It’s October. It’s cool. It’s PERFECT riding weather. Gone are the days of 105 degrees, feeling like a raisin—all baked and dried out and feeling the pouring sweat at each red light. What isn’t gone, though, is the need to continue to be mindful of some safety precautions. First, while the air feels cool, the Arizona sun is still as volatile to your skin as ever. Don’t forget the sunscreen. Water is still essentially important to your body’s ability to produce. Just because the weather doesn’t feel like the Sahara desert when you ride, it doesn’t mean that water is any less important. Be sure to continue to hydrate the night before a long ride and remember to bring two quarts of water and refill when you stop. One more thing, forgive my stating the obvious, but if you were riding before work during the week at 5;30 or 6 a.m. there was plenty of sparkling sunshine to light your path. That, too, has slipped away with the mercury falling. Be sure to wear flashers behind you and a light in front of you. You may be able to see just fine, but commuters rushing to work may not. Be safe and be lighted!
After a bout of my usual fall allergy-induced case of sinus infection and bronchitis, I was worried about having lost three weeks of quality riding. It was heartbreaking to see my riding buddies take off for a weekend of the Bay To Bay Bike MS ride in southern California without me. It’s funny how sometimes, a person can’t tell how poor one feels until you start to feel well. I had no idea I was walking around with 1/10th of my breathing capacity until I downed a few doses of prednisone and could breathe more normally. I digress though, because although I feel a bit weaker, when I got back on my bike, it felt like slipping on a comfortable pair of slippers that you haven’t worn in a while. Once again, I felt I came home!
Have you noticed the sunrises lately, simply spectacular! I can’t decide which I am more in awe of, last spring’s wildflower display as seen from a bike or the fall sunrise and sunset colors from above the handlebars. It doesn’t last forever though, folks, so don’t let these amazing weather mornings pass you by. I can usually get in about 18 miles and still make it to work by 8:30, showered and commuted. Some of my favorite morning rides are:
San Juan Road at South Mountain Park. Park in the parking lot near the visitor center and ride out the end of San Juan . It’s only about 14 miles, but you get some hill work in and the reward is the view of Phoenix at the ramada at the end.
Ahwatukee/Pecos Road. Park at the Park and Ride at 40th street just north of Pecos and ride all the way to the end of Pecos Road and turn right to end in the neighborhood and turn around. Again, only about 14 miles but beautiful views and not too aggressive traffic until the ride east on Pecos .
Freestone Park in Gilbert. Park at Freestone Park and ride north on Lindsay Road . Bike lanes are present in both north and south directions.
What’s your favorite morning valley of the sun ride of 14-20 miles? Let me know and I will post here.
