I love when those who read weather forecasts (and call themselves "meteorologists" when they parrot meteorological prognostications) talk about "gusty breezes". They've been using that phrase a lot lately. To me, it's still in the same category as "military intelligence", "dietetic candy", "nuclear safety" and "true love".
Anyway, I heard it again in today's weather report. There was indeed something blowing when I went out for a ride today. Was it a wind or a breeze? I don't know. What I can say about it, though, was that I pedaled against it out to Rockaway Beach. Then it blew to my left side as I pedaled out to Point Lookout, and to my right on my way back to Rockaway Beach. Then I rode it home.
Even when I pedaled into it, the wind (or breeze) wasn't onerous. If anything, the bright sun--which has grown strong as we near the summer solistice--had more of an effect on my melanin-deficient (as an old African-American riding partner once jokingly described me) skin.
Strong sun came with a clear sky. It was the kind of day in which everything seemed to stretch in front of me as I rode. For one thing, I rode the entire length of the new Rockaway Boardwalk, which opened for the first time a couple of weeks ago. Actually, disconnected stretches of it have been open for the past couple of years. Nearly all of it was destroyed in the wake of Superstorm Sandy; there was basically no boardwalk for most of 2013.
Still, I have a hard time calling it a "boardwalk", though I do like its sort-of-Op Art look. Its surface is better for cycling, except for one thing: Sand collects in patches of it. If you're riding a mountain bike or cruiser, it's not a problem. But if you're on a skinny-tired (even 700X28!) road bike, they might cause you to skid or stop altogehter.
It was nice to see it stretch in front of me, though--and, more important, ride it all the way to Lawrence and the bridge to Atlantic Beach.
All along the South Shore of Nassau County, the sea and sky seemed to extend everywhere, in every direction, from the windows of bars and restaurants in Long Beach, the bungalows of Lido Beach--and, of course, from Point Lookout.
A good ride was had by all.
Anyway, I heard it again in today's weather report. There was indeed something blowing when I went out for a ride today. Was it a wind or a breeze? I don't know. What I can say about it, though, was that I pedaled against it out to Rockaway Beach. Then it blew to my left side as I pedaled out to Point Lookout, and to my right on my way back to Rockaway Beach. Then I rode it home.
Even when I pedaled into it, the wind (or breeze) wasn't onerous. If anything, the bright sun--which has grown strong as we near the summer solistice--had more of an effect on my melanin-deficient (as an old African-American riding partner once jokingly described me) skin.
Strong sun came with a clear sky. It was the kind of day in which everything seemed to stretch in front of me as I rode. For one thing, I rode the entire length of the new Rockaway Boardwalk, which opened for the first time a couple of weeks ago. Actually, disconnected stretches of it have been open for the past couple of years. Nearly all of it was destroyed in the wake of Superstorm Sandy; there was basically no boardwalk for most of 2013.
Still, I have a hard time calling it a "boardwalk", though I do like its sort-of-Op Art look. Its surface is better for cycling, except for one thing: Sand collects in patches of it. If you're riding a mountain bike or cruiser, it's not a problem. But if you're on a skinny-tired (even 700X28!) road bike, they might cause you to skid or stop altogehter.
It was nice to see it stretch in front of me, though--and, more important, ride it all the way to Lawrence and the bridge to Atlantic Beach.
All along the South Shore of Nassau County, the sea and sky seemed to extend everywhere, in every direction, from the windows of bars and restaurants in Long Beach, the bungalows of Lido Beach--and, of course, from Point Lookout.
A good ride was had by all.
No comments:
Post a Comment