been so hot lately.
Ok. I can live with that.

So I did. I lived with it joyously all the way into work. Right as I left at about 06:10, a truly gorgeous sunrise was in the works. All flame, it lit the world around me with that pinkish orange glow that I’ve seen nowhere but Kansas. While I do love the mountains and the ocean, nothing offers sunrises and sunsets like the Midwest.

The only frustrating part of the ride was the stoplights that wouldn’t change. Scofflaw that I am, I waited my typical two cycles and rode through them. The same thing happened to me last night at 79th and Nieman. The light simply wouldn’t change, though there was a line of cars behind me ready and willing to trip the trigger. We waited probably 3-4 minutes before I scoffed and rode through, followed immediately by numerous cars.

On the way, I saw a four fellow cyclists, none of whom were heading my way, or even heading in such a direction as to notice me. Well, the two women heading north on Lamar were, but they were deep in conversation about babysitting, so they didn’t notice me passing by. I really expected far more cyclists out by now. I’m sure there are, but my route and when I ride it probably isn’t that popular.

When I arrived at work, a little on the muggy side, I checked the weather, and my first inclination was correct. It read 67°F. In early August.

I’m going to enjoy it while it lasts… which looks to be for the foreseeable future… have we already seen the hottest days of the year?

Gloriously Wet Commute

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It was raining fairly hard and steady the whole way in this morning. In fact, it’s been raining fairly hard and steady since around 8 last night. We noticed it while playing pool, and it just hasn’t let up.

I, of course, love riding in the rain. Sure, it means more maintenance on the bike (extra lubing and whatnot), but the joy that is a ride in the cool rain, especially after so many tortuously hot days is indescribable. So I won’t bother trying to describe it. That would be silly.

I took the Kona in, because it has fenders, and it’s proven itself in the rain. I’ve been told that the Campy Record Triple bottom bracket that I had installed on the Torelli has sealed bearings and is OK to ride in the rain, but I just don’t trust it. It was hella expensive, and I’d rather just ride safe than sorry with it.

When I first contemplated the Kona last night, I had a moment of regret. I’ve been spoiled with the Torelli, but the truth is (and this happens every time I switch out) once I get on the Kona, it’s like putting on an old pair of sneakers. Sure, they’re a little worn, but they’re so comfortable and easy to wear that it’s easy to forget how long it’s been since they were last trod in.

The GF asked me a couple of days ago how I can go between the two bikes so easily. I didn’t think about it much at the time, but the ride this morning brought it back. The answer is actually very simple. I’ve had the Kona for 15 years now, and have ridden it for most of that. I’ve had the Torelli for 2 and a half years, and have ridden it a *lot* in that time. Both bikes are extremely familiar to me, and both have styles that, though different, I enjoy. The old pair of sneakers might not be for anything but mowing the lawn and doing yard work anymore, but they do the job and do it wonderfully without complaint, and quite comfortably. The new pair is nicer looking and tends to allow me to run faster, but it’s best to keep them out of the grime. Both pairs slide on and instantly feel like they belong.

So today, it was the old pair of sneakers in the rain and the puddles, and they reveled in it, happy as hell to be needed.

Most notable sight of the morning: Indian Creek is running so high the trail that runs along it is flooded in at least one, and probably many many places. I might try to take it tonight on the Kona, just to see what it’s like…

I Feel Like a Bike Commuter Again

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I woke up this morning at about 4:20. I’m not sure what woke me up, but I had a feeling that if I didn’t get up, I wouldn’t. Having gone to bed last night at 9:30 or so, getting up that early really wasn’t a big deal. So I got up, checked my phone (which serves as my alarm clock) and it was dead. Plugged into the charger, and yet dead and not charging. Very odd. I plugged it into another wall socket, and it started charging just fine.

Very strange.

Getting up that early gave me plenty of time to putz around and switch everything I needed over to the Kona. Why the Kona, and not the Torelli, you are certainly asking?

Rain. Glorious, cooling rain.

Those of you that pay any attention here at all know that I love riding in the rain. Given the heat we’ve had the last week or so, the rain this morning was even more fantastic than normal. I got out at around 5:50 or so and thoroughly enjoyed myself, taking it easy and enjoying the ride. I saw no other bike commuters, but was a little surprised at the number of cars that were pulling out of driveways as I passed. More today, 30 minutes earlier than my norm, than I recall ever seeing before. It was kinda weird.

Another benefit of the rain is when I got to work, though I was soaking wet, it felt cleaner than had it been 80-85°F out and humid. It was easy to dry off and just go, rather than spend 15 minutes cooling down. I miss the cooler weather, but I know that right around the corner from that is the colder weather.

Since this is the first time I’ve ridden the Kona in weeks, I paid a bit of attention to the effort I was putting forth. It felt a little sluggish, but then I realized that I’d been keeping it in the big ring the whole time. Not once did I feel like I needed to downshift into the middle, much less the small ring. All this riding is definitely paying off.

Riding the Kona has another, somewhat unexpected affect. I feel more like a bike commuter on it than I do my Torelli. Sure, the *only* difference is the bike beneath my butt, but for some reason, taking it feels more “commuty” than taking the Torelli. Riding the one bike vs. the other puts me in a completely different state of mind. On the Torelli, I’m taking corners hard, pushing myself and trying to best previous times. On the Kona, I’m more relaxed, upright and (at least these days) taking my time.

Switching Bikes Due to Weather, Pinched Nerves and Freeweights

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I woke up a little late this morning. I drove in yesterday to drop the car off and bring clothes in for the week, and since driving in affords me a little more sleep, I gave it to myself. Unfortunately, I forgot to reclaim it this morning, and so I slept late.

Not that it mattered. I woke up to thunder, lightening and rain. I’m not sure what I would have done had I a car at home, but without one, I started preparing the all-weather Kona for the ride in. It was pretty easy. I have mounts for the headlight and taillight on both bikes, so moving them over is literally two snaps. I have to move the frame/battery bag over, but that’s easy enough with four Velcro straps the only thing standing in the way. The panniers are already packed with the flat kit, and since my clothes were already at work, I didn’t have to worry about that. The rain cost me all of about 4 minutes. In reality, it cost me nothing, b/c (Recumbum may appreciate this) I waited until the lightening and thunder passed before heading out.

The ride in was, as always, uneventful. There was a yellow mustang driven by a rather attractive blonde that hung back and let me keep up with her until about halfway up the bridge taking Quivira over I35. It was fun watching the Hondas and SUVs tear away while this ripped and toned Mustang hung back to see what I could do. I’m sure she was just admiring my Edge 705 and Cat-eye Triple Shot… I can only imagine how well I would have done on my Torelli. I may have been able to keep up for another 20 or 30 entire feet!

The most harrowing event this morning was the pinched nerve that flared up violently in my upper back while I was still at home swapping out lights. I’ve had pinched nerves before, but never so acute and so sudden. Fortunately, while the ache is still there, and I don’t have full range of motion yet w/o pain, it seems a relatively minor episode compared to some I’ve experienced. My Father dealt with this, and his father before him. I hope my sons and/or daughters don’t. It’s no fun.

Maybe I excited the nerves moving the weight bench from a friends house to mine. I’m committed to selling the Weider Max (pics here), due to a preference for actual weights vs. tension bars. Last night I picked up a weight bench with weights a friend of mine wanted to get rid of. It’s been waiting for me for months now, but until the garage sale, we had no room. It’s not as big, has actual honest-to-goodness weights, and it was free. Score.

Ok… back to the auditors…

Four Wheels Today

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I drove in this morning for a several reasons, where “several” equals exactly three.

  1. I have a time trial tonight at 18:00. I thought it might be a good idea to save my legs for it.
  2. Related to that, it’s freakishly windy this morning. Fighting the wind, as an endeavor unto itself, holds little appeal to me right now, much less while I’m trying to save my legs.
  3. I got to bed very late last night, on account of Pool League running long. I’m running low on sleep, so I would likely exhaust myself against the wind, and be that much cantankerous about it, and bet both tired and of the wrong mindset to ride my best tonight.

It can be argued that my critical lack of sleep is, by itself, cause for concern where my performance tonight goes. I choose to ignore that argument because LOOK! An eagle!!

The weather people have predicted major storms this afternoon, including tornadoes, lightening, and some form of amphibian bombardment. Honestly, at this point, I wouldn’t be disappointed. I’ll manage if the time trial is rescheduled for next week.

Recovery After the Storm

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Last night’s ride home was a hammerfest. I rode hard and fast the whole way, and still only made it with an average speed of 16.8. Not my best. I rode so hard to make up for the fact that I wasn’t taking my long way around on account of running a little late.

Got home, drenched, but feeling great, and made an evening of 8 ball pool league.

While we were at the pool hall, the sky fell. Torrential rain and hail tore through the area, tearing down limbs, whipping signs and trees around, and generally making a mess of things. There was fire. That was the only fire, however, at least as far as we were concerned. We did pretty badly last night, winning only 1 of 5 rounds. *sigh*

This morning, I woke to more storms. The dogs were restless, and I’m not sure which woke me to be honest. The dogs pawing at the bedroom door, or the dramatic lightening and thunder.

When it was actually *time* to get up, I had a much better time than yesterday. I took it easy on the way in, enjoying the views of the back of the thunderhead as it made it’s way across Missouri. It was awesome.

Two cyclists this morning. Both on the street. Riding road bikes. Happy and jealous all at the same time.