I decided not to bike to work today after riding in the intense heat yesterday. It was 102 when I left work on Wednesday, a record high for the date, and it is expected to be hotter today. The heat was brutal and it felt like I was riding in a furnace room. I drank a bunch of water all afternoon and filled up both of my bottles before I left work, but the water was hot by the time I was halfway home. My biggest concern was getting a flat tire and having to fix it on the roadside because I am sure the temperatures were much hotter on the pavement. And guess what? I noticed my rear tire feeling squishy about the 7-mile point and sure enough I had a slow leak. Rode very slowly the rest of the way after I felt my rear tire rolling on a corner and I made it home with about 20 lbs pressure in the tire.

Anyway I "wimped out" today and decided to drive. Part of my rationale, in addition to the brutal heat, was the air quality. It was Code Orange yesterday and today, and my throat felt scratchy and sore last night and this morning. Part of my reason for riding is my health, but I figured I wasn't doing my health any good riding in weather this hot with bad air.