Really Hot Weather

This hot weather in the US South is killing my riding fun.

Changed oil on July 30---60days after last change-----1700 miles=not so much for me in summer. 100 degree F and high humidity are killers....then add bad southern food and dirty bathrooms, takes the fun out of it.

About 4 weeks ago I decided to ride to Key West again, SilverWing and new dog Jake.
Got about half way to Miami, got sick from heat/bad food/bad water----turned around, headed North, sick able to ride only 100-150 miles a day----Motel 6 to Motel 6, getting right into bed after checking in.

For me as rider FL has nothing to offer, so I missed nothng by turning around.



Do plan one ride to UP of Mich this summer and one to New Found Land/New BR. this summer, though.....as soon as it cools down

Newfoundland, Mr Grinsel? Canada's best kept secret.

I've ridden there a couple of times. Gotta tell ya though that nowhere on The Rock is further than 60 miles from the ocean, so do come prepared for foul weather. Wind too. The wind is born in Newf'n'land. The people are great, but the roads are in sorry shape once off the TCH.

If you aren't budgeting for a "room" on the ferry then do spend a couple of extra bucks for a Reserved seat. The reserved seats are more spacious and comfortable and the reserved deck is less crowded than the general seating decks. Do take the "midnight" ferry too. You get a night's rest and the ferry docks about 07:00. That 07:00 arrival hold true coming from either direction, so if you're arriving back in Nova Scotia that arrival time would give you the opportunity to ride the Cabot Trail before continuing on the rest of your day's journey.

There is a hostel in Rocky Harbour, and while it isn't cheap it is a lot less expensive than any motel accommodations you'll find --and you get to enjoy the company of a few of the friendly local folks who live adjacent to the hostle too. Rocky Harbour is in Gros Morne National Park and is about half the way up the north west arm. If you are going all the way up to L'Anse aux Meadow or St Anthony area Marilyn's Hospitality House comes highly recommended by a couple of BMW ridersi met up that way.

And, hey, the further north you get the cooler the weather.

I'd go back in a new york minute.

Tim

Been a bit warm the past few days here. 108F a couple days ago. Add to that the dense smoke we're getting from a forest fire about forty miles north of here and it's less than pleasant. Some flights have bypassed our airport due to low visibility at times the past two days. That doesn't stop us scooter boys, I've been on my scooter several times including a 100 mile run on Saturday.

Tucson here, 109 yesterday, 107 today. Definite sting in the air. It does take the thrill outa the afternoon ride.

Getting somewhat tired of the smoke here. Today visibility at the airport was 1.7 miles. It does keep the temperature down to the low 90s though.

In my neck of the woods (Poland) the forecast for today is 37C(98.6F). This is pretty hot summer in Europe.

It's currently about 16°C here in York and it may reach the giddy heights of 19°C / 66°F this afternoon. I've just baked a couple of bara brith and I'm off out for a ride when they'be cooled.

From the Meldrew collection I've chosen the black Klim Overland suit and a rather snazzy neon red hi-vis vest from Olympia.

18 at the moment with fluffy white clouds obscuring the sun.
It was beautiful at 8.00. this morning when I went out - no clouds and azure-blue sky.
The temperature is expected to reach 21 for a few hours after 3.00. this afternoon.

Meldrew wrote:

It's currently about 16°C here in York and it may reach the giddy heights of 19°C / 66°F this afternoon. I've just baked a couple of bara brith and I'm off out for a ride when they'be cooled.

From the Meldrew collection I've chosen the black Klim Overland suit and a rather snazzy neon red hi-vis vest from Olympia.

Thank you for the UK weather report.
We in Europe will suffer this heat for at least a week or so. Still riding after all.

For me as rider FL has nothing to offer, so I missed nothng by turning around.<<<<<< John have you been to the Clermont, Zepherhills, Plant City area? at least there are a dew hills and some curves there, granted pretty much else is flat and once you have seen the swamp the rest is pretty much the same.

Since I have already ridden to Key West several times, and tried back roads on one trip there, I still think, not a place to ride----trailer bikers love it when they come to Daytona, though.

Hey John, when on your trip to the U.P. this summer, I strongly recommend copper peak in western u.p. above ironwood. Painted Rocks is epic, Ashland is beautiful. Check out some waterfalls and eat yourself silly.

cerve137 wrote:

Hey John, when on your trip to U.P. <>Painted Rocks is epic, Ashland is beautiful. Check out some waterfalls and eat yourself silly.

Oh?... There's good Road Food in the UP? Please tell me more. Hmm, maybe start a new Topic rather than hijack this one.

Tim

Having 100+ temps in my part of Texas right now, but heat rash is better than road rash, so ATGATT.

I find wearing my mesh jacket cooler than riding wearing a tee shirt. The mesh keeps the sun off your skin and lets the wind blow through.

exavid wrote:

I find wearing my mesh jacket cooler than riding wearing a tee shirt. The mesh keeps the sun off your skin and lets the wind blow through.

What type / brand mesh jacket are you wearing? I am still looking for some sensible, safe gear to wear in the Australian summer and haven't seen anything locally. And having grown up somewhat from the days of riding in singlets, shorts and sandals I am desperately looking for some hot weather riding gear.

First Gear mesh is what I've had for years, held up well, has the padded protection areas, would by another if needed. Frog Togs and Dry Rider for wet / cold rides.

Same here, my First Gear jacket has held up well for about eight years so far. It did shrink a bit in my closet last winter but still fits well enough. I carry the liner in my bike because it takes up little room. That way if it does get chilly the liner helps quite a bit. One other good feature of the First Gear mesh jacket is that it does have some armor in strategic places in case of an unplanned dismount.

I also carry a small stuff bag with my Frogg Toggs, they don't take up much room. Around these parts one is apt to be hit by a shower any time of the year.

"I also carry a small stuff bag with my Frogg Toggs, they don't take up much room. Around these parts one is apt to be hit by a shower any time of the year."

We have similar whether here and I swear by Frogg Toggs too. But be warned Frogg Toggs will melt easy, real easy. I will not ride anywhere without my Frogg Toggs.

HMMMM Meldrew, whats a bara brith ?

Greysilver wrote:

HMMMM  Meldrew, whats a bara brith ?

Googled it up and one definition was "kind of like a fruitcake" which is redundant considering the baker.

Just kidding Meldrew. Your home must be wonderful with all the baking you do.

Bara brith is a type of tea bread from Wales and bara brith means speckled bread. If you have Irish heritage Barm Brack also translates as speckled bread too. There seems to be many recipes for bara brith, my Welsh mother in law gave me a traditional recipe but it seemed to be very dense and heavy, so I used one using chopped up fresh apple and plums to replace some of the dried fruit. I'll let her decide if my version is any good.

Today I'm baking Pain de Mie, I've made two versions of this bread since I bought a Pullman bread tin in Las Vegas three months ago. One version uses butter and make a softer brioche tasting loaf and is very good for making a classic Grilled Cheese Sandwich. Today I'm making the plainer version which I prefer for toast and sandwiches.

I have to say that my Pullman bread tin which is made by USA Pan which I bought in Sur La Table is a quality item which I'm very pleased with. If you haven't already given up on this post you maybe thinking what's the old fool on about? A Pullman loaf tin is long and straight sided and has a sliding cover so the dough bakes to a perfectly symmetrical shape. The tin got it's name as it's supposed to look like a Pullman railway carriage.

Meldrew wrote:

Bara brith is a type of tea bread from Wales and bara brith means speckled bread. If you have Irish heritage Barm Brack also translates as speckled bread too. There seems to be many recipes for bara brith, my Welsh mother in law gave me a traditional recipe but it seemed to be very dense and heavy, so I used one using chopped up fresh apple and plums to replace some of the dried fruit. I'll let her decide if my version is any good.

Today I'm baking Pain de Mie, I've made two versions of this bread since I bought a Pullman bread tin in Las Vegas three months ago. One version uses butter and make a softer brioche tasting loaf and is very good for making a classic Grilled Cheese Sandwich. Today I'm making the plainer version which I prefer for toast and sandwiches.

I have to say that my Pullman bread tin which is made by USA Pan which I bought in Sur La Table is a quality item which I'm very pleased with. If you haven't already given up on this post you maybe thinking what's the old fool on about?  A Pullman loaf tin is long and straight sided and has a sliding cover so the dough bakes to a perfectly symmetrical shape. The tin got it's name as it's supposed to look like a Pullman railway carriage.

You seems to be a very good candidate for a wife. Are you available by any chance?

I've already been PM'd by an American guy offering me a Green Card, but if nothing comes of that I'll brush up on my sourdough, rye, and caraway seed breads!

Meldrew wrote:

I've already been PM'd by an American guy offering me a Green Card, but if nothing comes of that I'll brush up on my sourdough, rye, and caraway seed breads!

If those offers don't work out I'm the next in line. How are you at poutine, butter tarts, anything with maple syrup, at least a Timmies coffee from the Keurig??  

Pullman bread tin.

Thanks Meldrew for a very informative baking lesson and for answering my question.

I forgot to say.........107 today here in Tucson and ............ 117 in Phoenix. Barf

Will be 111 here tomorrow. Not much riding in those temps.