The temperatures soar
It’s too hot to play
So the bikes stay inside
All those hot, hot miserable days.
South Florida living has it’s advantages for riding. The warm temperatures and sunny skies provide easy riding conditions most of the year. And then comes summer. I like to think that we’re just upside down here – we summer our bikes instead of wintering them. Between scorching temperatures, sudden severe thunderstorms and the occasional hurricane, summer riding can be a bit unpredictable. Temperatures can drop 20 degrees in a thunderstorm cell – sending you from the verge of dehydration to bone chilling wet in seconds. And when the thunderstorm clears, steam apparitions float up from the asphalt – fogging goggles and face shields while creating a sauna inside your rain suit. The most amazing thing about Florida thunderstorms is that you could ride in and out of several over the course of the day. If it’s sunny at home when we leave, it could be pouring rain 10 miles down the road. At least you can see them coming and pull over to suit up or find a place to stop and let it pass over – usually less than an hour.
Summer conditions truncate riding to morning or evening mini-rides and my daily commute to work. So what do we do when it’s too hot to ride all day but we still want to be outdoors? Get thee to the water – we’re 20 minutes from the ocean and Florida also has an abundance of state parks and waterways from Key West to the Panhandle. What better way to explore than on an ocean kayak?
And so an 18 wheeler arrived at our house one morning and disgorged a 14 foot package onto our driveway. Now how are going to fit the kayak in a garage already filled with toys?
The weekend finally arrived to launch our maiden voyage. Kayak secured to the Explorer and Florida State Park pass in hand, we headed out only to be turned away because the park was full. Bummer. When we returned a few hours later, the park had cleared out a bit and we headed to the marina. Whenever I think my day is tough, I just have to look around to see that someone else has it just a bit tougher. Can you imagine coming back in from a leisurely day of boating to find this and a note on your windshield?
After banging paddles together for a while we began to learn the different angles and how to paddle in a rhythm. There’s a little inlet at the park around the corner from the marina. After paddling down this and back for practice we ventured out into the Intracoastal Waterway. Used by all kinds of water craft, we shared the waterway with yachts, power boats, sailboats, fishing boats, jet skis, and even a huge freighter. 
It was a fun afternoon and we’re looking forward to our next trip today. Now if we can just figure out how to get on and off the kayak out on the water…
Anyone else think it’s ever too hot to ride?
kayaking, fantastic!!!
i have family in AZ and i’ve rode thru Salt Lake during mid summer, so i’d say yes. for me, there’s times when it’s just too hot to ride. i’ve done it, i’ll continue to do it im sure, but it sucks everything out of me. kayaking is a fantastic alternative to hot asphalt if you want to play in the elements. i know i loved trying it recently. hope you have a blast!!!
Hey mq: the kayaking was fun and relaxing. We’re working on building up our paddling strength to go longer distances. Today we’re headed out on the bikes trying to dodge the rain drops.