Before I get into the details of today’s post, I need you to focus on the image above. Pay particular attention to the temperature reading.

Damn, it was hot this weekend.

Onto the post:

This coming fall, I will be turning 40 years old. It’s not really a big deal for me, as I’ve always thought that age is a function of your actions, not some date on a calendar. I’ve been lucky to have my health, great family, and the resources to do most anything that tickles my fancy. I’ve never felt either young or old and simply acted as “me” instead of acting my age.

Cycling has been a part of my life for so long that it usually feels timeless while riding my bike. It brings back enough memories of my youth – the thrill of independence and the joy of pushing my body – that I forget it is over 25 years later since I first started riding. It’s what keeps me riding as I can feel both young and current at the same time.

Recent circumstances have limited my time in the bike. Last year was a great year for riding and I averaged a good 3-4 rides each week. This year has been a challenge, where my time in the saddle has been limited to weekends only and I sit with only about 2/3 of the miles in my legs as 2010. I’m still riding when I can, but the rides seem more like a struggle than a reward for efforts previously made.

This past weekend presented both the standard challenges on the bike, but also introduced heat into the experience. The heat brought on the realization that I am not the young man that I once was. It gave me a quick sense that I need to exhibit some amount of care when pushing my body in more extreme conditions. Riding around on a bike while the temperatures near 100F and humidity levels prevent any beneficial cooling is not a worry-free task. I’m in good enough shape to do it, but realize that I need to be ever mindful of how my body is reacting to the challenges.

While riding the Spectator Ride in Menomonie, I pulled up to another rider and noticed he was an older fellow (although looked incredibly fit). We were talking about the usual things and he mentions that last year he rode 80 miles on his 80th birthday.

I want nothing more than to say the same thing. Thus, I need to be smart about my choices while riding in conditions that are considered extreme – either hot or cold.