Today when I got home from having lunch with my family, the thermometer read: 99.9. I waited and did a few chores, checking back on the thermometer from time to time. Finally… 100 F (that’s a hunnert here in Texas).
I can’t remember when we’ve had triple digits this early before, but despite all the dire thoughts about global warming that this conjures, I was kind of excited. Why would anyone be excited about triple digit temps, you ask (or I imagine you asking anyway)?
Cycling. I love cycling and one of my favorite things is riding during the hottest part of a summer afternoon. Usually, I’ve finished writing for the day and being on my bike for an hour or two gives me the chance to think about whatever I’m writing, to work through story and character problems, and also to just burn off energy and enjoy the feel of the searing sky and still air. I find it cleansing.
Today, the sky was full of clouds so there were occasional respites from the sun, but those never came while pushing uphill. It was deliciously hot, and I’m kind of worn out now – I only did about twelve miles – but what a wonderful feeling to feel so close to the sun.
I’ll be sick of this by October when it finally cools off, but for now there’s nothing quite like triple digits while cycling the trails and streets of my little corner of this oven we call central Texas.
James Brush is a teacher and writer who lives in Austin, TX. He tries to get outside as much as possible.
And I thought I was the only one who loves the heat. I love to run in it around Town Lake, but the result is the same.
I can’t handle running in this kind of heat. I’m not fast enough to generate enough windchill, I guess.
[…] After a week of “hunnert” degree temperatures this week, my husband and I will be hitting the deck chairs of Lake Tahoe. Apparently the 1960 Winter Olympics were held close to where we’re staying. […]