No riding for a week

[tc1]

I know this will make those of you in other parts of the world laugh, but
The weather in Seattle today is 90 degrees F! And it is predicted to be this hot through Thursday at least, and possibly even to 95!
I won't be riding, my morning commute is cool but the ride home is in the heat of the day.

And my normally hyper dog is lying around like a piece of furniture.

[Biciclista]

no kidding! just got back from riding 15 FLAT miles in that HEAT
phew! I wouldn't want to go any further than that and I sure wouldn't want to tackle much in the way of hills (Besides the unfortunate fact that i can't get home WITHOUT climbing a hill)

[malaholic]

I really, really, really hope it's cooler than they're forecasting. I don't even like to be outside in this heat, let alone riding in it. RAMROD is this Thursday...I finally got in this year, and after all the training I've put in over the last few months I'll be ticked off if I DNF due to heat exhaustion. </rant>

[salsabike]

We got up at 5:30 am today to do our 45-mile hilly tandem ride so we wouldn't die in the later heat. Got home well before noon and I have been totally sluglike ever since.

My spouse is also doing RAMROD and is under strict orders to DNF if he starts feeling bad. No ride is worth heat stroke, I think. Although I totally understand, Malaholic, why you want to go, because it's so damn hard to get a riding slot. Just be careful out there, okay?

I have a triathlon in the Portland area on Saturday. Am a little worried about that as well.

[shootingstar]

Today feels like southern Ontario summers...humid, hot.
I set off at 7:00 am. today. And finished with more fish shopping at end by 9:00 am.

Amazing that I did do several loaded bike trips over several weeks each, in Ontario years ago. I was "stronger" as a cyclist in certain ways but certainly never had much enthusiasm for hills when living there. Nothing like doing a hill when there's a smog alert.

Though I'm still not completely used to normal summers in Northwest Pacific with abit of cool edge/tinge in air even at 80 degrees F, would still like to adjust/acclimatize quickly if I have to ,whenever I return to Toronto to visit family in warm weather.

Last time I was there for several weeks, it was more humid than how we're feeling on the Northwest Coast. I biked daily to stay fit. Usually no more than 30 kms. at most. Kept my weight stable after the numerous dinners/meals with family, friends. The west has the challenge of hills and mountains for cyclists...whereas other areas have the heat/humidity ..to build cycling "character".

It's nearly amusing that the lightning storm (rare for Vancouver, BC) we had last night made front page news in local news. Jeepers. That is the norm in southern Ontario (and probably parts of northern Ont. also).

[kenyonchris]

I know this will make those of you in other parts of the world laugh, but
The weather in Seattle today is 90 degrees F! And it is predicted to be this hot through Thursday at least, and possibly even to 95!
I won't be riding, my morning commute is cool but the ride home is in the heat of the day.

And my normally hyper dog is lying around like a piece of furniture.

LOL! I was REJOICING about our cold front that brought our temps down to 90/95 last week. It was GREAT!
I know lots of non-native texans who suffer in this heat...I suffer in the heat, but am used to it. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

[oxysback]

It's supposed to be in the triple digits next week down here in the Portland area. Ugh.

[meggiestardust]

It was 100+ here today and supposed to be 95+ all week. I think I may be catching up with my napping and swimming, and slacking on my cycling. I just can't bring myself to do it.

[Dogmama]

105 degrees here today. But it's a dry heat. Just like hell.

I'm on the road by 5:30. Usually we're at a balmy 80 degrees. By 8:00, it's bake-city. I especially hate stop lights with cars throwing heat, sun beating down and sweating from every pore. At least the snow birds and the college students are still somewhere else.

[LilBolt]

I watched the remaining FSA track races today at the Marymoor Velodrome. They had to finish off the races they weren't able to complete last night due to the showers that rolled through. It must have felt like they were riding in a giant crockpot. Those are some amazing athletes.

DH is riding RAMROD, too. I'm glad I didn't get in...my training probably would have gotten me through only perfect riding conditions. Cool tailwinds to everyone doing it this year.

[lauraelmore1033]

I only managed to change my saddle before I was drenched in sweat from head to toe. A couple of laps around the block to fine tune the fit and I was DONE. Came in and saw that the cats were strewn across the floor (with foster babies, that makes 6) in front of the fan. Looked like a crime scene.

[arielmoon]

Hot here is a fact of life. BF said his computer read 108 at one point on our ride on Sat. We did 22 miles out and back.*shrugs*

[OakLeaf]

It's all what you're acclimated to. Let's not let this turn into another one of the p*ssing contests like "my weather and my hills are bad, and yours aren't."

I like heat, and the one summer I spent in Florida, I didn't hesitate to go running at noon when it was 90-95°F. Shades of "mad dogs and Englishmen;" if the natives did their workouts outdoors at all, they'd go in the early morning or after sundown.

But the weather has been so cool here this year that on the two or three times the temperatures have topped 85°F, everyone's really suffered.

To give you an idea - "normal" temps for this time of year would be daytime highs of 85 most days. As it is, with the changing climate, no one knows what "normal" is any more. I've ridden in long-sleeved jerseys three times this past month, and when I did my laundry yesterday, there were two long-sleeved wool base layers in the load. We haven't turned our AC on since 2007 (hope it still works!).

Riding in temperatures you're not acclimated to is dangerous and requires care, period, whether that temperature is 115°F or 85°F.

[redrhodie]

I'll take 50º over 90º any day. I just got back from a very humid ride (and it's only in the 70s today), and I feel like a chewed up piece of gum. Ick.

[Biciclista]

my DH is doing ramrod and his plan is to ride as hard as he can early, to get as far as he can during the cool part of his day.
Whatever is hot for anyone is hot. I would never live in places like Florida or Texas because it's too hot. A lot of people live in the Pacific NW precisely because they are weather weenies, so our true colors really come out when we get stuck in a heat wave.

[shootingstar]

my DH is doing ramrod and his plan is to ride as hard as he can early, to get as far as he can during the cool part of his day.
Whatever is hot for anyone is hot. I would never live in places like Florida or Texas because it's too hot. A lot of people live in the Pacific NW precisely because they are weather weenies, so our true colors really come out when we get stuck in a heat wave.


Sounds like a 4:00 am start or earlier for raleighdon, which actually would be lovely time and a real morale-booster for rest of day.

THis morning I set off just before 6:45 am and was done my 42 kms. under 2 hrs. Appreciate hills at this time under rising sun shade and their cooling descents.

As for Canadian snowbirds in Arizona and Florida, presumably some choose to fly home north shortly before now or now, when the heat isn't as oppressive.

In a way, I'm glad to have lived elsewhere in Canada and cycled first for many years, under far greater constant humidity and heat. Makes me more grateful for the NW coastal weather...yea, hmmmmm, except for the constant rain later. :rolleyes:

I truly prefer to cycle in 40-65 degree F weather with not much humidity.

[Triskeliongirl]

Are you serious. You won't ride in the 90s????? I only wish it were in the 90s for my commute home. Its been in the low 100s here. My upper limit is 105 (but I also won't ride below 40, maybe you gals are willing to go cooler than me).

[Aggie_Ama]

Sorry gals! It is completely what you are used to, as a native Texan it wouldn't bother me but if I lived where it was abnormal it would. Do you guys have AC? :eek: Stay hydrated, ride early and hope it passes.

[malaholic]

Yep, it's all what you're acclimatized to. I used to live in Utah where the temps were a lot more extreme...into the hundreds in the summer, well below freezing in winter. At that time those temps never bothered me because I was used to it. But I've been in the PNW for over 8 years now and my body just doesn't remember how to deal with either extreme cold or extreme heat.

Aggie_Ama...no, the vast majority of homes up here (at least around the Seattle area) do not have AC. The cost of installation & maintenance isn't worth it considering that there's usually only one week out of the year that you actually need it. DH and I did buy a single-room portable AC unit though. If we set it up and then set up some fans to blow the cooler air around we can keep the dogs from being quite so miserable. If it was up to them, we'd live in the arctic year-round!

Salsabike - good luck during your tri. I hope the heat isn't too bad for you either, esp. since Portland is often a few degrees warmer than Seattle. Hopefully the swim leg at least will be enjoyable.

[shootingstar]

Are you serious. You won't ride in the 90s????? I only wish it were in the 90s for my commute home. Its been in the low 100s here. My upper limit is 105 (but I also won't ride below 40, maybe you gals are willing to go cooler than me).

I only gave a preference. If I have no choice, then I will / have done so enough times in past, especially when one is on a bike trip or needs to do functional cycling to get to/from work/shopping, etc. Southern Ontario has reached 90+ degrees F with 100% humidity for summers on some days. When that happens usually there is a smog alert for large metropolitan areas in that part of Ontario. It's not just Los Angeles, etc. in the U.S.

Right now, we don't have A/C. All our windows flung open for cross-breezes. Initially it surprised me, being in a building not old. We have a floor fan somewhere. He squirreled it away in a storage rm. in building's basement. But not necessary, just abit stuffy.

Cycling at freezing point is fine in Vancouver, BC (as long as the wind is not 40 km. per hr.)..it's just the black ice problem..at times.

[lauraelmore1033]

When we moved to the Northwest from Indiana 20 odd years ago I thought it was funny that the natives thought it was HOT when it was only 85 degrees out. It sure is all about acclimation. I'm the loudest whiner in the chorus now if the temps climb much higher than 75. I can still tolerate riding in cold and wet though--down to mid 20s.

[Biciclista]

Are you serious. You won't ride in the 90s????? I only wish it were in the 90s for my commute home. Its been in the low 100s here. My upper limit is 105 (but I also won't ride below 40, maybe you gals are willing to go cooler than me).

that's really hot for us, Trisk. Imagine being a polar bear in texas. that's kind of how we feel today. :D:D:D

[Crankin]

I also try not to ride in the 90's. I am going to do a group ride Wednesday, where it might be 90, but it leaves from near my house and I can ditch them and go home if I can't stand it. The problem with 90 here is that it is most often accompanied by high humidity and bad air quality. Since I have asthma, I won't risk it. Yesterday, I did an almost 40 mile ride in 84 degrees almost 90% humidity. It truly sucked, but I did it. The only reason I will go Wednesday is so far, there's no bad air alerts.
I find my best riding temperature is between 55 and 65.

[salsabike]

The acclimatization conversation has been had many times on this board. Some of it is acclimatization; some of it is your particular body, I believe. I grew up in upstate NY and never, ever dealt well with the heat and humidity. Some people take it better than others. I don't in the least mind riding under 40 degrees. I LOVE riding in the winters here--it's downright invigorating and energizing for me. That doesn't mean I think everyone else should feel that way.

I have gotten much more serious about hydration and electrolytes since starting triathlon. I want to have some gas, so to speak, left for the bike and the run (my weakness). Am working hard on this, so will be interesting to see if it helps.

Malaholic, best wishes for Thursday!

[GLC1968]

I agree that it is partly what you are used to, and partly what your body can handle.

When I was born, it was -27F. In general, I prefer cool temps to hot ones. That said, when I lived and rode in NC, I was ok riding at 95 degrees and often rode when it was significantly hotter. But, if we didn't ride in those temps, we didn't ride most of the summer.

We've only been here a year and I have quickly gone back to my cold-loving ways! This heat is positively wilting me (like the delicate flower that I am *snort*)! Seriously, last summer we were laughing at those who wouldn't ride when it was 90. Last week, I had a serious health problem when riding in those same 90+ temps.

It is forecast to be well over 100 degrees a couple of days this week. I will not be out on my bike. Besides, why should we ride when it's this hot if it only happens a couple of days out of the summer? All we have to do is wait a couple of days to see cooler temps (unless of course, you have an organized ride). If all we had was 90+ temps all summer, we'd all learn to ride in the heat too. ;)

[kenyonchris]

When my dad was sick in the last stages of cancer he was hospitalized in Ennis Montana, where my parents had their summer home (only it was January). He was very close to dying, on almost totally liquid nutrition. He asked for a slurpee. I was not going to deny him, but it was sunny, clear....and 10 degrees. I went trudging across the street in my parka with little hope of a slurpee. Imagine my surprise to find the slurpee machine up and running! I commented on it as I paid for it, and the guy behind the counter told me that they had turned it on "because of the heat wave". He was serious.
It is all what you are used to.

[salsabike]

I hope your dad enjoyed that slurpee. Official thread drift notification. I miss my dad too. He developed a big thing for Twix candy bars in his last year.

Back on topic. We have one window air conditioner, on the exposed west side of our house, in a living room window. Boy, does that improve the quality of life during weather like this. Bet I'll be sleeping on that couch tonight. Also, ceiling fans--which can be pretty inexpensive--are a huge help.

[denda]

I agree it is what you are used to. I don't have a problem riding when it is 100. the 90's sound great!

[kenyonchris]

I agree it is what you are used to. I don't have a problem riding when it is 100. the 90's sound great!

Where is Dumas? Up by Lubbock? I will say I was the coldest I have ever been when I was judging a horse show up there. Well, almost the coldest (the cycling phase of a 40 degree tri in my wet suit was the coldest). IT WAS MISERABLE.

[Biciclista]

we dont' have A/C and probably won't ever.

Raleighdon said for those of you riding Ramrod, there will be extra water set up for riders and NUUN is going to put in a station as well - electrolyte drink.

[Triskeliongirl]

Well I waited until 6pm to bike home from work and it was still 102 degrees outside. You never acclimate to this, but its not as bad when you ride in to work, and you gotta get home somehow so you are committed. I couldn't believe how happy I was to ride home into a headwind, at least there was a breeze in my face! All I had an apetite for when I got home was wet cold food (i.e. salad).

Come on gals, 90s, you can do it. Just stay hydrated. Once you start moving its really not so bad, just moving your body through the air really does generate some breeze.

[maillotpois]

we have been in seattle for a couple of days now. while the heat isnt as bad as it gets in lots of places in the bay area for sure (and its downright pleasant by the water!) I find it interesting that where we are at least (mercer island) it doesnt cool off at night at all. where we are in marin, no matter how hot it gets it usually cools significantly at night. I find that odd since we're closer to the water here than we are at home.

[Biciclista]

mp, last night was very unusual. nights usually get down to 60 or less. Last night was the first time all year that it did NOT go down to 60, it was 70 degrees outside when i got up at 6am.
That's why this is a heat wave, it is not cooling down enough at night!

[meggiestardust]

I've grown up where its always been 100+ in the summer. never used to bug me. I think what does it in for me right now is being at work where it hits a high of 55 and driving home and getting out of the car and being hit with 105+. Its like, 1 car ride and the temp doubled. Nights have been awesome though, perfect riding conditions.

[Jen72]

I grew up in TX/OK/AR area and stayed inside as much as possible during the summer because it was unbearable to me. I never understood why people would be out riding and running during the heat of the day no less. Ever since I was a kid it would make me sick to my stomach and give me migraines. I moved up here to escape all that and love it here. I'm becoming an outdoors girl here due to the beauty and the mild weather and I LOVE it. The blessing is that this kind of heat doesn't last all the long here, only a few weeks it seems. During this period I'm just forcing myself to get up at 5:30 to do my ride. It will get back to normal soon. I really am missing the clouds and rain right now. The Northwest is still the best place to live.

[salsabike]

During this period I'm just forcing myself to get up at 5:30 to do my ride.

Me too. Nice to know I have some company out there.

[Aggie_Ama]

My Mammaw (91 years young) just got her first house with AC in Texas! I asked her how she was liking it, she replied "I am not used to it, so I go outside". :p Her house felt hot to me, she only runs the AC at 84.

Last night it was 105 when I was mountain biking, I thought of you girls because I was MISERABLE. And for the record I have been mountain biking for two months in this heat wave but I don't think you ever truly acclimate unless you consider making yourself suffer through acclimated.

One advice on NUUN, it has sorbitol and really upsets my tummy. Might not be advised if you haven't tried it before. Of course most cyclists here love it without issues.

[Flatlander]

My Mammaw (91 years young) just got her first house with AC in Texas! I asked her how she was liking it, she replied "I am not used to it, so I go outside". :p Her house felt hot to me, she only runs the AC at 84.



I love this story.:)

I kind of relate to it, too. Since I try to spend as much time as possible outside, by mid-summer I'm acclimated enough that the AC in most public places here feels much too cold. My DH and I keep the AC thermostat turned up to 80-82 and run the ceiling fans.

We're having a cold snap here this week. Temps in the low 90's.;)

[crazycanuck]

Umm..please be careful out there in the heat kids. Anything around 38C+ is gettin a weeeee bit too hot to ride in. Take it easy & you don't have to ride you know. Aggie, we don't do dirt if it's freakin hot..too many hills & then the flies :mad: plus the deep pea gravel & no shade..etc :rolleyes:

I can send you some coolish weather if you'd like. I can't wait for summer to return :D. Only a few more months & then you get to hear me complain about the weather. At least the sunshine's returned..aahhhh..

Btw..Why do you guys say acclimate? I thought it's " acclimatized" . I've seen it quite a few times & thought..hmmm???

[shootingstar]

Let’s say you step outside and see that it’s a mild and beautiful morning at 30 degrees. While your clothing may keep you warm enough while standing in that 30 degrees, if you start riding the open road and approach 70 mph, it will feel like 15 degrees to you.

:confused: cycling at 70 mph often can only be achieved by going down a very steep descent. And even not that many people want to reach that type of speed on a bike all the time. If it's 30 degrees F (instead of centrigrade which is hot) to ride at 70 mph is actually dangerous (and probably rare) because the probability of black ice is very real. At least where I live where we do have some long steep hills but still can ride in the middle of winter.

Introduce yourself abbey under the first main topic of general-cycling. There's a topic thread to give us the goods about yourself.

[OakLeaf]

I don't think 70 mph is even possible. The question has been discussed at some length on other forums. High 40's is common, a few people I know have hit 50 (if you trust their computers ;)), apparently the highest speeds on the TdF are in the low 60s (but then, they're winding technical descents, so they wouldn't necessarily be reaching terminal velocity).

Anyway, abbey is a spammer; the forum software is stripping the links out of his/her posts. Ignore away. :)

[salsabike]

Btw..Why do you guys say acclimate? I thought it's " acclimatized" . I've seen it quite a few times & thought..hmmm???

It's like "use" and "utilize". Either is correct.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/acclimate. ac⋅cli⋅mate
  /ˈækləˌmeɪt, əˈklaɪmɪt/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [ak-luh-meyt, uh-klahy-mit] Show IPA
Use acclimate in a Sentence
–verb (used with object), verb (used without object), -mat⋅ed, -mat⋅ing.
to accustom or become accustomed to a new climate or environment; adapt.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/acclimatize. c⋅cli⋅ma⋅tize
  /əˈklaɪməˌtaɪz/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [uh-klahy-muh-tahyz] Show IPA
Use acclimatize in a Sentence
–verb (used with object), verb (used without object), -tized, -tiz⋅ing.
to acclimate.

[Biciclista]

It's like "use" and "utilize". Either is correct.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/acclimate. ac⋅cli⋅mate
  /ˈækləˌmeɪt, əˈklaɪmɪt/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [ak-luh-meyt, uh-klahy-mit] Show IPA
Use acclimate in a Sentence
–verb (used with object), verb (used without object), -mat⋅ed, -mat⋅ing.
to accustom or become accustomed to a new climate or environment; adapt.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/acclimatize. c⋅cli⋅ma⋅tize
  /əˈklaɪməˌtaɪz/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [uh-klahy-muh-tahyz] Show IPA
Use acclimatize in a Sentence
–verb (used with object), verb (used without object), -tized, -tiz⋅ing.
to acclimate.

hhahahaha I was just going to look that up. Thanks for saving me the work.

[salsabike]

Any time, cookie.

[mtkitchn]

I just bought a boat in the PNW to get OUT of the horrid heat here in Phoenix on my days off!!! Actually, 90s won't feel too bad to me, but it's rather a bit warmer than I'd like to see temps up there!

[GLC1968]

Driving home last night - it got down to 97 F when I went over the ridge near our home and it felt 'cool'.

It was 107 when I left work (not just in the parking lot, but until I got out of the 'city'). I don't care where you live or what you are used to, that's HOT (if you are a human ;)).

[chutch]

I've grown up where its always been 100+ in the summer. never used to bug me. I think what does it in for me right now is being at work where it hits a high of 55 and driving home and getting out of the car and being hit with 105+. Its like, 1 car ride and the temp doubled. Nights have been awesome though, perfect riding conditions.

That's a good point, meggiestardust. I sit in a super-cold office all day while outside it's incredibly hot and humid, trying to ride after work is torture. I'm sure there's something to the fact that I'm cold all day (literally have a jacket and a space heater even in summer) then trying to exercise in heat.

Off topic- I've never, ever understood why it has to be so cold in buildings in the summers.

[Biciclista]

Policy of my company is heat to 65 in the winter and cool to 75 in the summer. Now that doesn't actually happen; but if you're unhappy you can complain and get them to turn off some of the iced air.

[Biciclista]

it's supposed to be 100 degrees today... and I rode my bike to work today !!!


:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

[OakLeaf]

slightly drifty, but on point:

Yesterday an office building was evacuated because someone found a speaker's timer in a conference room and decided it was a bomb. :rolleyes:

In the three hours before they let the people back in, several of them had to be taken to the hospital for heat exhaustion. The high temperature yesterday was 84°F, and these were people just standing around not exerting themselves at all.

[Biciclista]

slightly drifty, but on point:

Yesterday an office building was evacuated because someone found a speaker's timer in a conference room and decided it was a bomb. :rolleyes:

In the three hours before they let the people back in, several of them had to be taken to the hospital for heat exhaustion. The high temperature yesterday was 84°F, and these were people just standing around not exerting themselves at all.

where was this????

ps didn't they have the sense to get out of the sun?!

[salsabike]

Someplace in the Southeast that is VERY humid, I'm guessing. Where are you, OakLeaf? Ugh.

Mimi, riding this morning must not have been too bad. This afternoon, going back up your hill....Oh, well, at least it's a relatively short trip.

[Biciclista]

exactly, Salsa. That's what i was thinking 4 miles...I can handle 4 miles of heat!

[OakLeaf]

This was outside Columbus, Ohio. Humidity was around 50% during the warmest part of the day yesterday.

Temps like that, with higher humidity, would be normal in an ordinary year, but it's been very cool this year and no one's acclimated. Which was my point. A temperature and humidity that seems quite comfortable to some people (including me, and I don't live that far away from there), can threaten other people's health.

The area where the bank center is, is a prime example of urban sprawl, so I very much doubt there was a covered parking lot where they could get "out of the sun." I'm sure some of them probably sat in their cars with the engines and A/C running... :(:mad:

This is a guess, but it's pretty likely there wasn't water available, which couldn't have helped anything.

[shootingstar]

slightly drifty, but on point:

Yesterday an office building was evacuated because someone found a speaker's timer in a conference room and decided it was a bomb. :rolleyes:

In the three hours before they let the people back in, several of them had to be taken to the hospital for heat exhaustion. The high temperature yesterday was 84°F, and these were people just standing around not exerting themselves at all.

Uh, when I was working in one of the downtown Toronto skyscrapers in the financial district, the building management went ahead with their semi-annual fire drill.

The temperatures were already over 80 degrees F outside. A highrise occupant evacuation, means you have to walk down the staircases. Use of elevator is forbidden (and usually shut off from operating in more modern buildings at time of fire alarm). Even with moderate (not full air-conditioning) in the stairwell..after walking down from the 29th fl. to ground level, we were sweaty. I was fit and hence, did not experience dizziness from going around and around on staircases but with heat, this is bound to make someone less fit, just dizzier.

And yes, I heard of another highrise office building evacuation fire drill, in warm temperatures, where a woman was in her final trimester of her pregnancy.

I know that some TE members cycle above 100 degrees F and can function ok. If you wish to continue to express that sort of continuous bravado, go ahead.

But I would not be recommending it beyond a couple kms. during high daily heat time periods (standard seems to be around 10:00 am to aprox. 4:00 or 6:00 pm), to any newbie or anyone unaccustomed to that heat on a regular basis.

I want people to enjoy cycling long-term in their lives in whichever climate they are living...and hence, would not recommend practices that would make them dislike cycling more and more.

by the way, we live on the 33rd floor. No, I do not a fire drill evacuation this wk. I'm already sweating right now sitting at home, with all windows flung open and cross breezes. We have no A/C.

I guess this is another reason, to remain physically fit and mobile...for emergency situations when one must escape without overly endangering self.

[Biciclista]

I know that some TE members cycle above 100 degrees F and can function ok.

But I would not be recommending it beyond a couple kms. during high daily heat time periods (standard seems to be around 10:00 am to aprox. 4:00 or 6:00 pm), to any newbie or anyone unaccustomed to that heat on a regular basis

how about 4 miles, SS? (I'm committed now, I know i OUGHT TO BE COMMITTED) if i don't post after 3pm today you can assume I expired from the heat. It's now officially 100 degrees (38c) in parts of Seattle and it's only 12 noon.

[GLC1968]

how about 4 miles, SS? (I'm committed now, I know i OUGHT TO BE COMMITTED) if i don't post after 3pm today you can assume I expired from the heat. It's now officially 100 degrees (38c) in parts of Seattle and it's only 12 noon.

Mimi! Of all the days you could have picked to ride, you chose the hottest day of the year? Silly woman! ;) That said, take it slow and drink plenty before you even leave (and more during, of course). The nice thing about only 4 miles is that you'll probably do it fast enough to still have reasonably cold water to drink the whole way. ;)

[MM_QFC!]

..." I know i OUGHT TO BE COMMITTED"

I'm glad that you said it, m'dear; I'm too polite to...;)


Actually, I know you to be a cautious, safety-minded rider, so I'm sure that you'll ride the 4 miles home in a way that hopefully won't get you into any hypothermal trouble...I'd be hydrating pretty continuously enroute too, eh?

Also, I thought of Raleighdon and Salsa's DH also re: RAMROD - ugh! Usually riders start out @ 4:30 AM anyway, so I hope that it helps a bit to get out there even earlier. The worrisome part is that the 9 mile climb up Cayuse doesn't happen until after the riders have completed a hilly century AND in the heat of the afternoon - ugh again! I was glad to hear via Raleighdone/you that RCC is planning more water stops as I felt that was an egregious omission when I met 2 riders at the finish a few years ago and that's almost the first thing they both mentioned - not enough water stops!

Best wishes to all RAMROD riders (and PDX triathletes!) for a safe, successful event!
Mary

[Biciclista]

i've been commuting 3-4 x a week, so it's not the first time i've decided to ride my bike home.
I think i'll be all right..

[GLC1968]

i've been commuting 3-4 x a week, so it's not the first time i've decided to ride my bike home.
I think i'll be all right..

Oh, I'm not saying it is...but it's certainly the one day that if you did decide to take alternate forms of transportation, you wouldn't be faulted for it!

Even many of the die-hard bike commuters here have opted to "MAX" it today.

Personally, I'm saving my riding for the end of the week when it's supposed to be back into the low 90's. ;)

[Biciclista]

Oh, I'm not saying it is...but it's certainly the one day that if you did decide to take alternate forms of transportation, you wouldn't be faulted for it!

Even many of the die-hard bike commuters here have opted to "MAX" it today.

Personally, I'm saving my riding for the end of the week when it's supposed to be back into the low 90's. ;)

my bike is the only one in the rack today here at work :eek::eek::eek::confused:
but today's only a few degrees worse than yesterday. :cool:

[MM_QFC!]

my bike is the only one in the rack today here at work :eek::eek::eek::confused:
but today's only a few degrees worse than yesterday. :cool:

you're such a gnarly girl, Mimi!

[MM_QFC!]

we have been in seattle for a couple of days now. while the heat isnt as bad as it gets in lots of places in the bay area for sure (and its downright pleasant by the water!) I find it interesting that where we are at least (mercer island) it doesnt cool off at night at all. where we are in marin, no matter how hot it gets it usually cools significantly at night. I find that odd since we're closer to the water here than we are at home.

hey mp, yep, Mimi's right - it's been unusually still at night along with the daytime heat lately...I'm closer to Puget Sound, so I get the benefit of those breezes that may not be reaching you on M.I.; maybe it's more socked in, being in the middle of a lake instead of closer to the coastal breezes?

Have you been doing any riding while up here, or only visiting and relaxing?
Mary

[BikingNurse]

I don't envy the hot muggy weather you are having. I'll take my dry heat any day! I just talked to my cousin who lives on that side of the mountain and she was telling me how nasty it is. Here's hoping for a cool spell!:cool:

[Biciclista]

For all of those worried, I'm home, and rather sweaty. i did it. I even felt strong!

[LilBolt]

For all of those worried, I'm home, and rather sweaty. i did it. I even felt strong!

You were probably much better off on your bike rather than a bus. I got a notification today from King County that only 30% of the buses have AC, and they were asking people to delay riding the bus today if they could. Another fun fact I heard was only 15% of the homes & apartments in the area have central air.

DH did his RAMROD volunteer work yesterday loading the trucks with water barrels...he said they did load more than he remembered them loading last year. I am a wee bit worried, but he is riding with 2 buddies, and they have a pact to watch out for each other & if anyone seems to be struggling, they are going to stick together. Plans to set a personal best have been put off until next year for them. Oh...107 when I got home today. My mom in Scottsdale is laughing at me while she 'chills' in her air conditioning. :(

[Aggie_Ama]

We didn't hit 100 in Austin yesterday but I saw on the news Seattle hit 103. Of course DH had a customer get back from San Francisco who said the highs were a balmy 70 there. :rolleyes:

[OakLeaf]

Nothing really new here, but a good summary (http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/29/how-to-avoid-heatstroke/), and some interesting comments about how little is really known about heat-related illness. Also a related post (http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/09/a-common-symptom-of-heat-illness-denial/) from last year.

Glad you made it home OK Mimi.

[shootingstar]

thx for the article link, Oak.

[Biciclista]

You were probably much better off on your bike rather than a bus. I got a notification today from King County that only 30% of the buses have AC, and they were asking people to delay riding the bus today if they could. Another fun fact I heard was only 15% of the homes & apartments in the area have central air.

DH did his RAMROD volunteer work yesterday loading the trucks with water barrels...he said they did load more than he remembered them loading last year. I am a wee bit worried, but he is riding with 2 buddies, and they have a pact to watch out for each other & if anyone seems to be struggling, they are going to stick together. Plans to set a personal best have been put off until next year for them. Oh...107 when I got home today. My mom in Scottsdale is laughing at me while she 'chills' in her air conditioning. :(

Lilbolt, do we know each other? MY DH is the guy running the waterbarrel crew.

[LilBolt]

Lilbolt, do we know each other? MY DH is the guy running the waterbarrel crew.

Don't know each other, yet. :) I saw your DH's email address (how many raleighdons can there be) on the note my DH had. My DH was one of the guys named Bruce who worked the other day. He's done that duty the last 2 years. I think we work for the same company, too. It is a small world.

[sundial]

I can't BELIEVE the temps you guys are having! Does it ever get that hot in Seattle?? :confused: Anyone that can ride in that heat deserves a big star on their helmet. :)

[Biciclista]

never in recorded history. And yes, it's freaking me out BIG TIME

[sundial]

You know, when we vacationed on Orcas Island a couple of years ago they were having a mild heat wave--temps in the 80's. They laughed when we asked if they had A/C at the B&B. I guess they won't laugh now.

Do many people in Seattle consider using an A/C? Around here it's so stinkin' humid and hot that it's a necessity. :p I have heard the old timers say they used to go down to the river in the evenings with other families and cool off there on the riverbanks. :)

[Biciclista]

from what i read this week, 15 % of us have A/C and many many people ran out and bought them this week and will buy some because of this week. I did not and have no plans to.

[salsabike]

I think central AC here is truly not necessary. We have one window AC unit for the living room, which has pretty much nekkid western exposure. That one window unit makes the whole house more manageable in this weather. It still got quite warm inside--85-ish--but it wasn't as awful as it would have been without the window AC in the living room. We've only had that for about four or five years. Most people here live without AC and most of the time, it isn't needed. But boy, when it is...whoof. 103 is definitely hot enough for me.

[Crankin]

People in MA are pretty much the same; even now, a lot of houses are built without central air, which I feel is ridiculous. It's hot and humid here on and off for a lot of the summer. It's impossible to cook or sleep comfortably when it's 85-95 and humid for a week! I know a lot of people think I'm a wimp, but after living in places where everything is climate controlled, I like being comfortable. In 1990, it wasn't easy to find a house in our price range that had central air.
The difference I see is that people here keep their AC on ridiculously low temperatures, as do stores. It is not necessary to keep AC at 68! We keep our house at 76-78 when the AC is on. Yet, some of my friends think my house feels hot. When I lived in AZ, we kept our AC set on 82, because when it's 112 out , 82 feels cool. It's all relative, but I couldn't live without AC.

[crazycanuck]

We don't have traditional air conditioning in our house but we do have reverse cycle air con & it works fine for us!

There's no way we would survive West Australian summers without it!

[Dogmama]

P When I lived in AZ, we kept our AC set on 82, because when it's 112 out , 82 feels cool. It's all relative, but I couldn't live without AC.

That's because AZ is a dry heat.

Just like hell.

[Crankin]

Totally agree, Dogmamma.
As you see, I am no longer there...

[Biciclista]

hm, I thought hell was more of a wet heat. But you guys are the experts :cool:;):D

[Selkie]

How are your animals holding up?

We haven't been THAT hot here in DC area but all three of my goldens have gotten summer skin allergies. Had to break out the Benedryl and a vet visit might be in order. I think it's from the mold (very rainy spring through June). Now the heat and humidity have arrived.

[Biciclista]

the cats went off their feed for a few days but that was the extent of it.
today we're happy because it's only supposed to get up to 90. I guess I got an attitude adjustment this week!

and the nights are cooling off to 60's which makes a big difference in comfort.