Still hot

I haven't posted for a while because it's been too hot to do long rides, but the legs get desperate so Amber, Marty, Stacy, and I decided to ride my Four Rivers permanent despite predicted highs of 93F in Duarte.

It started off well, with cool, calm conditions and we rode down to the beach and along the beach path at a comfortable pace. As we headed inland to Duarte it heated up, but wasn't too bad. The car wash at the Mobil gas looked inviting but they wouldn't let us through on our bikes. Something about liability, they said. The thermometer said 92F, but it didn't feel too bad.

On the return to Long Beach the temperature spiked noticeably and the moderate headwind slowed us down too, although it cooled us. I tried the fish tacos at Chronic Tacos which were good, but not quite enough to get us back to the start. Fortunately Amber had half a giant cookie which got me home. We finished in 10:28 which isn't a great time, but it was nice to get some solid miles in.

Next weekend is predicted to be 10F cooler - can't wait!

The prior day, Sherry and I had hiked the Exploration Trail, about 9 miles with 1400' of climbing in 2h30 which is a very good time for us. Between the hike and the permanent I had an exhausting weekend. But good!

Exploration Trail

200km at 90F

Greg and Stacy just got back from a successful PBP and were ready to continue working on their K-Hound award. We rode my Four Rivers 200k permanent again, knowing it would be hot.

It was overcast when we started, which was lovely. The overcast burned off by the time we reached the beach. The Crema was out of baguettes so I settled for a quiche and a spinach and cheese croissant. Greg and Stacy are both on a weird no-grains diet so they had bacon and eggs. I must say their diet contradicts everything I've ever learned about losing weight, but I think we can all agree it's working for them.

Outside The Crema

By the time we reached Duarte it was 90F and we were cooking.I was more interested in re-hydration than nutrition and struggling with a headache.

The headwind back to the beach wasn't too bad, thank goodness, but the heat was oppressive. At Chronic Tacos I tried "Beyond Meat" that I've heard so much about. The only way you would think it tastes like meat is if you had never tasted meat. I took maybe four bites before I set it aside in disgust.

Belmont Pier

Greg and Stacy had started the ride at their house, so they pealed off as I headed inland on the SART with a light tailwind. It was obvious to me that I was going to bonk because I had hardly eaten anything in the last 65 miles. I had a Probar with me, but decided to see if I could complete the ride with deficient calories.

During the ride, the spring on my aerobar's elbow pad broke again. I used my tiny bungee cord to stop the pad flopping around until I got home. I have spare springs from when it broke last time, but decided to replace them with spare aerobars I had bought for Lejog. These aerobars have the advantage of being PBP compatible. Stacey is trying to convince me to do PBP in four years. I must be mad.

At least they'll have baguettes!