The heat...

[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?

[duke777]

Everyone has different tolerance for heat. For long time I can not stand heat and still don't like it. But as my fitness level increased so does my tolerance over heat.

Just make sure you drink TONs of water. Hydration and electrolyte is incredibly important in this heat. Be very aware of how you feel and what heat stroke symptoms are.

Just like anything, you can get use to it but it will take time.

[ubermensch]

Last summer was my first summer cycling, and I found that the heat was bearable once my body got acclimated. Also, the hot rides can also be more rewarding because they tend to give you more of a feeling of accomplishment once you get home. I must've jumped into the pool after more than half the rides last summer.

The only thing I do different in the summer is wear more sunscreen and do more water stops. I go through 2 bottles of water in an hour during this time of year, and I just make friends with the employees/owners of the donut shops and convenient stores so they are more willing to fill up my water bottles when I need to.

[mfoga]

Yeah when I lived inland I was use to the heat, 100 outside no big deal, now that I live really close to the beach for that last 6 years I die when its in the 90s. I think once you get use to it, its not a big deal.

Look at people who live in AZ what do they take the whole summer off?

[silverspot]

Re: hydration - a buddy of mine (Krash) uses the timer on his watch to prompt him to drink at specific intervals. I use the same technique now as well. (most of the stuff I learned came from him) I'll set my timer for 12 minute intervals, take a good couple of pulls each time the bell goes off. For warmer days, I'll set it at 10 minute intervals. Makes for a good reminder to keep drinking.

Also, Endurolytes (electrolite pills) help as well. 2 before the ride and another 1 an hour helps.

[dfioc]

Everyone has their own heat tolerance and the responses already have good advice on how to combat it while you're riding. For me, anything over 90 simply is not any fun. I ride to have to fun so I either not ride or ride early AM or late PM.

[ericfoltz]

I did the Traverse this year.

I'm no longer allowed to complain about the heat on any ride less than 6 hours.

All kidding aside, I tend to ride my road bike more when it gets really hot. More wind going by faster makes for a cooler ride. It's also easier to do long rides when you can easily find places to refill your water bottles.

[TrojanInsomniac]

You don't know what I'd do right now to get the hell out of this stale office and ride in the heat

[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

[Trance Pilot]

Where can you get these endurolyte pills? Great suggestion about the timed drinking btw.

Originally Posted by silverspot

Re: hydration - a buddy of mine (Krash) uses the timer on his watch to prompt him to drink at specific intervals. I use the same technique now as well. (most of the stuff I learned came from him) I'll set my timer for 12 minute intervals, take a good couple of pulls each time the bell goes off. For warmer days, I'll set it at 10 minute intervals. Makes for a good reminder to keep drinking.

Also, Endurolytes (electrolite pills) help as well. 2 before the ride and another 1 an hour helps.

[duke777]

Originally Posted by TrojanInsomniac

You don't know what I'd do right now to get the hell out of this stale office and ride in the heat

+1 here!!!!

http://www.saltstick.com/

[TrojanInsomniac]

Originally Posted by Trance Pilot

Where can you get these endurolyte pills? Great suggestion about the timed drinking btw.

Bought some a few weeks ago at Switchback.

[BrewMaster]

As long as I am drinking enough fluids, the heat doesn't really bother me. Keeping my head covered (with my helmet of course) and having good air venting on my helmet helps a lot too. I tend to do most of my riding in the morning or afternoon, not mid day, which probably makes a difference.

[El Salt]

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

Ah he11, I've got heat exhaustion EVERY time I ride!

[Winger]

Great topic!

How do people continue to train when it gets hot? During the winter I can easily do 2+ hour rides at a fast pace without much trouble. With the recent heat I'm lasting 1.5 hours until I overheat and get weak. I'm worried I'm going to go backwards in terms of stamina & strength if I have to limit my riding due to heat.

Also, does equipment make *that* much of a difference? It feels like my head & feet are on fire. Maybe my helmet needs better ventilation? Maybe I need thinner socks and more breathe-able shoes?

[bikerider]

I'm with eric foltz on this one. When it's really hot out I just ride the road. Or you can just get up real early and be done by 10 am. Also load up the camelbak with a ton of ice.

[ericfoltz]

Originally Posted by Winger

How do people continue to train when it gets hot? During the winter I can easily do 2+ hour rides at a fast pace without much trouble. With the recent heat I'm lasting 1.5 hours until I overheat and get weak. I'm worried I'm going to go backwards in terms of stamina & strength if I have to limit my riding due to heat.

That's why I switch over to the road bike. I can still do long rides without having to worry about running out of water. It's also cooler because you're going faster and can cruise down by the beach.

My mileage and time on the bike actually went up last summer when I usually drop off because of the heat.

If I ride dirt, I go out with an extra 24oz bottle and a camelback full of ice.

[BSki]

I tend to also stick to the road on very hot days and sweat it out.

Clothing makes a HUGE difference. Get some shorts with vents, and stay away from anything cotton

[reflux]

Originally Posted by mfoga

Look at people who live in AZ what do they take the whole summer off?

They ride very early in the morning, and normally finish the ride before or around when the sun starts to rise.

[silverspot]

Originally Posted by Trance Pilot