Plywood Wind

I guess I made up that description, or name. Yesterday was one of those days with DANGEROUS winds forecasted, and delivered. Dangerous is gusts to 60 mph, sustained of 35-50. So, what do you do on a day like that? You ride your bike!

I had announced to the Clovis bike list that I would be mtbing on Tuesdays at Ned Houk, trail running at NH on Wednesdays, and a 20-40 mile road or dirt road ride on Thursdays. Tuesday was great, one easy lap of a 2.2 mile course, then a fast four laps. Wednesday was a great day for a distraction from bikes, and the trail run was just what I needed. 5 miles, and I'm still sore. It's been a few months since I ran last. And next came the promised ride for Thursday.

The wind predictions started on base on Wednesday; this sounds serious. Having been here for a couple of months, I've noticed that the winds will usually subside a bit or completely, by 5 pm. Even the high predictions will settle a bit. So, with all the wind predicted to be from the west, I rode straight into the 15 mph wind on the way to work, and planned to follow my ride announcement after work.

YES! The plywood wind settled to 25-35 out of the west, by time I left the office at 530. I rode to the meeting intersection, and waited for anyone else, until the 6:00 pm departure time. I left at 6:02, and turned into the wind, for 8 miles. Nice, mostly hard packed dirt road, then turned right, left, then tail wind east for 8 miles!. It was a great ride, and I consider it an 8 mile climb (with my wind hill theory). A great 35 mile ride, and on the DANGEROUS WINDS day.

Plywood wind? Well, after watching all types of items flying around out here, I think plywood would launch around 50 mph. Maybe I'll test that someday, if I decide not to ride.

Now I'm thinking I should run a little today, to get rid of that soreness from my random running.

Moo!