Carpe Diem, The Series: Dog Days of Summer

Paul Stevens

Carpe Diem (but in a relaxed sort of way)

We’re not yet in to the dog days of summer but it sure feels like it. Temperatures in the low 30s (about 90F) along with high humidity that pushes the humidex or ‘feels like’ temperature to the low 40s, (over 100F) for the past week or so. Heat in that range is more than just pleasantly toasty – it’s just flat out hot! Complaining about the weather is a Canadian rite of passage – too cold in the winter, too hot in the summer. Throw in some maple syrup and back bacon, and you’re we’ll on your way to becoming a Canadian. At least an honorary one.

Too hot to hop on the bike and hit the road? No way! When riding in the heat just be sure to carry your drinking bottles and take the time to stop and rehydrate. If you wait until you are thirsty, it’s too late. You are already dehydrating. I usually fill one bottle with a sport drink made from mixing powder crystals with water and then freeze it. OK, I’m cheap. Mixing the drink from the powder is much less expensive than buying the premixed bottles. And hey, it’s better for the environment to make the stuff on your own. The second bottle will be plain old H2O.

With the temperatures where they have been for the past several days, the frozen bottle does not take long to fully thaw so the contents are at least cool when called upon. By the time the ride is over an hour or two later, the remaining contents are well on their way to becoming very warm and somewhat unpalatable.

Riding in the Heat

So long as you keep moving on a very warm day, the temperature ‘feel’ is not that bad. You are cruising along, and as I have mentioned in previous articles, it’s not unlike riding along in a convertible. Because you are continuously being cast into a breeze. When you stop for whatever reason, that’s when the heat of the day hits home as you perspire from places you didn’t even know you had. Have a bit of drink and get going again and it’s almost refreshing. At least as refreshing as it can get on a hot day. Much better than sitting out in the sun or jogging. Jogging. Now there’s something that I haven’t done for quite a while. Mainly because I have been able to do a lot of cycling so the need for some cardio work has been supplanted.

I did have a bit of ‘runner’s knee’ to deal with and since this has calmed down significantly for the past few weeks, I don’t want to aggravate my knee by pounding the pavement. Moreover, my usual jogging companion, a.k.a. my dog, is not a lover of warm weather. Drop the temperature by a few dozen degrees and it’s ‘Go’ time. With current temperatures, going out to jog is not on the menu. Really, who is the one with the superior intelligence here? I think our four-legged friends have this figured out.

The Gran Fondo Approaches

We’re coming up to the end of July which means the 100 km Gran Fondo will soon here! I missed the past mid-week ride with the usual group as I had a work/social engagement that I was obliged to attend. I am a member of our local Chamber of Commerce and the past Wednesday night was the annual boat cruise. We were out on the St. Clair River for a few hours on an absolutely perfect summer night. This was a relaxed affair as shorts and sandals were the attire for the evening. This provided a nice opportunity to meet other members of the business community in a comfortable environment.

Departing Sarnia

Leaving from Sarnia at 6 p.m., the sky was clear and the temperature by the water was very comfortable with no need for a jacket or sweater. About half way into what was to be a three hour tour down the St. Clair River (memories of Gilligan’s Island!), the skies darkened dramatically and it didn’t take long for some serious rain to fall. This was accompanied by a spectacular light show with lightning bolts that stretched across the sky. This prompted me to trying to recall my high school physics. What would happen if lightning struck a boat made of steel while it was on the water. Would we all become the main course at a BBQ? Fortunately, this didn’t become a reality.

As quickly at the storm came up, however, it went away. So by the time we docked back in Sarnia, the skies had calmed down with patches of blue sky evident. The rain didn’t slow down the spirit of the evening and the boat was able to drop side curtains to keep everyone out of the rain. My alternative for the evening would have been to join the group training for the Gran Fondo, so all-in-all, not a bad way to spend an evening and meet some more of the locals. With the rain that fell, the riders in training would have received a good soaking and been on roads that get quite slick on those skinny road bike tires.

The Coming Weekend

This weekend, we are heading off to attend a family wedding north of Toronto. This promises to be a fun affair as we have family members coming from the west coast and points in between. We’ll collectively be staying at the same hotel after the wedding and then attend a family brunch Sunday morning. My family has more than its share of characters so there is never a dull moment and our parents, unfortunately and sadly, all of them now deceased, were good enough to make sure that we spent time together in our youth at all the usual holiday events so we have a great bank of memories to keep ourselves close. We still enjoy each other’s company and I honestly can’t think of any family issues that would keep any of us apart.

Knowing what other families have to contend with, I consider this a huge benefit. I am looking forward to some serious laugh-out-loud moments. Upon return to the regular routine come Monday, I’ll have to do some extra work to work off what will sure to be some over-indulgences this weekend. The things we do to enjoy ourselves…

Your friend, Paul.

And remember – Carpe Diem (but in a relaxed sort of way)!

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