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It is become almost too hot to ride (temps - mid 90sF/mid 30sC), even in the mornings, resulting in my rides becoming sporadic at best, and nonexistent at worst. Indoor projects are now taking up leisure time, and the above ride was the last one I did before dropping the Vado off at the bike shop to have them install a longer hydralic brake cable for the left brake to accomodate my aftermarket riser stem. They told me their turnaround time was already out to 3 weeks, even with 4 mechanics working full time. I noticed that their formerly decimated store stock of bikes had been replenished a touch, but the place still looked like the aftermath of a fire sale. The new stock of bikes had been strategically placed at social distances to fill up all the empty retail space from what should have been tightly packed rows and rows of new bikes for sale. Apparently the incredible surge of bike sales (due to the Corona virus and stay-at-home orders) has not abated one bit. New bikes are still flying off the show room floor out the door the second the bike shops get stock in, and old bikes are being refurbished at a tremendous rate. Hence the very busy staff in the repair shop, and the 3 week turnaround time.
My LaFree looks very lonely in the garage by itself with no other bikes. At least it has the electric car to keep it company.
The lack of rain and incessant sun has dried up the lands, fields, and local streams and ponds. The corn fields are still growing, but starting to show signs of drought stress.
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The heat hadn't stopped other cyclists from enjoying last weekend's sunny bright weather. I think I counted over 30 cyclists, including one touring cyclist who stopped me to inquire directions to Middleburg enroute to his destination in Rockville, MD. He had gotten himself somewhat lost on these roads, and already looked to be somewhat exhausted by the heat. I sent him on his way via the most direct route, to which he was extremely grateful. I doubt there will be any cyclists out this weekend as temps are expected to hit 100°F/38°C
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"Making hay while the sun shines" has resulted in endless acres of hayed fields sporting 1,000 lb hay bales waiting for pick up and transport to commercial farm operations states away.
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There was a bit of excitement last weekend with the convergence of Civil War reenactors gathering at one of the big estates down the road for a bit of reenactment fun. There were horses and mules and 1860s artiliary and wagons in abundance, not to mention an impressive army of men marching here there and everywhere, toting antique firearms and all dressed in vintage 1860s Confederate or Union military uniforms which, to preserve historical accuracy, were all woolen. In the July heat. In Virginia's oppressive, soul-destroying July heat.
The original Civil War troops were forced to march and fight in Virginia's July heat. The modern reenator does it for fun.
I'm sure they had a grand old time. A few cars still remained at the encampment when I swung by at the start of my ride, but by the time I swung by again on my final leg home, the field was completely empty, bereft of all life, human and animal. Only the tire tracks pressed into the dried grass on the parched, hot field were evidence that anything had even been there at all that week.
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Right now the gravel roads are too dusty, and heat too oppressive, and the dangerously high temps forecast for the next week are all conspiring to keep me off my bike and holed up in the house with the AC.
Thus far, Mother Nature is winning, and I'm on a cycling sabbatical. I have a lot of sewing to do, making custom masks and clothing, etc. and other indoor projects, so I won't be kicking my heels with nothing to do while waiting for the temps to drop into reasonable cycling range. As soon as the weather does relent, I'll head back outside. Until then, I'll enjoy every one else's ebiking adventures.