The Heat is On!

After a very seasonable and pleasant early Spring, it appears that the summer heat has finally arrived. The weather folks are predicting 90+ degree temperatures for today, Saturday, and Sunday. Where was this weather last weekend?!

Some cyclists might look at this forecast and groan - "Ugh, I hate riding in the heat!" I actually enjoy it. It forces me to get up and get an early start - 6 am isn't out of the question. I can finish a 50-mile ride in just over three hours, so I'm back home around 9 am - plenty of time to do whatever else I want to do that day (did someone say BEACH?!). Also, on these really hot days, I tend to choose routes that hug the coastline, like my Cape Ann tour or the South Shore Coastal Loop. Sea breezes are just what the doctor ordered on these sweltering New England days.

I especially like riding in the heat because it reminds me of PMC weekend. Probably 6 out my 9 PMCs to date have had at least one day with temperatures over 80 degrees. The heat makes me that much more grateful for the volunteers, who supply us with ice-cold water and gatorate, freeze pops, and ice sofas (yes, sofas made out of ice). Bring on the heat!

Tomorrow, I'll start my ride at 7 am with my fellow PMCer Rich. Looking forward to getting my sweat on!

Now is a fantastic time to make your donation to the Pan-Mass Challenge. 100 percent of your donation will go directly to the Jimmy Fund, the fundraising arm of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Join me in saving lives! Thank you.