I had an appointment in the middle of the afternoon today, a very hot day. It was a good opportunity to test whether the new electric assist on the bike is going to make it possible for me to bike through the summer heat (and not just before 7 am!) The distance to my destination was two miles with a gradual uphill slope for much of it.
When I left, it was 107 degrees outside. I was heading out to ride on smokin' hot black asphalt. Was I crazy?! Possibly, but it takes a little bit of crazy to live a different life than the masses.
I didn't want to let the electric motor do all of the work so I turned the throttle just enough to make the peddling a bit easier. In a way it feels like downshifting without losing any of the speed and power. I used full power to make one light before it turned red but missed the second light. Thankfully, the intersection was shaded by a large pine tree on the side of the road. When I arrived at my appointment, I was warm but didn't feel overheated.
On my way home, the route was, obviously, more downhill. I opted to avoid using the electric assist much at all. This may have been a mistake as it has taken me a long time to cool off. That is one thing I've noticed about riding in the heat. When I'm on the bike, the breeze from traveling 12-18 mph makes me feel a little cooler than I really am. When I get home, I realize my body is actually a little overheated. (This situation is not aided by our poor evaporative cooling; it can't keep the house under 83 degrees during these hot days.)
All in all, though, the electric assist will allow me to bike even during the middle of a hot summer day. I may use a little more electric power than I do in the cooler morning hours, but it's a far cry more efficient than driving a heavy vehicle powered by gas! It will definitely help me meet the goals of my challenge of less driving.
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11 comments:
Good for you with the bike and new gadget--electric assist, I think y ou called it!
I can't crawl out of bed early enough to get whatever cool we've got to walk in since I sleep so badly in this heat. This happens every summer to me so I know it's going to happen.
Then going anywhere in the car is hot and such a stuggle. I would walk in the mornings for exercise as well as stopping by the closest Bashas' to pick up some things.
I feel so housebound sometimes!
cheers, Shamba
Awesome! Sounds like this is going to be a wonderful solution for you!
That bike sounds awesome! I wish Oklahoma City was more bike-friendly.
Oh, Chile! You're making me look bad. I keep saying I'll start biking once the heat cools off.
Thanks, everyone. I do think this is going to change my life, or at least how I transport myself. After all, I've logged almost 35 miles in the last four days! That's far more than I've been biking...
Shamba - I hate the summer heat, too, and how lethargic it makes me feel. In fact, right now at almost 9 pm, it is still 98 degrees outside. That's freakin' ridiculous!!!
Heather - yes, it is awesome!
Hausfrau - Tucson is only so-so. In some ways it is very bike-friendly yet in others - like driver awareness/tolerance - it is not. A big concern nowadays is drivers who text...
mollyjade - that was my refrain, too. It's partly why we decided to bite the (budget) bullet and buy this thing for me.
Congrats! That's just really exciting. Now if the heat would just go away...
Verification word: junkness
That tickles my funny bone!
Great job Chile! I'm surprised your tires didn't melt with that heat.
Peak Oil Hausfrau: I thought Oklahoma City was bike friendly because so many streets were desolate. I wish I knew you were from OK city...I would have loved to meet up with you while I was there.
I think by default every place is bike unfriendly..even so called meccas like Portland have annoying drivers and clueless cops to contend with. Strength in numbers is what I say...the more people ride, the friendly a city becomes.
Krista - are you in Tucson?
Beany - the tires didn't melt but there are patches of road that get a little shiny as the tar softens when it's hot! I am seeing more people riding lately, and not just those with DUI's. Lots more bikes with panniers and it seems more Xtracycles, too. That said, I still had to scream at a lady in an SUV yesterday who pulled out of a sidestreet and sat parked in the bike lane. Grrr...
No, I'm not in Tuscon, I actually live near Portland! We've been having a crazy streak of hot weather, yesterday was 108*. And the humidity is killer. Of course, I'm feeling it more this year due to early pregnancy...
I wish I was in Tuscon, I would jump over and say "Hi!"
Chili, just recently got DH on a bike after 10 year hiatus. He's been talking about biking it to work since it's under 3 miles. His main concern is if he'll have the stamina for the ride home after working a long shift.
Wonder if your new gadget would work on a Schwin 50's style cruiser?
When I lived near Death Valley I use to wet my clothes to stay cool when biked or walked. Clothes were dry long before I reached my destination.
Did however once have the back tire of my double baby jogger blow due to the hot pavement. Talk about a heart attack!
Krista - I saw that your temps went crazy up there!
pelenaka - you could ask the owner of the shop where we got the system. We emailed her with questions and she was very helpful.
I did used to wet down my hair when I got hot on the bike. I've thrown an extra waterbottle in the bags to do that again. Biking is one reason I gave up on bangs, even thought I think I look better with them. After time under a sweaty helmet, they always lookd awful!
A tire blowout would be damn scary, especially since I'm already rather unbalanced. (Physically, not mentally. Well...oh, let's not go there today....)
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