Bicycling in Bloomington

 Bloomington weather is generally fine for bicycling but during the warmest parts of the summer, it can be uncomfortably warm. We’re in that period of summer now. So, sweating is part of every ride.

Sweating is important for maintaining body temperature and inevitable when active in warm weather. For example, today the bank time / temperature sign on College Mall Road reported that it was 88 when I was riding in to work. It doesn’t seem possible to ride a bike in this weather and not sweat. So, when I arrived at work today, I was wet.

Sweating doesn’t bother me. Over a lifetime of sports, recreation, and work that generates sweat, it’s not a big deal. But others think it’s strange that I don’t feel uncomfortable when wet. I usually try to stay in my office for awhile after I arrive.

Last Saturday, I watched the end of the Tour de France time trials. I noticed that the Tour riders and I are similar in one way. We sweat a lot from our faces when riding. My road bike has about 6000 miles and sweat has caused the paint under the top tube to blister. Previous bikes have rusted significantly on the top tube and the connection to the seat tube.

It’s been a good week for riding for me. Monday and Wednesday I did Old 446 with 10 60+ second intervals and a number of shorter intervals. Tuesday and Thursday, I rode 446, Swartz Ridge, Moore’s Creek, Rhorer and Sare. On most of the flat spots, I was riding faster than 20 mph and pushed a little hard up the Moore’s Creek hill. I was very sweated when I finished the rides and all finished no later than 9 AM.

Hot weather and sweating are part of bicycling in Bloomington. And, as uncomfortable as sweat might make us feel, I don’t think it’s nearly as bad as cold feet and hands on winter ride.

Today, I returned to my LBS to get help with the last pump/cage installation. They got longer screws and it worked. I also bought shoes for off-road riding, tube patches, and a lock for my new rack. I spent a lot over the past two days. I don’t check the prices much because I trust the LBS employees to sell me the equipment appropriate for my needs.

I sometimes use my commuting bike for road rides up to about 30 miles. This bike has toe clips and straps, so it’s not ideal for long rides. The off-road shoes can also be used for the road rides on my commuter bike.

The stiff off-road shoes should help reduce injuries to my feet when I fall off the bike like I did two weeks ago.

Tomorrow, the long ride with my daughter. I’ll report in the evening.