Africa Hot

"Man it's hot. It's like Africa hot. Tarzan couldn't take this kind of hot."

I've grown soft in my old age. 15 years ago I was living in Dallas and temps in the low 90's would have been a wistful memory in July and I still would have ridden for 4 hours. But that was then, this is now.

Yesterday we drove to Milwaukee for the day and it was comfortable. A late lunch at Cafe Lu Lu, a trip to the aquarium, smoothies and a breve by the marina were in our itinerary. I though it would be rude not to call Rick & Liz since we were in their 'hood. They were doing their version of dealing with the heat by sitting in an air conditioned movie theater for the afternoon. After the movie we met them for dinner and drinks (mostly ice water) at Riviera Maya. We rolled back into Madison just after 10pm and it was still in the mid-80's.

Today Karen decided she was leaving tomorrow. Relax, it is nothing dramatic, she turned in her bound dissertation Friday and will be returning in time to prep for her August 20th defence date. I gassed up the Jetta, drove it through the carwash, cleaned the windows and vacuumed it free of sand. We sorted the camping gear into theirs and mine so I'd have what I need for the race weekends and they'd have something in case the hotels are full. I'll miss the Jetta... and the girls too.

I just talked to Stuart about 24/9. I had an email from Richard and he's more inclined to do a solo if the 4 person falls though for me. Stuart was open to the idea to a 3 person team but he is going to pursue one more guy and should have an answer by the end of the week. I sent an email off to a woman coming in from Cali in response to her needing a mechanic for her solo. I'm confident I could mechanic for half the field for the night without any theatrics, but knowing the psychology of riders it would be better to keep single digit riders happy. Stuart sounded cool with the idea of extending hospitality to her but I would hesitate to assume it would include his RV. I should ask first.

Anyway, tomorrow the girls will be on the road to Seattle so after work I can hit the road on the Seven until dark.

Then I'll drink a gallon of ice water and sleep in front of the window AC unit. I'm telling you it's that hot.