Well, 24 miles from home and the hot ash reigns down.No car....Gotta pedal.. First 8 miles were pretty awful. Air was acid. Fires were out, however. Smoldering still going on.. If winds stay down, hope our local fires will be out. Most of fire action all night were about 4-6 miles away. Across a lake.
We could see the fire action with our remote camera..Bad air choked the plant ventilation system. Winds somehow stirred the firey storm away from us.
Did not use a mask those first 8 miles,but would have been a good idea. Air was dark, against what would have been a bright sky.
When circled around south of the fire, air gradually improved. When crossing the pass over into San Diego county the air was probably 70% brighter and clearer(cleaner?).. Most of the fires in San Diego were south of my home.
It was an experience and sets my determination to leave the car in the garage, whenever possible. First commute to work, (when the bulk of my co-workers were present.) I wore my new Voler jersey, "Stamp out cars,' Ride a bike to work.
Some co-workers looked supportive. Car addicts looked annoyed.
My time to home on bike. About 2 hours, 15 minutes. Best ever 1 hour, 42 minutes. pay the price for almost 3 months off the bike.
Smoke and ash worse than a clammy and wet? Travel Time would have probably been worse in the rain?