90 degrees.

43 miles.

I could stop there, but of course there is so much more to it that I won't.

It has been quite a stretch of riding this week. The combination of sunny hot weather and the fact that Jon Green is on vacation has added up to one thing for me; big-time riding. You see, when I am hosting the radio show, there is more work for me to do DURING the show, but less prep work to write BEFORE the show. Therefore, I have more time to ride in the morning. Plus today there is an afternoon Brewers' game, meaning even a little additional time due to a shorter show.

The sun was out this morning, but a threat of a storm or two popping up was in the forecast. I wasted no time, thinking the earlier I went out, the better my chances would be of staying dry and getting some extra miles in. I was dead on this one too.

I left at 9:00 a.m. in full sun, which went to a hazy sky at first and a full cloud cover by the end of the ride., which turned out to be very interesting.

On the way out I really enjoyed just taking it easy out there, knowing whatever I got in today was gravy since it was my 4th day in row out soaking in the hot sun.

I saw "The Knave" again (I've have seen him out there riding every day this week by the way) and that got me to thinking. Some of my regulars are missing this year for the first time in years! I have yet to see "The Girls" or "Wiener Dog Lady" which is very odd. "Black Socks Jogger Guy" is out there, but he no longer wears black socks for cryin' out loud. I shall now call him, "Silver-Haired Jogger Guy."

Passing the Franklin fire station on the way out to 7-Mile Rd. I vowed to myself to stop and chat and ask for fresh water from them if I saw someone out there. The doors to the firehouse are all open, but both on the way out and the way back in there was no one in sight so I pedaled onward.

Once I turned around on my little loop just south of 7-Mile Rd. I noticed what seemed to be a line of clouds to the north. I was thinking about doing a little exploring on County Line Rd., but when I saw that changing sky I thought I would just head straight back.

An empty livestock hauler pulled out in front of me at one point. The smell lingered in my nose for blocks and it wasn't pretty.

The birds seemed to be singing more than ever today. Perhaps they were calling for the rain. All kinds of them, many different from the usual ones I hear.

I was disappointed along the Franklin path, because I was all ready to enjoy some people watching on this nice hot summer day in there. The thing was empty! Maybe everyone is going to the opening day of Summerfest.

I decided on the way back that perhaps I could add a lap or two in Elm Grove if I wanted to hit 50 miles. The sky was getting full-on cloudy now, so much so that I passed on stopping at my favorite bench on the way back to eat my banana and granola bar. Instead, I ate while I rode like the pros do. I found that I am not very good at riding without hands on the bars. I was a bit shakey as I peeled the banana today!

No stop in Whitnall for laps to make 50 miles either. If I was going to get stuck in a downpour I wanted it to happen as close to home as possible.

I toyed with the idea of stretching it out into Elm Grove right up until the end, but after all these miles in all this heat, it was clear I was done. I was sore all over basically and didn't much want to continue. It was three hours non-stop out there on two bottles of fluid, which in this heat, is at least one bottle short. I even thought about stopping at home to drink, then going back out to hit 50. Then I made the call...that's silly....50, 43, what's the difference....I was beat and I knew it.

I downed an entire bottle of Powerade in about five gulps! I guess being a little dry didn't help how I felt out there at the end.

What a week though....

Monday-36  Tuesday-50  Wednesday-30  Thursday-43....and Friday's forecast is for sun and 90. Oh yeah, I'll be back out there, sore or not.