Like many places in the Northern Hemisphere we have been experiencing a heatwave the past week.

It has messed with cycling plans, both for Michel and I.

I just saw him and about a dozen riders off at 6 am local for “Prettiest Town” a 300 km Randonneur brevet.

Originally Michel was to do the ride Thursday but it was canceled the night before due to the temperature. As were the rides scheduled Friday.

Now everyone is off and rolling, including myself. I’m going out for a peppy 50 km ride just as soon as this post goes live.

It’s been a marvelous week of getting on both my bikes. I had a nice 10 km recovery ride on my road bike, Ethyl.

I’ve gotten back into utility cycling. I picked up some groceries Monday.

I discovered my commuter bike, Myrna, can easily carry two bags of groceries. I love just a click from a grocery store and it felt good to stretch myself into cycling more.

Tuesday I visited a friend and got a 6 km ride round trip.

Wednesday was Canada Day and VERY HOT. A friend was moving so I provided a cooler full of Gatorade on ice and linen handkerchiefs for blotting our sweaty brows. They worked marvelously.

Lucy has been getting walks in the morning and evening, avoiding the worst of the heat.

Thursday, with the change in Michel’s schedule, we walked Lucy then did strength training in our basement. It was a day of enjoying unexpected time together.

It was lovely in the evening so we went to the closest outdoor pool for a lane swim. It felt amazing.

Since I’m no longer racing in triathlons I just enjoy going through my drills and getting a few laps in. It’s about 600m in 30 minutes. I focus on my form and getting a full range of motion.

Friday was still hot so we got Lucy’s walk in early. I then invited Michel to bike with me to the pool for a 9 am laps session. It was busy but all the swimmers were familiar with sharing lanes and sorting out which speed lane they should be in.

Another 30 minutes or so and about the same distance felt good. My hamstrings complained as we biked home, extending out a bit to make the route a bit longer.

Walking, biking and swimming in the heat lead to a chill evening. Just what was needed for us to wake up at 4:30 this morning.

I’m loving the variety of activities, especially the availability of so many lane swim times so close to my house.

Yes, I prefer it to be in the high 20s rather than “feels like 48”. I am also loving time to be active with Michel outdoors.