Another hot, humid and windy 40 mile ride. Overcast skies was a plus.

I'm looking at options. I might start with compact ergo drops. Something with a longer flat section out to the hoods, shorter drop, and flatter top for comfort.

If compact ergo drops work out I might add interrupter levers for the brakes. I'm not comfortable riding most places without brakes at my fingertips. Even along my usual rural routes there are critters everywhere, so it's about like riding in vehicle traffic.

Mustache bars are out -- those things look awful. Unless the existing brakes can be set toward the bar ends like any swept back bars. But mounting the brakes inside the curved horizontal section looks like a clever solution to a nonexistent problem.

I made that mistake a few days ago. Temp was only 79F when I started but I hadn't checked the humidity and feels-like temp -- humidity was 80%! I didn't drink because I wasn't thirsty and had muscle cramps and spasms in my legs, feet, gut, neck and shoulders within 8 miles. I kept going thinking it would ease up. But by mile 14 I had to stop. Chewed a couple of Glukos tablets, drank some water and was okay to go again after 15-20 minutes.

Last time that happened was more than 30 years ago during a time trial in San Diego. Seemed cool and overcast outside so I didn't bother with water on what seemed like a short and easy ride. Finished but ended up with severe gut cramps.

Now I carry water even for 2 mile round trips for groceries, especially in summer.

24.5 miles (39.4k) on the freshly lubed Tarmac. I'm thinking of going out for another 10 miles since the wind hasn't come up yet but it's already 90°. Maybe nawt.

But I went anyway for 1/3 of a century - 33.3 miles (53.6k). I felt less wet in the shower afterward (96° at the end).

2017: 2,503m (4,029k)♂Total: 17,492m (28,150k)

Yep, I've minimized time in the drops -- usually less than a minute for hill climbs with strong head winds. But even riding the hoods hasn't been particularly comfortable. Main problem is an old neck injury and C2 damage. I can't crane my neck upward at all for long without discomfort.

Shopping around, I see some compact ergo drop bars with shorter reach, tops that should be about as comfortable as flat bars on a hybrid, and with short drops. Cost is only around $40. Worth a try.

I can see now why tri-bikes and aero bars evolved the way they did. For solo riders who need aerodynamics and comfort over quick handling in a peleton or pace line it makes sense.

I'd developed a bit of a bias against aero bars because so often I see cyclists riding them on the MUP at full blast, hands nowhere near the brakes, weaving around pedestrians and joggers.

But a few days ago I briefly rode with a couple of folks on tri-bikes in a rural area where aero bars make sense. We were roughly equal in conditioning and climbing capability, but eventually they dropped me on the downhills and flats -- even in the drops I couldn't match them for tucking in.

16 miles after work today. Sunny, a bit hot but minimal humidity.

18.5 KM into Boulder, got some dinner at Whole Foods, browsed a bookstore, then turned around and rode home.

23 miles Tuesday evening on the cervical neck cramp machine, after a few minor tweaks. Shoved the saddle forward about 1/4", lowered it about 1/4", tipped the nose down slightly (I usually prefer the nose up a bit to minimize having to reseat myself on rough chipseal roads). Seemed to help a bit. I'm not much faster but it felt like I was bouncing around less in the saddle and the knee didn't feel hyperextended. And I didn't feel exhausted despite pushing a bit harder on some hill climbs in 91F heat (closer to 100 with high humidity).

More heat and high humidity. Had some good wind this morning that helped somewhat. Last night's rain must have been enough to flood the creek between the loop and the west parking lot. They tore the footbridge down to replace the wood with metal but they're not done with it so we couldn't get to the subdivision today. 40 miles today with four laps around the loop instead of our normal two.

20.7 miles (33.3k). 104° yesterday—after my afternoon ride. But I'm not complaining about the heat. I've started going out earlier (8AM). Had plenty of time and I'm tired (2hrs sleep) so I took it easy coming home, not over 15mph.

2017: 2,540m (4,062k)♂Total: 17,512m (28,183k)

Lousy weather week for riding; rained out Monday and yesterday, and it's doubtful I'll get anything in this afternoon, either :mad:. Oh well, as consolation I just spoke to my LBS in VA - the 2018 Roubaix bikes are starting to hit the street. So it may not be too terribly long now :).

35 miles, OK 34.6, mostly flat, country roads with 2 killer hills at the end. 75 degrees, clouds and light wind. I may not see another day this good for months.

Hey, a near dupe here. Beautiful day here in lower-Michigan as well, low humidity, light wind, blue skies! Rode from Ann Arbor to Chelsea and returned via Dexter, 33.5 miles. Ah, a memorable first day of summer ride. :thumb:

46 miles Wednesday evening, including 20 miles on gravel with a casual group ride. Started out pretty warm but cooled off nicely after dark.

Just got back from the first 56 mile segment riding the 2017 Roubaix. Friend Bob turned up the wick a bit and my legs were burning. Getting ready to head out again.

Well, haven't posted in awhile.
Last Saturday (6/17), after not having been riding for awhile: 24.4 miles.
Monday, 6/19: Weight training, then 20 min. on the stationary bike.
Tuesday, 6/20: 20 min. on the recumbent stationary and 20 min. on the Livestrong stationary.
(Sheesh! I feel like a real piker compared to you long-mileage doods!)

Segment 2 done. Met a small Thursday group of guys but left them after a couple of miles since they were riding too slow. The bike handled extremely well and put in an additional 65 miles for 121 miles today. Will ride the bike again Saturday AM shooting for 135/150 miles and then back to the shop.

24.5 miles (33.3k) on the Roubaix.Long time battle with a bad right shoulder (replacement surgery later this year), battling RA, sprained my left hand/wrist (feels like it was smashed with a sledge hammer then set on fire) so I probably shouldn't have ridden today, but I've been waiting too long for this good riding weather. Sports tape, thick Benik wrist brace, and now tons o' pain. Can't even pick up a glass of water with it, but I did get a nice ride. But maybe not tomorrow :cry:

2017: 2,549m (4,101k)♂Total: 17,537m (28,223k)

Started out to be a 40 mile ride but my buddy Frankie showed up and it ended up being a slow, hotter than hell, 64 mile ride. Temps in the mid 90's and a Feels Like of 104º was just too hot to get exerted. The heat radiating off the asphalt was to the point that I had to stop a few times to take off my shoes and cool my feet. :(

I thought I'd try to beat the high of 102 degrees by leaving early in the morning. Unfortunately, a forest fire to the west caused hazy skies and gave me a sinus headache. But it lowered the temperature considerably, we stopped for coffee, so all was good. Ride recap: https://www.relive.cc/view/1049104429

33 miles in central NY.
I think you can see all the way to Canada. That was a bugger of a climb too.
[IMG]http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d6...psxtgk3eab.jpg[/IMG]

It was hot, hot hot! Mid 90's and very humid when I set out at 5:00 PM. I'd been wishing for the heat and humidity instead of the FL winds, and it was finally granted. 42 miles at a nice pace, came home and dunked in the therapeutic salt pool. Nice!

Supposed to be even hotter tomorrow.....Bring it! I'm going out anyway :D.

25 miles Friday mid-morning, feels-like temp was only 106F. Nothing that can't be fixed with gills.

40 miles on a typical Florida summer day. I couldn't believe how cool it was this morning nor how fast it heated up. For a while I thought it was November. :eek: