Is it all a matter of degree?

As cyclists, we\’re bound to spend quite a lot of time outdoors; and that means paying close attention to the weather.

Are the skies fair; or will it rain? Is it calm, or windy? If the latter, how strong is that wind; and at what point in the ride will it be a headwind? What\’s the temperature? And, are we talking about Fahrenheit or Centigrade?

In the USA we use Fahrenheit, but most of the rest of the world uses Centigrade (aka Celsius). It seems a bit strange to me to read about the day Tom Simpson died during the 1967 Tour de France; and see that 40 degrees is considered warm. In fact, doing the conversion, 40 degrees Celsius is downright hot; 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

And was that before factoring in humidity? Here, if the thermometer read 104 degrees on a swelteringly humid day, it would seem even hotter than that. In fact, I\’m we\’d have a heat advisory in effect! In humid conditions, perspiration doesn\’t evaporate; and we all go around enveloped in our own personal saunas.

High humidity also makes cold weather seem colder. Your very bones feel chilled. I, for one, feel sluggish in cold weather; and have no patience with the argument that \”cold weather makes you feel perked up\”. It. Does. NOT!! Not in this humid climate.

It\’s 40 degrees, you say? Let me know whether that\’s Fahrenheit or Celsius, so I\’ll know how to dress. It\’s a matter of degree.