I learned my lesson last year riding between Eureka and Ukiah (CA) when it was between 105 - 116F on US 101...no more triple digit temperature riding for me. Two cases of heat exhaustion on successive days, despite prudent precautions!
Right now it's 7:00pm & still 99F out, high was 103. Our average summer temp is 78F high, mid-50's low.
But at least I got in an always totally thrilling ride last Thursday, riding to the top of reopened Windy Ridge road, truly one of the greatest rides in the country. It takes about 15 miles to get to the twisties, then it's 90% curves for the next 80+ miles 'til you get to the top. The pic I'm attaching is from last year, but it looks the same, always stunning, the mountain looking faintly menacing (and it's still steaming) and the continued starkness of the mud flats after 27 years is amazing and spooky. The mountain is not in the picture (it's to the left about 1000 yards (!!) and you're looking toward Johnston Ridge.
I hope it won't be the last weekday off I get this summer (was anticipating more) but I'll gladly wait 'til the weekend for my boss. His wife just received terrible news, highly involved (but possibly not spread) liver cancer. If I recall she's in her late 40's like me.
Everyone in Field Office management (him, the Inspector Supervisor, and I) have been working together at least 23-1/2 years. So it's more like family. My heart goes out to him (and her) tonight.
Too hot to ride!!
And after having heat exhaustion on a ride, I agree, there is weather that just isn't worth it.
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