The heat...

[1FG rider]

Originally Posted by Jman

Any secrets you wanna share?

Stay cool by riding at the beach
Let's bust out the cruisers...

[Zonacat]

I started my riding life in Tucson. I used to ride every day in the summer during summer school at UofA. I started out riding in the early morning or late evening to "beat the heat", but found I encountered WAY too many rattlesnakes during those hours.

So I had a decision, ride with the little biters, or ride in the middle of the day. I chose the middle of the day.

Got to the point that I loved it. I could ride in 115 degree heat for hours. Tricks I learned (pre-hydration pak) were to freeze my water bottles solid before heading out. I would hydrate heavily prior to riding, burn through the frozen bottles (which would thaw quickly) during the ride, and always have water in the car (usually pretty warm) for after the ride.

[6packguywith5spot]

Today's high here at work in El Cajon, California, East of San Diego, is about 100.

I am glad I am inside and not riding. Humidity is 85%. Go figure what an ugly combination that is.

Stay indoor, and drink lots of cold beers. Forget riding for a while.
Ali

Originally Posted by Jman

Well I just got back from an hour long ride around the local dirt roads and man it is HOT! In the 100's for sure. While I was out there sweating away and feeling the heat beating on my cheeks as it was reflected back at me from the dirt/rocks I got to thinking about whether it was really all that safe to be out there!
I'm curious what the opinions are of my fellow STRers? Ride or don't ride...and when should the cut off be. I like exercising in the heat...but over a hundred may be a bit much. And as a follow-up what does everyone do to stay hydrated/safe in the heat when you've just gotta ride and its 110 degrees? Any secrets you wanna share?

[EJ_92606]

I store my camelback bladder in the freezer and leave enough water in it so I have a nice big ice cube for each ride. It takes longer to melt than adding regular ice cubes. Another side benefit, mold can't grow in the freezer!

[KeepsWhatHappens]

When it's hot I always pre-freeze two bottles of Heed so I have cold liquids during the ride. I take a couple Endurolytes 1 hour before riding and also drink a bottle of Heed during the hour prior to a ride.

Personally, while I don't enjoy the heat, I often make a point of riding in it (sometimes in the heat of the middle of the day) to get used to it. I just throttle my pace back a bit and drink a little more than usual. On strenuous hot rides I will intake 3-4 Endurolytes per hour.

Hammer also makes a product called Liquid Endurance which supposedly helps during the heat but I haven't needed to try it yet.

[BoingBoing]

Originally Posted by Frozen208

Heat Stoke Symptoms:

• the absence of sweating...

This is the only symptom I trust myself to spot. If I ever stop sweating I'll know I'm in deep doo doo.

I'm lucky that I don't have to force myself to drink. Some people do. You can weigh yourself naked before and after a ride to see if you drink enough. If you weigh less after, something went out that didn't go in. If the difference is more than 2%, you're not drinking enough.

I drink a sports drink so I don't have to worry about electrolytes. Just tooth decay.

[northshore]

I can't ride in this heat. I know my body way too well. I sweat so much I'll look like Sponge Bob when he nearly died on the drafting table at the end of the movie.

[DBD]

Ahhh look at that ... it is now down to 103.6 (at almost 7pm) in our back yard.

Originally Posted by northshore

I can't ride in this heat. I know my body way too well. I sweat so much I'll look like Sponge Bob when he nearly died on the drafting table at the end of the movie.

For me, I sweat that much if it is 30F, 15mph winds and snowing or 120F and dry.

I like the heat. A good 1 to 2 hour mid day ride when it is >105 is perfect. Reminds of the 115+ days riding the trails around South Mtn and a few other spots in Phoenix. I loved the heat let alone racing out at Firebird Raceway in 120+ temps and full leathers was a fun time.

Just stay hydrated and listen to your body, it will let you know when it is time to call it a day. Most people I have known to get hit hard by the heat tend to ignore the signs and keep pushing on or they do not prepare well for a ride in high temps.

For my hydration I will drink 12oz of an endurance drink 10min prior to my ride and I like to use 100oz of water in the pack and Endurathon in a bottle for rides longer then 2hrs.

Back in the day when I would ride 9 to 12hrs a day I would use 130oz pack with water, 2 bottles of a sports drink, 3energy bars, 3 RippedFuel/1 pre-ride/1 about an hr in and another about half way through (before ephedra was taken off the shelf) and I would always carry cash so if I needed I could stop at a store to pick up some food and drink. I would also become acquainted with some of the residents along my routes so I could stop in and use their hoses to help keep cool.

[Padre]

My 66 year old father just did 18 miles from his house in Tustin through Peter's and back and his 36lb Heckler. That was at 4 o'clock.

Yesterday, he did the same loop at 2pm.

[OldDogDan]

Here's the only thing I can think to add: Tomorrow I'm making sure to ride where there are some trees, so I can take a break in the shade if necessary.

[Jordansrealm]

It hit 118 here in Phoenix today... bleh

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by Padre

My 66 year old father just did 18 miles from his house in Tustin through Peter's and back and his 36lb Heckler. That was at 4 o'clock.

Yesterday, he did the same loop at 2pm.

why is dad riding a little wheeled bike

ps. Just got back from a ride on the SCST

nice and cool down here

[sdyeti]

I agree with Zonacat...I lived in Mesa for a year. I rode in 110 degrees with a little acclimation and was fine (of course with lots of water and adequate preparation).

You will be surprised what the human body can tolerate.

With that said, you have to acclimate slowly and in small-ish doses...

[Dan White]

I spent several summers in N.E. Scottsdale and rode most afternoons; temps up to 108 degrees (over that and it was too hot). I took plenty of water and rode easy. Biggest problem I had was sore feet; they would swell from the heat. I started using cushioned insoles and that helped.
It is harder to take it easy on a hot ride here in So. Cal because many of our favorite rides have some serious climbs. Best advice, push an easy gear and hydrate.

[L8 APEKS]

Originally Posted by Jman

Well I just got back from an hour long ride around the local dirt roads and man it is HOT! In the 100's for sure. While I was out there sweating away and feeling the heat beating on my cheeks as it was reflected back at me from the dirt/rocks I got to thinking about whether it was really all that safe to be out there!
I'm curious what the opinions are of my fellow STRers? Ride or don't ride...and when should the cut off be. I like exercising in the heat...but over a hundred may be a bit much. And as a follow-up what does everyone do to stay hydrated/safe in the heat when you've just gotta ride and its 110 degrees? Any secrets you wanna share?

My body is pretty good at telling me when "enough is enough" in the heat.

1) I am noticeably weaker and I tucker out much quicker

2) My water intake goes up exponentially on hot rides...if I'm going through nearly 100oz on Fully Loop, I know it's damn hot!

3) I get dizzy! I mean, more than I normally am.

And if it's WAY too hot outside, sometimes that's enough of a deterrent anyway and I won't even ride at all!

Be safe out there...heat stroke isn't treated with the seriousness it deserves. May wanna grab a buddy or two before heading out on a solo epic in 100+ heat. It would suck to get the bonk 20 miles from civilization!

[DISCO]

this is why I bought lights, but this time of year I just do sleeves and wear a hat on the climbs.

[dkr92886]

I'll ride Chino Hills at lunchtime and the heat doesn't bother me. I just make sure I carry lots of water. It's either that or stay and work. The answer is easy.

[b-40]

Originally Posted by Frozen208

Here is a list of the common symptoms for heat exhaustion and stroke.

Heat Exhaustion

• heavy sweating
• paleness
• muscle cramps
• tiredness
• weakness
• dizziness
• headache
• nausea or vomiting
• fainting

Heat Stoke Symptoms:

• high body temperature
• the absence of sweating, with hot red or flushed dry skin
• rapid pulse
• difficulty breathing
• strange behavior
• hallucinations
• confusion
• agitation
• disorientation
• seizure
• coma

all of these for me just getting up to go to the bathroom

and also the first time i met my wife.(aaawwwwww right?)

[DISCO]

You could always try pre-ride bong hits, that way you start out baked and the sun has to compete...

[b-40]

Originally Posted by DISCO

You could always try pre-ride bong hits, that way you start out baked and the sun has to compete...