_ForceD_

Here in southern coastal New England, and the northeast in general, weather systems have been bringing the smoke from the Canadian wildfires into our area. It’s caused the atmosphere to be rather hazy…enough that you can actually smell the smoke. I’ve been riding in it the past few days…but there are actually air quality alerts, and I’m thinking I may wait until things clear up, or ride on the trainer indoors (air conditioned). Sports leagues from youth up to professional have been postponing events. Just wondering how others in areas affected by the smoke are handling it. — Dan

Just Mark

I rode last Tuesday before I was aware of the air Quality issue. My throat was ragged out by the end of my ride and is still scratchy today. 2 days without riding drove me here for the first time in a long time. Fingers crossed conditions improve soon.

Steve B.

I rode Tues., but it wasn’t bad as winds and rain were in the area. Yesterday and today are pretty bad and I’m not even going outside,

rsbob 

Last summer in the PNW we had bad smoke from Canadian wildfires from British Columbia. Our air quality was rated as Hazardous as a result. I tried one day riding in it at a low level of exertion and didn’t feel all that bad however scientists from the U of Washington warned that inhaling the very fine particulate from the smoke was extremely bad for those with underlying health conditions. I then switched to riding the trainer indoors for three weeks. It was a drag because it was sunny, but my long tern health won out.

trailangel

You boys need to come to California to get in shape.

freeranger

There is an air quality alert here, outside of Louisville, KY. But it doesn't seem bad to me. Can't see clouds now-don't know it the sky is clear or if haze is obscuring them. I was able to see a few clouds against a blue sky earlier this morning. Pics I've seen from the northeast on the news has me happy to be here now--used to live outside of Baltimore.

seypat

The thread title makes me think of this:

skidder

So true! The pictures I'm seeing from back east look like quite the normal situation when we have wildfires in the surrounding mountain forests and low-altitude brush country. Funny, but they don't get the national attention from the New York-focused media giants when it happens out west as when its directly affecting the NYC area. With the plentiful rains this winter leading to a bumper crop of grasses in the foothills I'm expecting some seriously epic wildfires here in Southern California this summer through fall. We'll all be off the bicycles for a few days, maybe more than a week at a time.

genejockey 

Living in the SF Bay Area, when there is wildfire smoke around, I make use of Purple Air. I can see what the air will be like along my preferred routes. I use it with the LRAPA setting - it's not necessarily "right", but you should always use the SAME settings so your readings are consistent. Initially, I decided not to ride if it was >100, but eventually I relaxed that, and I will ride if AQI did not exceed 150 anywhere on my route, and doing it that way I have never experienced any particular symptoms. When it's higher than that, I ride the trainer. Indeed, the 2020 wildfire season is why I signed up for Zwift!

I don't have any underlying lung issues, though, and if you do, you might be more cautious. Oh, and we're talking no more than an hour or so of riding, and not going so hard that I was panting. Basically Z1/Z2.

indyfabz

The AQI in Philadelphia got to 450 or so yesterday. It's better this afternoon but supposed to get worse again tonight. MLP postponed the Philles-Tigers game yesterday. No word yet on whether it will be played tonight. Lots of peole walking around in masks yesterday. It was like COVID 2.0.

The sun at about 5 pm yesterday afternoon.

indyfabz

You're joking, right? I am in Philly. I plenty of CA wildfire news every year. It's a favorite of GMA. And since the station I watch for local news is an ABC affiliate, I see it there, too. You folks need to rake your forests.

Jughed

The numbers were 480+ at my place on the Eastern Shore MD this AM...

It's now dropped into the 200+ range. My bike is loaded up and I will be riding the C&D canal this evening, or at least until I tip over.

indyfabz

Blast from the past. Had totally forgotten about that tune.

Calsun

It is better for your health to stay indoors. I spent months indoors with the fires in Oregon and California. Wearing a N-95 mask is a good idea when you do have to go outdoors. The smoke contains toxic chemicals and so it is more of a concern than normal smog from motor vehicle exhaust.

Might as well stock up on the N-95 masks as wildfires in North America are going to be an ongoing problem for at least the next decade. I use these the 3M and they make a good air seal to avoid fogging glasses.They provide the best air seal of any mask I have used over the years. At $12 for 20 masks they are quite affordable and I get at least 10 days use out of a mask.

3M 9205+ Aura Particulate N95 Respirator, Flat Fold Non-Valved Disposable Respirator

delbiker1 

South coastal Delaware at about 9 this morning.


Wind picked up and cleared a bit before storm front came through. Post rain, clearer than it has been for days.

jlaw

In eastern upstate NY we've had AQI readings in 150 to 200 range for a few days - I could clearly see the haze in the air between our house and other homes about 200 yards away. Central NY was over 400 at times! I spent a few hours outdoors each day doing chores, but nothing strenuous.

Today started similarly, but we got lucky and things cleared out around noon - no visible haze this afternoon and AQI dropped to around 60. Yay! Took a ride into town. 7 days ago I didn't even know what AQI was!

I heard an interesting AQI equivalency today - the claim was that spending the day outdoors with a 150 AQI is the equivalent of smoking 7 cigarettes. I'll ride up 100 AQI - maybe not if higher.

The fires in Quebec and Nova Scotia could be roaring off and on all summer, so I may have more smoking in my future.

biker128pedal

Tuesday and Wednesday road the mountain bike in the Waldorf MD area. Wednesday I was having second thoughts as the haze was denser. No smoke smell. Got to the park in the woods and the air was clearer. Even better on the trails. The trees seem to be filtering the smoke. Today was worse. Could smell the smoke after mid morning.

SurferRosa

First, we have to understand if this is purposeful. Is it like Chinese hacking? Russian election tampering? Cuban food? I don't know what these Canadians have against us other than our overall winning.

trailangel

There are lightening fires every darn year in Canada..... and they own all those super scoopers that are constantly working because few roads to get in there.
Not set on purpose. It's just the weather has been so weird it's making the smoke come to USA.

genejockey 

I have had Cuban food fairly frequently since that Cuban place opened up on El Camino Real, but AFAICT it doesn't correlate with AQI.

genejockey 

I've heard living in Canada describes as like living upstairs from a loud, obnoxious, occasionally insane neighbor. Perhaps the strain made them snap finally?

blacknbluebikes 

Here in NYC on Friday, after a few days of red sun and orange skies... "It's great: we're finally getting fresh air from Detroit." Said no one ever before...

SkinGriz

Or do prescribed burns, or harvest the fuel for housing. I won’t hold my breath…

SkinGriz

Great interview for those interested.

My mom was a wild land firefighter and said the interview really brought back memories.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas...=1000424320052

Bald Paul

I normally lead a club ride on Wednesday nights, but cancelled it this last Wednesday due to the air quality alert. The smoke had come all the way to upstate SC.