Jacket weather in July

It was too cold to ride in the morning and, in fact, still too cold at noon.  Eventually we got started about 1:30pm but even at that time it was still jacket weather into the wind.

Independence Day is two days away and almost every July 4th weather memory that I have is of hot, hot, hot and sultry, sultry, sultry.

It was jacket weather into the wind and the wind was pretty strong.  We got to a suitable turn around just about the time the temperatures must have been peeking above 70.

There is a really pretty park on the shores of Island Lake.  As soon as we stopped we both pulled our jackets off.  It seemed pretty evident that the return trip with the wind at our backs was going to sans jackets.

That's the GRider zipping the sleeves off her removable sleeve jacket.

On the other side of the camera I was practicing my jacket folding skills to get the new orange Specialized jacket down to a size manageable in my jersey middle rear pocket.

This was another stretch ride for GRider and as we neared home she announced that she had, indeed, had enough.  No running up and down the stairs necessary for the rest of the day, she is sufficiently exercised.

Me too.

Two days without futbol?

But Friday!  France v. Deutschland and Brasil v. Columbia.

The Germans are not without flaws.  They play a back four composed solely of players who for their club teams all play center back.  That leaves the left and right backs playing out of position and it sometimes shows.  They are undeniably strong on the attack with many options, each and every one a very good player.  On the other hand France is very, very solid, a legitimate quarter-finalist.  The primary French striker Benzema plays that same position for the European and world club champions Real Madrid.  He is clearly an absolute first rank talent.  France is missing due to injury their midfield stalwart Ribery (plays that same position for last year's European and world club champions Bayern Munich) but the 5 or sometimes 4 midfielders France has been putting on the pitch have performed very well to this point in the tournament.  This is why they play the games, it is the only way to find out for sure who wins.  Any guessing before the game is only guessing.

In the other game I am going to go ahead and guess Columbia.  This kid James (apparently pronounced Hahm-ahs) has already scored one of the greatest goals of the tournament and Columbia has already completely clinched the award for best team celebrations after scoring a goal.  These guys can d-a-n-c-e.  Against Brasil in Brasil is a big ask for ANY South American side but after having seen Chile take Brasil to penalty kicks to decide Brasil's previous game I find myself liking Columbia's chances.  This kid James may just show us all something special.