Summer solstice was June 21, but the heat that’s normally in August arrived early to Austin and Central Texas. With multiple days over 100 F even before the official start of the sucky season, we’re sweating to the oldies two months early. Last year was the second hottest summer on record here, so pessimism for pain is high. So much for the slow descent into hell which gives us time to adjust. Mix in the urban heat island effect (thanks to so many people moving here and all the concrete from constructing more roads and houses), the El Nino weather pattern, and of course global warming, and it’s a recipe for hotness. What’s a bikin’ dude, and his trusty Fuji Finest bicycle dubbed Sommar, to do?

Bike at night, mostly. While I try to get my morning walk in relatively early for the natural melatonin, I’ve mostly been riding after dark for a while. Sometimes I have occasion to run errands, though, and twice in a week I’ve overheated and needed to cool my core temperature down inside Yellow Bike Project (which has big ceiling fans but no air conditioning) and Sun and Ski Sports. Despite sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat that covers the back of my neck (it looks goofy, but I don’t care), plenty of water, and hydration fluids and a cold shower after, there’s no escaping the scorching temperatures.

I’ve written about biking in the heat in 2018, in 2020, and again in 2022. They key word to search for in August is “hot”. Those may be useful posts, especially if it’s winter down under or wherever you are. I’m mostly here to complain about it today, though. Every spring I think about leaving. And then remember when I did, to Vermont for college, Seattle, Massachusetts and Washington, DC, I found myself living in places that also got very cold, dark, and wet. So I came back to Texas, and this stint I haven’t left in a long time. The idea of summering–a verb by and for the wealthy if ever there were one–sounds lovely. These days that takes money, something in short supply in Adudeabikesville. (That’s not a real place. Yet.)

So, I gut it out, like everyone else living below the Mason-Dixon line, and above it when there are heat waves. Mother Nature does whatever she wants. I know it’s super hot for much of the time in many countries, and I have air conditioning to escape to. File this under developed nation privilege problems. And, yet it’s still a problem. Heat-related illness is a real thing.

In 2022, 259 people died due to the heat, and half of them were not Texans, according to the Texas Tribune. They were largely migrants who died of exposure trying for a better life in the USA. That was the second highest death toll ever since 1897 and after 2011, which had 90 days of 100+ F. Google it if you don’t believe me, but the earth is getting hotter due to human influence. (And it’s still round, too.)

The Accuweather graph shows 12 days this month over 100 F, with three more forecast. Fortunately, we did get some rain because when it gets that hot and humid, the moisture can collide with heat and fall to the earth as what I like to call skywater. Curiously, only seven 100+ days are forecast for July, and only four in August. We’ll see about that. Point is, Sommar, the used 1998 vintage Fuji Finest bike I was gifted, is the best choice for me to ride. Her 23 mm skinny tires and relatively light but sturdy steel frame are faster than Sonnie the GT. Strava stats bear that out.

But in the heat, speed is not that important. Sure, breaking wind is great–creating your own breeze, i mean. When the body is drenched in sweat after 15 minutes, even after dark, one goes at the speed that their body allows. It’s all about surviving and making it home to a cold shower and air conditioning. I’m very grateful to have those.

Here’s an image of last night’s ride. The “feels like” temperature was 102 F at 8:05 pm.

If you’re out there bicycling or doing other activities in the heat, of course you know to be extra careful wth hydration and sunscreen. I leave you with some other recent images. And if you aren’t already, you’re always welcome to follow me on Strava. I hope yall will stay frosty out there, or at least when you’re back home.

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