It is Hot Out!!

It seems like I only recently posted with the headline "It is cold Out" (I know I wrote it but I cannot find it to link to it). I spent all winter riding dreaming of the warm weather that I knew was on the way. I guess it falls under the category of "be careful what you wish for".

Both Thursday and Friday were perfect days for riding but I got involved in upgrading my laundry equipment so they became rest days. I did go to the gym on Friday evening to make sure I got some training in (not really sure what I am training for). I knew the report predicted hot temps all weekend but I did not expect it to be as bad as it was.

I think I would have been OK if I had got out early both days. I woke up on Saturday morning at 6 AM and I decided that I really did not feel like riding with the Colts Neck group so I figured I would sleep until 7 AM and get out by 8 AM. Unfortunately I did not wake up again until 9:30 AM. I then I went into ride avoidance mode. I made coffee, ate breakfast, surfed the Internet (thanks Al Gore) and then wrote a post on my blog.

By the time I got out it was close to 1 PM. Just as the Sun was at its highest point. When I went to bed on Friday evening I had a 60 plus mile route laid out that started as the Freehold ride I have been taking a lot and then would head over to Long Branch and then maybe over Mt. Mitchell Overlook. Yeah na!!

As I was heading up Dutch Lane on my way back into Colts Neck I started to think that it might be best just to take it back home and keep the ride at about 35 miles. I was keeping a good pace but I was suffering. I snaked my way over to Phalanx and then made to turn to return to Holmdel.

As I was heading back I started to think that a smoothie from Smoothie King in Red Bank would hit the spot. I also noticed that the chain on the Tarmac needed to be lubed but I did not have the right lubricant at home (the stuff that I use on my Langster was not the right stuff) and that would mean that I should swing by Bike Haven to correct the situation. The original plan was to head home, get my car and hit both Smoothie King and Bike Haven. As I hit RT 537 I decided using the car was the wrong thing to do and I pointed my bike toward Red Bank.

I tried to maintain a good pace into Red Bank. I stopped at Smoothie King, got a PowerPunch Plus and sat on one of the benches. I then made my way over to Bike Haven. Said hello to Garrett and Cliff. Got the right lube and then programmed my way home.

The final leg home was painful. I was in a little gear most of the way. Probably not even a C pace. By the time I made it home I rode about 46 miles. Not as long as I planned but I did avoid taking the car on a errand which is a step in the right direction.

I had big plans to get up early again on Sunday. I did get out of bed but I did not get out on the road. In fact I did not end up riding until 5:30 PM. I took the Freehold ride (I am getting tired of riding it) and got in about 35 miles. For the most part the pace was slow. I did get it cranked up on Dutch Lane but for the most part I found myself in a little gear. The temperature was close to 100 so I guess it is expected.

It is supposed to be hot most of this week. I think I liked riding in the cold better.