Dealing with the HEAT

Hydration, but ditch the Camelbak if possible.
Synthetic clothing is a must if you don't already do this.

I think a lot comes down to acclimation. You still have to do through this process if you are used to cooler weather, just like you do for altitude.

I rode a lot last year in 95F temps, used sunscreen and didn't try to push too hard. It sucked at first but I felt fine after a few rides.

Your body does adjust to heat and like jcaino said, use synthetics. Your body wants to perspire to shed heat. If it doesn't evaporate, you can't do it well. Synthetics help this process.

If you live in a really humid environment, I don't know what to say. Not sure there is an answer.

I have been biking in central VA for a few weeks this summer and found that if i fill my camelback (100oz) with ice all the way then fill the rest with water it melts at a good rate that gives me cool water for a good 1-2 hour ride atleast...

also, I used to have long ass hair and a full beard, but I recently shaved it and its like having an a/c unit attatched to my face... so shave and you will be cooler and go faster proally... the faster you ride, the more air you hit which evaporates moisture which cools you so even though its hot pedal ur ass off maybe you feel cooler... i do...

drink a beer before you go out... somehow that helps me too but im not too sure why...

DriveByBikeShooting said:

drink a beer before you go out... somehow that helps me too but im not too sure why...

Click to expand...

The numbness effect.

get a trainer and ride inside. I hate the heat.

DriveByBikeShooting said:

I have been biking in central VA for a few weeks this summer and found that if i fill my camelback (100oz) with ice all the way then fill the rest with water it melts at a good rate that gives me cool water for a good 1-2 hour ride atleast...

also, I used to have long ass hair and a full beard, but I recently shaved it and its like having an a/c unit attatched to my face... so shave and you will be cooler and go faster proally... the faster you ride, the more air you hit which evaporates moisture which cools you so even though its hot pedal ur ass off maybe you feel cooler... i do...

drink a beer before you go out... somehow that helps me too but im not too sure why...

Click to expand...

I second the CamelBak. Fill it up with ice then the rest with water. The extra little bit of heat on your back will be canceled out by your nice cool core temperature from the ice water.

DriveByBikeShooting said:

I have been biking in central VA for a few weeks this summer and found that if i fill my camelback (100oz) with ice all the way then fill the rest with water it melts at a good rate that gives me cool water for a good 1-2 hour ride atleast...

also, I used to have long ass hair and a full beard, but I recently shaved it and its like having an a/c unit attatched to my face... so shave and you will be cooler and go faster proally... the faster you ride, the more air you hit which evaporates moisture which cools you so even though its hot pedal ur ass off maybe you feel cooler... i do...

drink a beer before you go out... somehow that helps me too but im not too sure why...

Click to expand...

A beer will more then likely raise your body temp and heart rate a tad. Maybe it jumps your temp up a little so its not so much of a dramatic change once you do get on the trail?

Does synthetic clothing help that much? I wear nothing but cotton shirts during my ride but it never occurred to me that a proper synthetic sport shirt might make that much of a difference.

I'm in Phoenix so it's now triple digits during the day but it's pretty dry. I went out last week during the late afternoon when it was 106 but I think the sun was the killer for me. I lug around a CB filled with 100oz of cold water but that didn't help my out of shape body from dealing with that heat.

I now ride early in the morning when it's cooler but it's a bit more humid and I noticed my cotton shirts aren't all that comfortable anymore I might have to check into these synth shirts, do you guys have any recommendations for some decent and reasonably priced ones? Thanks

The ditch the CK comment, is that because the CK is up against your back hindering the cooling of your body somewhat? I don't know, I don't think I could go without the water and tools I carry with it

Steady Grind said:

get a trainer and ride inside. I hate the heat.

Click to expand...

Funny, I just picked up a trainer just for that reason and after using it here and there, decided to change my hours around so I could wake up earlier to go ride. It's still hot and it's gonna get hotter but I'll try to keep riding outdoors for as long as I could physically take it.

Shouldn't my body somewhat get used to dealing with the heat....at least a little....

It is getting consistently into the 100s here in Louisiana early this summer (thanks to global warming). I don't find the heat unbearable, but with the traditionally very high humidity, sweat will do its job, it's a matter of acclimation. The worst part is when sweat gets in your eyes, the salt stings. Gotta fall in love with the shade of oak-covered trails and back-country roads too.

However cotton is unbearable while riding, you have got to wear synthetics or you'll be a rolling sweat mop. To my dismay I find that after my commute in the morning, my sweaty gloves, shorts, and jersey are not dry by quitting time now, and sometimes my gloves are not dry the next morning when I'm ready to commute to work again! Mildew is pretty gross and it irritates my allergies, so I am washing my gloves every other day now.

Tuff Gong said:

Does synthetic clothing help that much? I wear nothing but cotton shirts during my ride but it never occurred to me that a proper synthetic sport shirt might make that much of a difference.

I'm in Phoenix so it's now triple digits during the day but it's pretty dry. I went out last week during the late afternoon when it was 106 but I think the sun was the killer for me. I lug around a CB filled with 100oz of cold water but that didn't help my out of shape body from dealing with that heat.

I now ride early in the morning when it's cooler but it's a bit more humid and I noticed my cotton shirts aren't all that comfortable anymore I might have to check into these synth shirts, do you guys have any recommendations for some decent and reasonably priced ones? Thanks

The ditch the CK comment, is that because the CK is up against your back hindering the cooling of your body somewhat? I don't know, I don't think I could go without the water and tools I carry with it

Click to expand...

TunicaTrails said:

The worst part is when sweat gets in your eyes, the salt stings.

To my dismay I find that after my commute in the morning, my sweaty gloves, shorts, and jersey are not dry by quitting time now, and sometimes my gloves are not dry the next morning when I'm ready to commute to work again! Mildew is pretty gross and it irritates my allergies, so I am washing my gloves every other day now.

Click to expand...

I picked up a Halo II head band to try to keep the sweat out of my eyes and it sort of works. Granted it leaves a line across my forehead for a while after the ride but it's definitely better then just wearing a helmet.

http://store.haloheadband.com/Default.asp?Redirected=Y

Do you keep your wet gear indoors or out? I usually hang my gloves and stuff near an AC vent and it definitely dries it out in several hours. It needs to be hanging in a well ventilated area and sunlight always helps. Maybe it's the humidity difference between PHX and Louisiana even though we're talking about an airconditioned indoor climate

Tuff Gong said:

Does synthetic clothing help that much? I wear nothing but cotton shirts during my ride but it never occurred to me that a proper synthetic sport shirt might make that much of a difference.

I'm in Phoenix so it's now triple digits during the day but it's pretty dry. I went out last week during the late afternoon when it was 106 but I think the sun was the killer for me. I lug around a CB filled with 100oz of cold water but that didn't help my out of shape body from dealing with that heat.

I now ride early in the morning when it's cooler but it's a bit more humid and I noticed my cotton shirts aren't all that comfortable anymore I might have to check into these synth shirts, do you guys have any recommendations for some decent and reasonably priced ones? Thanks

The ditch the CK comment, is that because the CK is up against your back hindering the cooling of your body somewhat? I don't know, I don't think I could go without the water and tools I carry with it

Click to expand...

Ha! I used to live in Avondale in the mid to late 80's. I also lived on Luke AFB. The heat was crazy but it didn't seem to bother me as a kid. I left in July of '89 and one day a few weeks before I moved it got up to 123. It brings back a lot of good memories. I don't know how it is now but back in the day Arizona was an awesome place to be a kid.

I deal with heat by staying indoors. I really dislike sunshine.

queevil said:

Ha! I used to live in Avondale in the mid to late 80's. I also lived on Luke AFB. The heat was crazy but it didn't seem to bother me as a kid. I left in July of '89 and one day a few weeks before I moved it got up to 123. It brings back a lot of good memories. I don't know how it is now but back in the day Arizona was an awesome place to be a kid.

Click to expand...

lol, 123! Don't want to hijack so I sent you a PM

Hmm I thought you were talking about High Explosive Anti Tank,
Coming under shell fire while biking is pretty unlikely, but now you have pointed it out I am worried.

What is the best thing to do?

I currently have trouble riding in the UK as it is so warm, we broke 80 yesterday!

90's is'nt even considered hot here in Las Vegas. However, since I have experience riding in the heat I would suggest starting out taking it sort of easy, drinking plenty of water, using light colored loose fitting cool max type jerseys, light colored helmet, and endurolyte capsules for extended rides of more than a couple of hours. You will get used to the heat after a week or so and it won't seem like that big of a deal. Also wear sunscreen and try to limit direct exposure to sunlight whenever possible.

cripes, you guys are nuts! i stop functioning right at around 77...

zvh_MT said:

what are some strategies you guys use to deal with summer time heat?

Click to expand...

I ride in the middle of the night. Much cooler then.

CollegeCatholic said:

I second the CamelBak. Fill it up with ice then the rest with water. The extra little bit of heat on your back will be canceled out by your nice cool core temperature from the ice water.

Click to expand...

I'm not too keen on riding in the hot weather, but in an an Australian summer it's hard to avoid.

A variation on the ice in the hydration pack is to slip one of those liquid/gel ice packs (the type used to keep food cold) in next to the bladder in your hydration pack. They're slim, light & slow to defrost, keeping you supplied with cold (then cool) liquid for at least a couple of hours.