I spent last weekend all by myself–the ladyfriend was visiting family in St. Louis. I love her so much, and I was also thrilled to have four full days in the house by myself to do whatever I wanted. Now, I do whatever I want all the time. I don’t have to wait for her to leave to sit on the couch watching terrible reality and eating a whole box of cookies, for example; she’s happy to share space with me as I am being myself, and I feel completely able to be fully myself, too. That’s my favorite part of this relationship. And yet, there’s something different about being truly alone, and I was so excited to have that time and space.

Except it was a heat wave, and we don’t have central AC. We have a window unit in the bedroom that turns it into an ice box, and one in the living room, that makes hearing the TV almost impossible, but at least it cools things down, and the ceiling fan is awesome. What really sucks about the high heat and humidity, for me, though, is that it makes Outside nearly unusable. So much for spending my alone time with my bike on the car, driving to various rail trails. It’s just not fun for me to be that hot.

I did take the bike out on Saturday, a quick ride down the hill to join N. and B. for brunch. I love their company, and I’m so lucky to call them family. They were like, join us at the pool! but it was too hot to sit outside for me. I am a delicate flower. So I decided to take a bike ride instead. Lols.

I was already on the other side of I83, so I decided to tool around West Baltimore for a bit, take Lafayette as far west as I could, see where it ends. I hadn’t been on an aimless ride to neighborhoods I don’t frequent in awhile, and it was so much fun. I was beaming in the sunshine, the smell of my sunscreen almost masking the trash smell that is unavoidable in weather like this.

I got off my bike to walk as I neared Pennsylvania Avenue, and to check out this small festival that was being set up. A guy from the church came up to me, invited me to join them for hot dogs, hamburgers, lemonade, the works. He was so friendly. I love anonymous friendliness–giving and taking it–and gave him a big smile, told him I’d stop by after my ride, and then pedaled on my way.

I rode along Lafayette, up and down, across the main streets of Fulton and Monroe, over the train tracks, until I felt like turning right, which I did, at Braddish. I zigged and zagged, up and down, and then I was getting too hot. I was sucking down water, but at a certain point it just isn’t enough. My heart was pounding, barely slowing at red lights. It was time to head back, so I turned and went east again.

I was stopped at the light at Monroe when a kid, maybe 12 years old, yelled at me. “Why are you doing that???” He meant why was I riding my bike in this heat. “You should be in a pool.” He was headed to the pool, but you have to have a code to get into the pool, and it was clear he had the code, but I didn’t. If I’d asked, I’m sure he would have let me in with him, but I shrugged, told him he was right, wise beyond his years, and then I kept riding, his question ringing in my ears: WHY ARE YOU DOING THAT?

It took me quite awhile to get home. I stopped to rest in some shady spots, drank all the water I had with me, and ran through my list of friends with cars who might be able to come get me. At this point I was only like two miles from home, I can do this, I thought. And I did, but it was not pleasant, and by the time I got home I was getting the chills. I rolled my bike into the basement, turned on the AC unit, drank water, took a cold shower to cool off, and that was my big physical activity for the weekend. I had so much fun pedaling around and chit chatting with folks, but I learned my lesson, again: when it’s a high heat warning, it also applies to me, no matter how much I want to ride my bike. Choose a less hilly option, bring more water, and maybe don’t go out from 2-4pm, the hottest part of the day. Stay safe out there, folks!