Beating The Heat By Riding Early – BionicOldGuy


It has been pretty hot this last week, a lot of days in the high 90s and even one over 100. Fortunately it’s been better earlier in the morning so hasn’t been too bad if I get out soon enough. On Tuesday we moved our group ride, which normally starts at 10:00 AM., to 9:30. Wise choice as it was just starting to approach unpleasantly warm at the end. For the first time I got to try out my recumbent with it’s electric assist kit, which I described in my last post, on a group ride. It performed superbly. I am able to keep up with the group easily on the flats without assist, but it really came in handing during climbing. Also, we went through town for a bit before the route turned rural. In the past I would have dreaded getting stopped with the group at a traffic light because I’m so wobbly starting out, but this was no problem because I get help from my throttle now. Because of the assist this counted as an easy ride. The next day was a hard ride, starting out with a brisk tempo ride for two hours then finishing with intervals and a cooldown. Thursday was my strength workout. After that I didn’t want my upright bike to feel neglected so I took it out for a ride. I was pleased that I can stand up to pedal for longer periods now, without pain in my SI joint. Friday was a long brisk cruise on the recumbent with assist. I went through my main battery as well as my backup, and was happy to be able to go over 70 km between the two of them, probably about 80% of which was with assist turned on. Yesterday I did some walking with hand weights, followed by another recumbent cruise. I continue to be delighted with my new assist kit. As one of my friends summed up electric assist, it is like always having a tailwind.

Looking South From Coyote Valley Open Space Yesterday

Tuesday’s ride is posted on Strava here, Wednesday here, Thursday here, Friday here, Yesterday here.