Well, I was wrong.
This past week I've ridden through 108-110 degree afternoons with super-heated air blasting every part of my body, and it has not been fun at all.
The Wind Char Factor has roasted me alive.
When the temps are in the lower 90s, the open air tends to chill you down a bit. It seems like it would be hot out there on those days, but it's pretty comfortable -- at least while you're moving. But there has been NO chill factor during this "Texas is hotter than hell" summer. I've felt like I've been seared like a steak, roasted like a hot dog, boiled like a chicken, and fried like chicken-fried steak, smothered in country gravy and served with a monster baked potato on the side.
May I have a tall glass of iced tea to go with that order, please? Thank you.
(WARNING: The next part of this essay requires me to use math. Since I don't do math, there's no telling what will happen. You have been warned.)
In the winter when it's 32 degrees outside and I'm riding down the highway going 70, the Wind Chill Factor makes it feel like 8 degrees. That's a drop of 24 degrees and butt cold, let me tell ya'. When I come to a stop, the air feels much warmer, and I wiggle my frozen toes to make sure they haven't broken off.
Using reverse logic, if the Winter Wind Chill Factor causes the temperature to decrease by 24 degrees, then the Summer Wind CHAR Factor causes the temperature to RISE by 24 degrees.
Ergo, if it's 105 in the afternoon out on the road and I'm going 70 mph, then the Wind Char Factor makes it feel like 129 degrees. When I come to a stop, the air feels much cooler, and I pat out any flames that might be inching up my legs.
And what have I learned from riding through this Texas summer heatwave? I have learned that if Hell is anything like this, then I better go to church more often.
See ya' out on the road!
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