Ben's Blog

Today’s “weekly ride to work”

Update: I re-measured my wheel circumference, and discovered that the cycle computer thought my wheel’s circumference was 3.7% less than it really is. I’ve updated all the statistics for the “go to work” rides.

AM Climate: 74 degrees, 79% RH
Distance: 14.39 Miles 14.92 Miles
Ride (moving) Time: 48:35
Total Time: 54:00
Avg Speed: 17.77 MPH 18.42 MPH
Max Speed: 38.7 MPH 40.1 MPH

PM Climate: 78 degrees, 68% RH (Forecast)
Distance: 14.40 Miles 14.93 Miles
Ride (moving) Time: 57:52
Total Time: 1:01:05
Avg Speed: 14.93 MPH 15.48 MPH
Max Speed: 35.8 MPH 37.1 MPH

Fortunately, the weather forecast below did not come true; I made it home dry (as far as rain is concerned, anyway):

Severe Weather Alert from the National Weather Service
…SEVERE WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE UPTON NY445 AM EDT TUE AUG 26 2003

THE STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS PLACED MOST OF THE TRI-STATE AREA IN A SLIGHT RISK FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FOR LATER TODAY. ONLY THE EASTERN PART OF SUFFOLK COUNTY ON LONG ISLAND AS WELL AS NEW HAVEN… MIDDLESEX AND NEW LONDON COUNTIES IN CONNECTICUT REMAIN OUTSIDE OF THIS INCREASED THREAT AREA.

THE COMBINATION OF A WARM AND MOIST AIRMASS ALREADY IN PLACE OVER THE REGION AND AN APPROACHING SURFACE TROUGH WILL PRODUCE ENOUGH INSTABILITY TO ALLOW STRONG AND POSSIBLY SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS TO DEVELOP THIS AFTERNOON INTO THIS EVENING. THESE STORMS COULD BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 58 MPH OR LARGE HAILOF PENNY SIZE OR GREATER. AREAS OF VERY HEAVY RAINFALL WILL ALSO BE POSSIBLE WITH THESE STORMS.

THOSE WITH OUTDOOR PLANS AND ACTIVITIES SHOULD STAY ALERT TO RAPIDLY CHANGING SKY CONDITIONS AND SEEK SHELTER IMMEDIATELY IF THREATENING WEATHER IS OBSERVED. SKYWARN SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED FOR THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING….