Summer

There's nothing like a few days in the Northwest, followed by a quick return to New Orleans, to remind you that it's Summer.  When I stepped out the door early Tuesday morning it was like walking into a sauna.  The long Tuesday ride was mercifully moderate, which certainly helped with the transition, and although I arrived back home a little more wilted than usual, it wasn't really all that bad.  Of course I figured my legs would be somewhat worse for wear by evening, considering how long I'd been off the bike.  They were.  Fortunately the two consumables presently available at home fall into the Merlot and Ice Cream food groups, so all was well.

It was hard getting out of bed this morning, which threw a monkey wrench into my rather tight routine, ultimately requiring me to rush out to make the morning ride before it left without me.  On the positive side, that bit of extra effort served to loosen up my legs which needed a little loosening-up.  Otherwise, it was a typical Wednesday ride with the group's pace staying within a few mph of 22 practically the whole way out and back.  I'm hoping I'll be able to make it out to the training race on the lakefront this evening if I can get past some of the work I have on my plate today.  It feels like we're getting into that familiar mid-summer routine now.  The 10-day weather forecast looks like it was made with a rubber stamp, and a good portion of my weekday riding time is spent in a kind of mind-numbing heat-induced stupor. Well, at least more of a stupor than usual.