OldTryGuy

Managed a departure time of 11:24pm Friday night at 84°F--index at 94°F and completed 100 miles back in front of my house just seconds before my 6hr time limit. Showered, kit change, bite to eat, chill for 2.5 hours and back out at 7:55am finishing with 127.91 miles as I hit the 10hr total time from start limit. SLOW going as the late morning temp was already approaching 90°F.

SW FL in the Boca Grande area and got that same heat over here. Prefer getting out around midnight.

bruce19

It's coming to New England and I'm looking forward to it. I love the stillness, the silence and the aloneness broken by the light of sunrise as I'm getting home and the world is waking up.

aspalmat

I have never been a morning workout person, in fact, I always thought it was "ridiculous". However, in the last 6 months I've found myself doing it.

Several days a week I'm on my bike by 4:45 am. I can get an hour ride in, and still have time to shower, eat, and make the 1 hour commute to work, and get there by 8:00 am.

On the weekend, I sleep in, and start my ride between 6:00-7:00 am. I actually like the morning workout now. I can get my workout in and done, and still have all day to work, hang with the family etc.

Meanerspice

Morning rides are the best though!

CAT7RDR

Less traffic, less angry motorists, cool sea breezes, the sun cresting over a mountain and an increased chance of seeing wildlife are also some pleasant positives about early AM starts.

KraneXL

If you know Florida like I do, it won't matter. I've set outside at 3:00 am generating zero energy output and still sweat bullets. The humidity is relentless, day and night. Yep, I was also a night rider. It is more comfortable when you're moving though.

OldTryGuy

7/26 was 33rd anniversary of family crossing the border into SW FL. Was also the 7th anniversary of a friend killed by a semi, --- Peter M. Cornell | ghost bikes --- so another 101 miles ridden in his honor but this time lots of them in the rain.

Got out 11:45pm last night for 55 miles and was sopped in 20 minutes. At least there was no sun beating down. NOT A FUN RIDE at all.

KraneXL

That make a huge difference. That Florida sun will quote literally suck the life out of you. Anyway, I found night riding quite pleasant, although it is crucial to have sufficient lighting (which prompted me to invest in my niterider headlight and reflective garments).

The biggest problem with the quietness and lack of traffic is your tendency to relax and become complacent and take chance you normally would no during the traffic filled day.


The moment you begin to believe you're always the only one on the road at night is the time that car (or other cyclist) comes from out of nowhere and plows into your. Fortunately, that only did happen to me once -- and put the fear of God in me -- but I was able to stop well within the safety limits, it just startled me because it was a particularly quiet section and I wasn't expecting it.

There were times though when I was really the only one on the road and would could ride in the middle of the street sometimes for miles. I used the bike trail though for most of my extended riding.

canklecat

I'm not a morning person and will often ride at night to beat the heat. But I was up early Saturday and planned to join a group for a 50+ mile ride on a familiar route. I bailed after 35 miles and struggled to slog my way home, getting passed along the way by folks who are usually slower than I am.

The weather report didn't look bad, in the 80s before noon, but the humidity was high and it felt much hotter. I've ridden in 100+ degree midday heat and was okay, but those rides were dry. I drink and sweat a lot and couldn't seem to cool off through perspiration Saturday morning.

Reminds me, I need to take a bottle with plain water besides my usual electrolytes, so I can douse myself without getting sticky and smelling like fruit.

McNamara

I've always hated getting up early. Army field training made me hate the cold too, which I previously tolerated, and living through two Chicago winters solidified that dislike for me. Now I prefer warm temperatures. Texas mid-day summer heat is still uncomfortable, but I'll take it any day over waking up early or cold weather riding.

Today was a late-morning FTHR test at 95F. Five degrees hotter would have been a bit too much, but I'm pretty acclimated by this point. Now I get cold if the temp in my apartment drops below 75! My girlfriend is the opposite, she likes it cold and prefers the winter, so the thermostat is on a frequent see-saw depending on who's home.

Flip Flop Rider

so you were the one that moved from south to north

wipekitty

Yeah, though now I'm back south for a bit