Our first official ride of the summer saw us heading out in heat that is more common in late July or August.  When we rode around 11, the temperature was already hitting 90 degrees and still climbing.  So why didn’t we get up early and ride when the temperature was down in the mid-70s?  The answer is humidity.  At 6:00 AM the humidity was 95%.  Heading out into such humidity is like walking into soup.  So which is worse?  High humidity but more comfortable temperatures?  Or high heat with lower humidity?  The debate continues.

            Our ride Saturday showed that the heat was uncomfortable.  Bill was so hot after just pulling the motorcycles out of the garage, he opted not to wear his Alpinestars jacket under his Klim.  I wore mine with the zipper down to my waist, but I wish I hadn’t.  As we headed out, I noted big, fluffy cumulus clouds dotting the blue sky; there were many, but they seemed averse to covering the sun.

            I had noted at my house that there weren’t many animals about, and that trend continued during our ride.  I didn’t see any squirrels and only spotted one brave cabbage white butterfly hovering low over some clover.  Late in the ride I did spot an osprey either hunting or enjoying the cooler temperature high up in the air.  Down low, there was no relief from the heat.  Usually, as we ride, the wind provides some comforting cool air, but not in today’s heat.  The wind buffeting me was warm air and offered no relief.

            We avoided slow speed maneuvers, but the constant heat during the ride made it seem like all we were doing was slow speed maneuvers.  When we parked the bikes and I was taking off my gear, my arm held onto the pattern of the Alpinestars sleeve as the heat had plastered it against my arm.  My thought after the ride was that I want to try the high humidity and lower temperature because the high heat just zapped me.  Feel free to comment as to which you think is better for riding—heat or humidity.

            Of course, as we move deeper into summer, soon the heat and humidity will work together to make any ride swampy and miserable.  But even in the heat of summer, I still look cool riding my motorcycle (LOL)!