July 4th Ride

In a rare development, I do not have to head to my office today until 11:30 am. This means I have time for more than a 30 minute ride today. I wake up at 5 am anticipating this.

But what I saw out the window was significant. While the sunset was coming up bright red in the east, there was a thick darkness to the west over Lake Huron. It looked like severe weather. My weather app confirmed this. 40% chance of Thunderstorms this morning. But this sure looked like more than 40% chance.

The air was thick. The weather app indicated at 95% humidity and a temperature of 77 deg F (high 20's C). I'm sure the humidex reading would place the temp in the plus 80's F. The humidity was so high, you could actually see a mist in the air.

But not wanting to get wet, I decided to cook my oatmeal and enjoy my morning tea and just wait and see what the weather would do.

My patience paid off. The dark cloud over the Lake dissipated as the sun rose. But so did the heat and humidity. But I told myself, "If you are going to ride across Arizona in September with temps approaching 100 deg F, you'd better get use to riding around in these temps."

So I loaded up 3 bottles of Powerade and one bottle of water. Lathered on the sunscreen and checked my tire pressure.

At 6:50 am I was pedaling out the lane-way and down the road, for about one minute. That's when I realized my old, crippled, and mostly deaf dog, named Bear, was trying to follow me. Twelve years ago, Bear and I used to jog together. We both loved it. But Bear's jogging or sidewalking while I cycle days, are over. Unfortunately, she doesn't know or believe that. I had thought I had slipped away unnoticed today. Obviously not.

So I turn around and Bear gladly follows me home (She gladly follows me anywhere). Once I got her back home, I parked her on the porch, asking her to stay put. She probably wouldn't have. But by this time Debbie is up and volunteers to sit on the porch with Bear until I am out of sight. Once I am out of sight, Bear usually falls asleep and forgets I even exist.

So now I am on the road, again, and heading down the 10 kms towards the Lake, on a Mission. I want to get on that walking/bike path I found on the shore the other day and see how far south it extends.

I find the path about 30 minutes later. I follow it only to find out that it is very short and doesn't really afford me a practical alternative to enjoy an "on the waterfront" ride.

But I still have lots of time. So I head south for about 20 minutes and pick up a road that heads inland. I am making a large loop through the countryside that will end back at my home.

The temperature and humidity are almost oppressive. I'm not complaining. I like the heat, sort of. I just think about how cold I was in January. But I make a conscious decision not to push it very hard. Thus I will end my trip with an average speed of 16.9 kph (10.4 mph).

I take a picture of a school house converted to a cottage. (See posting with the pictures for today).

About an hour and fifteen minutes into the ride, I approach a site where a large white "husky type" dog lives. He surprised and pursued me here several weeks ago. Today he pursues me, but doesn't surprise me. I have my can of spray deodorant, my make-do substitution for the real "Dog Repellant" Spray I used in Arizona last March. (It is illegal to import or buy dog repellant in Canada. So deodorant will have to do. I haven't actually had to use in on a dog. But I sure feel better just holding it in my hand. I probably need some therapy regarding this.)

I see the dog, who is very old, but determined, jump up and head out for me as I pass his home. My reflex reaction is to push on the pedals. I don't know how fast I went, but my heart rate went from 106 to 146 bpm in less than 5 seconds. I consider this my cardio workout for the day.

I believe this dog belongs to the Pastor of the church next to the house from which it launches itself at me. If that is true, I would think the dog would be a good Christian dog and not try to scare the hell out of innocent cyclists. But then again, maybe that's what a good fundamentalist Christian dog would do :-)

I pedal home without further incident. I've spent 2 hours and 30 minutes out and about. I've spent 2 hours and 23 minutes in my bike seat. I've pedaled 37.2 km (23 miles).

It is about 9 am in the morning and I am ready for a long, cool shower.