Breaking Weather

When weather breaks.  Ahhhhh.

What do I mean?

Mostly it is when Summer gives way to Fall.  But also when Winter gives way to Spring.  

Let’s speak of the current system. Summer is hot where I live. It is life.  It is a choice. I choose summer in Mississippi instead of winter in many other states. I have lived in a great many states and experienced a great variety of weather and terrain. It is hot here in the summer. Sometimes really hot. This summer has not been bad. Oh, it is hot, but that is normal. But I do not think we crossed 100 a single day this summer. There are other summers where we get almost of full month above that triple digit. Yes, we got close. 

Then, it breaks and it is cooler. No, not like in the northern states.  We do not drop that fast. But a drop of 10 degrees is a fair amount.  Think the difference between 40 degrees and 30 degrees. That is significant. From cold to below freezing. Same at mid 90’s to mid 80’s. It makes a difference. 

When the weather breaks it is nice. Yes, it still might be warm for some, but for us … we have become accustomed to the hard heat so when it drops, it feels way better.  

How does that impact a ride? Well, as long as there is a breeze (thankfully we create our own on a bike) then riding is OK.  Once the temperature breaks and the weather cools, it is like there is an extra gear on the bike. I am sure it is the same where you are. It is not just physiological…. it is psychological.  

Let’s start with the physiological. The body ramps up and uses energy to create motion. Muscles moving create heat. The environment is also hot. Not only is the body producing heat it is also absorbing heat from the environment. The body wants to dispel heat into the environment.  That is now difficult at best and thus the efficiency at producing movement is decreased. The body is working hard to get rid of heat.  Which limits what It can do to produce motion and the heat itself limits what it can do. When the weather cools – major improvement. The Body is not as hot thus it can produce motion, and it can also move heat from the body thereby keeping the body cool and more efficiently produce motion. It is something you can feel – you certainly have felt it.  It feels like, “wow, I feel good today. ” 

It happens in the summer to fall transition. Which is usually coupled with some fitness that has been gained during the riding season. That fitness was often masked by the heat. Now – you get it all – nice.  

It also occurs in the Winter to summer transition.  Maybe more so for those of us in the warmer climates. When my body does not have to work to keep warm, I ride much better. Sometimes in those early spring days I feel like I am solar powered.  Very nice.  

Psychological?  It is always nice to ‘feel better’.  Not as hot, feel the cool air and see the wonderful fall season. Sometimes a mental break is as beneficial as a physical break.  

So here we are in the transition from Summer to Fall (in my world) and it is nice. Nice for now. But alas, it also makes me sad.  

Sad because – I know winter is coming. Not my favorite season. It is also sad because fall is a busy time for me and I often am not able to take advantage of the nicer weather as much as I would like.  

I hope you are, have been, and continue to enjoy the Fall and all it has to offer. Great weather coupled with great fitness that you have worked all season to gain and a beautiful environment.  It is an exceptional season to ride.