HotHotHot

[Zen]

I was outside most of the day yesterday. You know how hot it was.
I walked around a little bit, rode my bike a little bit, generally took it easy and drank LOTS.
I had one water bottle and a camelback bladder with Nunn tablets added. I drained that and still my toes and feet started cramping.

To make a long story even longer, I wanted to do a semi-long towpath ride this week but now I don't know. I guess I'll just have to take a short one.

There is no real point to this, just whining.

[ny biker]

You ain't kidding. This was my thermostat at 4:20 this afternoon. And now I have to walk to they gym...I hope their A/C is blasting.

[OakLeaf]

I rode to the gym, taught aerobics, rode back - ~30 miles RT.

On the way back, I got onto the highway for the last mile, because I just couldn't face that second-to-last hill (plus it saved about a mile and a half off the route).

Other than that, it was fine. Ice and Nuun in my Camelbak, and plenty of time to take it easy.

I guess I'm more or less acclimated to the heat for cycling now :rolleyes: - in spite of last week's highs in the low 70's - but still doubt if I am for running. On the bike, we generate our own wind...

[Zen]

My problem is a condition that makes me, for lack of a better term, electrolyte compromised. I have to be very careful.
My toes sometimes start to cramp when I'm kayaking :o

[Cataboo]

After riding in this heat at bike va,I refuse to ride in it anymore. I spent the day in my kayak - met someone at 6:30 am at Columbia island to do a 4 hour "fast" paddle up the Potomac to little falls, back down to Haines point.

Got lunch with another friend afterwards and headed out on the triadelphia reservoir to float around and get myself in the water as much as possible so as to not be so hot - practiced rolls.

zen - wiggle your toes or change your foot position.

I just use shot blocks for electrolytes.

[OakLeaf]

None of the calorie-replacement stuff I've tried has near enough magnesium or calcium to keep me from cramping when I'm sweating heavily (which is most of the time :rolleyes:). That's how they get you. I bring Endurolytes on a long ride or run, in addition to whatever sports drink or gels (or solid food on a ride). Plus I'll take additional calcium/magnesium morning and evening - double or triple my maintenance dose of 333 mg each per day.

I'm pretty close to gauging how much I'm sweating and having my dosages figured out.

[7rider]

None of the calorie-replacement stuff I've tried has near enough magnesium or calcium to keep me from cramping when I'm sweating heavily (which is most of the time :rolleyes:). That's how they get you. I bring Endurolytes on a long ride or run, in addition to whatever sports drink or gels (or solid food on a ride). Plus I'll take additional calcium/magnesium morning and evening - double or triple my maintenance dose of 333 mg each per day.

I'm pretty close to gauging how much I'm sweating and having my dosages figured out.

Interesting. I brought along some Hammer electrolytes on a recent, very hot, June century ride. As per usual, I started cramping badly at mile 80ish. And I had been extra diligent (so I thought) about taking electrolytes. So much for those. :rolleyes: DH keeps Ca and Mg on hand for hot summer post-ride dosing. Perhaps I should hit those up, too (in addition to my multi-supplement).

And a friend wants me to do a 200 mile ride (322 km) ride next Saturday! Yikes.

[Selkie]

7 -- I think it's "only" going to be in the low 90s on Saturday, so it won't be that bad! Just kidding. Are you going to do the ride? Where is it?

It's officially too hot to wear bib shorts. I've had to break out my Terry Bellas, which I usually only wear when riding on the trainer. Anticipating continued hot weather, I broke down and ordered another pair of non-bibs.

[7rider]

7 -- I think it's "only" going to be in the low 90s on Saturday, so it won't be that bad! Just kidding. Are you going to do the ride? Where is it?


The ride is the Total 200 (http://www.total200.com/) to support the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. I had never heard of it before. It goes from Capital Hill to Point Lookout SP and back. Sounds brutal.

[Possegal]

I'm in Europe stalking the Tour - and the news in Brussels today had Washington DC listed as a high of 41, which converts to 105.8. I thought, well that doesn't look good. :)

[Selkie]

The ride is the Total 200 (http://www.total200.com/) to support the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. I had never heard of it before. It goes from Capital Hill to Point Lookout SP and back. Sounds brutal.

Too bad they aren't doing this ride in the early spring or late September when the weather would be more humane. Looks like it would be a good ride, well supported, excellent scenery, good cause, etc. (even doing it one way would be great).

"Special Needs Bags," indeed! In this weather, one would be advised to pack an IV and a DNR order!!

[ny biker]

Oh by the way, if your car is parked outside in the sun for several hours, and it's 100 degrees outside, and you have some purell in the glove compartment, don't use it to clean your hands. Trust me.

[tulip]

104F in Richmond right now. Keep drinking water.

[Cataboo]

I just made a smoothie & am hanging out in the basement with a fan instead of putting the AC on.

I turned it on this weekend for the first time in 3 years, 'cause I had guests staying with me.

I just went out in the sunroom - I had the windows closed 'cause I was gone all day. One thermometer read 119.7, the other 121.3. Temp on the attached deck, 103.

[tulip]

Basement--good idea! Maybe tomorrow I'll just work in the basement and save on cooling costs. But then it'll be 100F in my house, right? And I can't sleep in the basement because there are creepy-crawlies down there. I suppose I can keep my AC at 80 and work in the basement. Then I can cool the house off after work.

Thanks for the suggestion, Catriona. I might just try it.

[OakLeaf]

Yeah, we just turned ours on for the first time since 2007, too. And it SMELLS AWFUL. :eek: But it was too hot to get off the couch and I was ruining the couch with my sweat - ran out of towels to keep it from soaking through!

[tulip]

My mother lives in the mountains and rarely runs her AC. But the HVAC people who service her system said that it's important to run it every once in a while. Maybe that's why your smells bad, Oakleaf. It's been 3 years...:eek:

[OakLeaf]

:D Naw, I think it's just the old air in the ductwork, sitting around getting musty since the last time we had the heat on. It's not an electrical or oily smell, just a closed-up-mouse-infested-house smell. :p:rolleyes:

[Cataboo]

nah. it's only 90 degrees upstairs in my house. 103 outside. Down in the basement, I think it's in the low 80s if not cooler, but don't have a thermometer down here. Putting the fan on makes it quite pleasant, and my basement's not got too many creepy crawlies to sleep in - but probably after it cools down tonight, I'll just open all the windows and run fans.

You do have to close all the windows and the drapes in the morning before the day heats up - that keeps things cooler than opening all the windows & drapes. I had my windows closed, but not the curtains.

My electric bill stays around $30 a month year round.

[divingbiker]

I'm sorry, but I don't go to work every day just to come home and suffer in a 90 degree house. I love my air conditioning and will gladly pay the electric bill.

[OakLeaf]

My electric bill stays around $30 a month year round.

:eek::eek: You must access TE from work. ;)

Honestly, I think the electricity to run our computers and phones costs more than that.

[ny biker]

My electric bill stays around $30 a month year round.

I hope this means your heat is not electric.

Everything in my condo is electric. My bills are always much higher in winter, although the new heat pump I had installed in December cut the kwhs used in half during the really cold months. But still it costs me much less to run the A/C. If it's below 80 with low humidity I will open the windows, but otherwise I turn the A/C on and enjoy it. Thanks to the programmable thermostat, it doesn't run much when I'm at work (most days, it probably doesn't run at all), but it's nice and comfy otherwise.

My parents' house has no A/C and it can get pretty unpleasant, even with the windows and shades closed during the day. They have big fans blowing out at night to draw in the cooler air, but during a heat wave that's not enough.

[tulip]

While taking my dog for his (abbreviated) afternoon walk just now, I re-thought the basement thing. I'm not going to work in my basement. I'll work in my house with the AC on. That's why I had the thing installed in the first place, after all.

[Cataboo]

Oh, I have an ac and I'm not afraid to use it, as I did this weekend when I had friends staying that I knew weren't going to have a pleasant time with the heat - I just have lived around this area all my life and I'm used to it. I find air conditioning in stores and offices and the rest of that unpleasant - carrying around a sweater everywhere is just annoying when it's 100 degrees out. I bike, I kayak, I hike, and I camp - all outdoors - not acclimatizing to the heat just screws me over when I'm trying to do the things I like to do. Many people at bike virginia in tents were too hot to sleep last week - I was cold on 3 of the nights and had to put a long sleeve wool shirt on.

When I lived in a condo in richmond where I couldn't get a cross breeze and couldn't very well open the windows being on the ground floor - I used my ac more.

My computer room is in the basement anyways (it's a split level) and so's my living room with the big screen tv & surround sound. So I'm by no means suffering or hiding in an area of the house that I don't use otherwise. I'm not sweating.

As for computer and the rest of that, I did build it myself and made sure to get a low voltage CPU. Phones - I don't have a landline.

Heating and water heater are on natural gas. Natural gas bill is like $20 a month most of the time, max has been about $120.

I do find it decadent to use my AC to cool an entire house for just 1 person.

[7rider]

I find air conditioning in stores and offices and the rest of that unpleasant - carrying around a sweater everywhere is just annoying when it's 100 degrees out.

I can totally see that. I feel like I need gloves to go into a grocery store in the summer. Don't like that at all.

DH and I have long-standing battles over the thermostat. He turns it down (in the summer), I turn it up. We reverse in the winter. Last night, when I finally crawled back into bed at 5 a.m. (dammed insomnia :mad:) I was freezing and had to pull all the blankets over me. DH (blissfully unaware and dead to the world, sleeping) had tossed most of the blankets off. I like a.c., but I don't like OVER a.c.!

[Zen]

My mother lives in the mountains and rarely runs her AC.

I live in the hills and don't even have AC.
But I am on the lower floor of my house so it's sort of like being in the basement.

[sfa]

I went for a run at 3:30 today. I didn't intend to go for a run outside--I was planning to use the treadmill at the gym because of the heat, but the power in the gym went off as I was getting changed, so I switched plans and went outside. It was pretty hot (NWS reported 105 at the time I was running) so I took it easy and drank a lot of water, and ultimately it really wasn't that bad. Hot, but because it's so dry it was bearable. I just sweated a lot, which is what you're supposed to do.

I was very, very happy to get back in the A/C, though.

[ny biker]

I do find it decadent to use my AC to cool an entire house for just 1 person.

Can you close the vents in rooms you don't use and then close the doors to those rooms, so you're only cooling the ones you're in?

I only have a small 1BR condo so there's no wasted space to heat or cool.

BTW, I'm going for a bike ride tonight after work. Will probably hit the road around 6:30. I'm sure it will still be around 100 degrees, but I find that having the sun at a lower angle makes a big difference. I've got two water bottles and my cool wings, and will be skipping the steep hill that makes me wheeze on a good day.

[7rider]

Can you close the vents in rooms you don't use and then close the doors to those rooms, so you're only cooling the ones you're in?


That's what we do. We have forced air, and we close the vents - and doors - to the spare rooms (and most recently, the basement, which is generally much cooler anyway). You can't close too many of them, as I think I've read that it can cause too much pressure in the ducts and create problems for the unit, but to close off a few rooms shouldn't be a problem.
That - and a programmable thermostat - seems to keep things manageable (which I override when I don't like where DH programs it!).

[redrhodie]

I've got two water bottles and my cool wings, and will be skipping the steep hill that makes me wheeze on a good day.

Yes, this is not the time for climbing. I rode this morning, and took the same route I rode last night to 1. avoid hills, and 2. not ride into the rising sun. I made that mistake one morning last week, and felt sick because of the contrast between the bright sun and the dark shadows under trees. It's really easy to take a header in those conditions.

[divingbiker]

Can you close the vents in rooms you don't use and then close the doors to those rooms, so you're only cooling the ones you're in?

Like 7, I do this, too. I shut off my upstairs vents since I only sleep there. I have a small window AC that I run at night. In my old house, the cool air can't make it upstairs anyway, so it never really gets cooled off adequately for sleeping. The window unit is a lifesaver.

[Cataboo]

Can you close the vents in rooms you don't use and then close the doors to those rooms, so you're only cooling the ones you're in?

I only have a small 1BR condo so there's no wasted space to heat or cool.


Yeah, there wasn't wasted space to heat or cool when I was living in a 1 bedroom condo. I actually usually care way more about air flow than I do about temperature - if I'm in a room where the air is not moving, I find it stifling no matter the temperature. If the air is moving, I'm usually happy enough. But often I just had the fan on on the central air in the condo to get air moving.

Do you guys have way better vent covers than I do? Because I still feel heat and cold coming out of closed vents and I know a ton of people with 2 level houses/condos/townhouses that close all the vents on their lower levels - but that still doesn't mean that cold air comes out of the vents on the higher level.

The house has a lot of open space with a peaked tall ceiling. Those ceilings trap heat. So the kitchen, dining room, living room, foyer have that peaked ceiling - the thermostat is in a hallway just off that room. So any cooling pretty much has to do that entire area given that that is where the thermostat is. 2 bedrooms & the bathroom off that hallway. I did have the vents in the downstairs/basement closed off this weekend with the air conditioning on - the basement still cooled down. I can close a door to the basement utility room and for the computer room down there, but can't close off the downstairs living room.

But the temps were fine for me to sleep in my bedroom last night (even with a sheet & pajamas on) without ac. Sitting in my computer room using the computer has been fine.

It is 111 degrees in the sunroom during the day, but was fine yesterday evening and this morning - I get a cross breeze through it and I can quite often use that to cool the house down or use the heat in the sunroom to heat the house in the winter - on a cold sunny day in the winter, the sunroom will still get to 80-90 degrees in there (even if it's in the 20's outside) - and if I open the french doors to the sunroom, the rest of the upstairs of the house is heated to about 75. I just have to close off the doors before the sun goes down, 'cause temps drop rapidly out there.

I do have a portable AC that has a hose to go out the window for the sunroom - if I really get hot, I could put it in one of the bedrooms. I stuck it up in the sunroom this weekend for my guests. But so far I haven't really been too hot. If you don't constantly heat or cool your environment - you really do get used to it (yes, I do use my heater, frozen pipes suck :)). People in asia or africa don't have troubles sleeping at night without AC.

[Selkie]

I'm sorry, but I don't go to work every day just to come home and suffer in a 90 degree house. I love my air conditioning and will gladly pay the electric bill.

Same here. My dad (the Original Miser) refused to get A/C until after my siblings & I grew up and moved out of the house. Pittsburgh summers can get hot/humid, and my dad was so cheap that he wouldn't let us even run fans at night (he claimed it might set the house on fire, but he was too worried about the extra few $$ it might cost--the man was an engineer at IBM, so we weren't exactly destitute!! :p).

Anyway, that's probably why I gladly pay to run the A/C---too many summers spent sweltering. In addition, we have three big furry dogs---don't want them to suffer. Because our house was built in 1940, there's no insulation in the walls. The new windows we got this spring have made a HUGE difference, however, in keeping the cool air in and the hot air out.

Running ceiling fans helps, as does keeping the blinds shut.

DH and I went for a walk around noon. When the sun was behind clouds, it wasn't that bad, but being in the sun was brutal. Back to work tomorrow, unfortunately. I have packed a sweater because my office will be like a meat locker.

[ny biker]

If you don't constantly heat or cool your environment - you really do get used to it (yes, I do use my heater, frozen pipes suck :)). People in asia or africa don't have troubles sleeping at night without AC.

I grew up without air conditioning, and we kept fans on all night so we could sleep.

My mother has never lived in a house with air conditioning, and she hates it when it gets this hot during the summer. She sits in front of a fan watching TV all day -- and she is not the kind of person who enjoys watching TV all day.

I keep my thermostat at 71 in the winter, which keeps the actual temp in my living room and bedroom at 69 on cold days. And I hate it. I hate being cold all the time.

I'm glad so many people get used to it but not everyone does.

[Cataboo]

Same here. My dad (the Original Miser) refused to get A/C until after my siblings & I grew up and moved out of the house. Pittsburgh summers can get hot/humid, and my dad was so cheap that he wouldn't let us even run fans at night (he claimed it might set the house on fire, but he was too worried about the extra few $$ it might cost--the man was an engineer at IBM, so we weren't exactly destitute!! :p).

Running ceiling fans helps, as does keeping the blinds shut.

DH and I went for a walk around noon. When the sun was behind clouds, it wasn't that bad, but being in the sun was brutal. Back to work tomorrow, unfortunately. I have packed a sweater because my office will be like a meat locker.


I couldn't survive without fans - that moving air thing. I get car sick if don't have air blowing at my face, so often I'm driving around in the winter with the seat heater on, the heat blowing on my feet and my windows open.

We had window air units when I was young - at certain temps we were allowed to use them - otherwise it was the hang out in the basement (where my bedroom was anyways) or close the blinds & use fans. Fans really don't use that much electricity, I think - at least I use them constantly!

My brother tells this funny story about how when we were young and we used to go visit some family friends who lived in a double wide trailer in Alabama - that he always thought they were rich, 'cause they used their air conditioning constantly - which we weren't allowed to do 'cause of the expense.

My other brother just emailed to tell me that even his chihuahua wants air conditioning today - typically when he puts the AC on, his dog goes out to the un-airconditioned sunroom and sits under one of the skylights to stay warm or wants to stay outside. The dog hates AC.

[Cataboo]

I grew up without air conditioning, and we kept fans on all night so we could sleep.

My mother has never lived in a house with air conditioning, and she hates it when it gets this hot during the summer. She sits in front of a fan watching TV all day -- and she is not the kind of person who enjoys watching TV all day.

I keep my thermostat at 71 in the winter, which keeps the actual temp in my living room and bedroom at 69 on cold days. And I hate it. I hate being cold all the time.

I'm glad so many people get used to it but not everyone does.


Maybe it's partly genetics of where people's ancestors came from and what temps they've evolved to deal with.

I am definitely more likely to kayak in this weather than to bike - but then I already biked in this stuff at bike virginia and I'm giving my bum a break. When I do bike in it, I wait till later in the evening, stop to take pictures more and drink more.

I think I used to be colder more often when I was skinnier.

I keep my thermostat around 65-70 in the winter, 55-60 if I'm sleeping, 50 if I'm not home. 70 or higher if I have company. I do have a little vornado foot heater thing underneath my computer desk. I keep 2 down comforters on my bed, 'cause the best thing ever is snuggling under warm downs when the bedroom's cold around me.

I spend a lot of time hiking or skiing in the winter - and after a few days skiing in like 10-20 degree temps on the mountain, I'm always walking around outside in a wool shirt with a vest over it down at the base of the mountain in 30 degree temps because it feels warm to me.

But I also don't skimp on buying wool, fleece, or down stuff - so the clothing I'm wearing is usually fairly warm for what it is.


I spent 3 years in grad school in an apartment with 12 foot ceilings, rotting window frames (the original like 1900s windows) and electric baseboard heat - actually heating that apartment was close to physically impossible - so I just had a space heater on a huge extension cord that followed me around that apartment and heated the space right around me. Heat lamps in the bathroom for when I showered. 3 downs on the bed for when I slept. I bought my condo when the landlord wanted to raise my rent without actually repairing anything. The place had a ton of character though. And I was at school most of the time.

[beccaB]

This is the time for ice cream and beer, not necessarily in that order!

[kmehrzad]

I had the heater on in my office today. :eek:

[divingbiker]

I had the heater on in my office today. :eek:

That is just wrong.

[HillSlugger]

I had the heater on in my office today. :eek:

Most days in my office I have to wear a jacket and I'm still sometimes cold. It's such a waste of energy and $$

[kmehrzad]

Most days in my office I have to wear a jacket and I'm still sometimes cold. It's such a waste of energy and $$

Sad to say, but I had the heater on in my office again today. I think the cooling system is trying to compensate for the heat outside and doing a dang good job of it, too good for my little cube.

[7rider]

My bike locker at work is tucked off in a corner near these huge compressor-thingamabobbies. A.C. Units? I dunno. But whatever they are, they were running full bore today. In addition to being screaming loud by the lockers, it felt like it was 200 degrees down there! Blech, makes you motivated to really park-and-go!

[Zen]

Yet there are still people without power.
The grid is so old and outdated. There was a good piece on Fresh Air today with Joel Achenbach who has an article about it in the current Nat'l Geo

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128360080

[Selkie]

The irony is that I went from spending the winter/spring in an office that was boiling hot (couldn't wear my winter clothes) to a new office that is colder than a meat locker. I prefer it to be cooler in the office but it's ridiculously cold (even the men are complaining). Personal heaters are verboten --fire hazards. We're supposed to move back to the oven office in the fall.

[Possegal]

Same here. My dad (the Original Miser) refused to get A/C until after my siblings & I grew up and moved out of the house. Pittsburgh summers can get hot/humid, and my dad was so cheap that he wouldn't let us even run fans at night (he claimed it might set the house on fire, but he was too worried about the extra few $$ it might cost--the man was an engineer at IBM, so we weren't exactly destitute!! :p).

Oh my, are we related? Raised in the burgh, house really did keep us a bit cooler than any other place I've ever lived - thank heaven for those old brick houses. We never had AC and my father "didn't believe in fans", which I really never quite understood. Good lordy some of those hazy/hot/humid days could be unbearable!

[Zen]

I just can't get used to this heat. i also think I'm getting dehydrated which is why I feel so sluggish.
i rode my bike to do errands in town today. At the service counter of a city office I stood fanning myself. I must have looked truly miserable; the lady who was assisting me turned her personal fan around so i could cool off :p

[Cataboo]

Here I was thinking it was awfully nice that it cooled down today - drink more water.

[Zen]

Powerade

[Selkie]

Oh my, are we related? Raised in the burgh, house really did keep us a bit cooler than any other place I've ever lived - thank heaven for those old brick houses. We never had AC and my father "didn't believe in fans", which I really never quite understood. Good lordy some of those hazy/hot/humid days could be unbearable!

That's too much---anti-fan must be a burgh thing! You're right on about the hazy/hot/humid days and nights.

We lived in the burbs (Murrysville), in one of those upper-middle class type neighborhoods built in late 60s/70s. The homes weren't as well constructed as the older homes "in town," unfortunately. In addition, there wasn't much shade because there were no established big trees---everyone had those ornamental flower cherry and dogwoods.

My parents were born in the '20s, so they grew up in the depression (big families, not much $). I think this is why my dad was such a cheapskate.

[Selkie]

I just can't get used to this heat. i also think I'm getting dehydrated which is why I feel so sluggish.
i rode my bike to do errands in town today. At the service counter of a city office I stood fanning myself. I must have looked truly miserable; the lady who was assisting me turned her personal fan around so i could cool off :p

It was pretty humid yesterday, so it's no surprise that you had the vapors, Zen. I noticed that it's been hotter up in your town than it has in DC and Arlington.

Rain today. Very temporary relief. At least it's supposed to cut the humidity but temps tomorrow are going back up to 90.

[Cataboo]

A friend is visiting from the mountains of Idaho - last week I took her up Maryland Heights, the short hike that overlooks Harper's Ferry. I only had 3 liters of water in my pack, figuring you know - it's a 5 mile hike, that's more than enough for 2 people - but I stopped drinking myself after I saw how much she was sweating:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_fkR1_xTH524/TD8VD9BjvGI/AAAAAAAACOU/snb0KLJmIpM/s720/IMGP7400.JPG

She's still asking how we breath and live in this humidity.

i did take her to the river to cool off afterwards:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_fkR1_xTH524/TD8VMG3rpJI/AAAAAAAACOk/xI21W0Yf_k8/s720/IMGP7456.JPG

[Selkie]

Nice photos, Cat. This has been one hot/humid summer. If I'm not mistaken, we're going to be very close to 100 on Friday (heat index has already been above that).

[Zen]

I was supposed to work at the dog park this weekend, something I had been looking forward to.

Last night I sent an email pleading to change this to an in-store demo

No one with any sense is bring their dogs out to run around in this heat :(

[tctrek]

Forget about being out there after 9-10am. It's unhealthy! I had a nice ride this morning, but made sure we were back home by 10am. It's not worth the risk of dehydration or worse.

[OakLeaf]

DH broke down and when I got home, he had the AC on.

I'm not complaining.

[sfa]

I'm staying in today. I was supposed to do a bike/run brick but after not sleeping well all week I couldn't get myself out of bed at 5:30 to do this, and by the time I got up at 8:00 it was too hot to get started. I figure the stress on my body would negate any training benefit I got. Even the short ride I did yesterday afternoon was pretty bad--it amazes me how much harder you have to work to do anything in the heat.

Sarah

[OakLeaf]

My garden desperately needs work and I just don't want to be out in it.

Supposed to cool off tomorrow. Just hope for no lightning at my tri...

[Selkie]

I rode 32 miles or so before dawn this morning. It was 86 degrees, for crying out loud. Swimming afterward was great ---the pool water was 84 degrees but it felt cold (indoor pool)!

Husband ran about 10 miles at Hains Point, starting just after sunrise. He said the wind was like a heat blaster.

sfa -- Riding yesterday afternoon must have been a sweat fest and the sun just makes it worse! I don't blame you for not getting out today---rest up! Hopefully, next week will be a bit cooler.

The dogs have been feasting on ice cubes--they seem to enjoy them more than dog cookies! Maybe Margot actually will lose weight after all.

[Zen]

I put a wet sweatshirt on G-Dog. She's none too happy about it but I thought it might help.
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/DOGS/DSC_0463.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/DOGS/DSC_0462.jpg
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/DOGS/th_DSC_0466.jpg (http://s206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/DOGS/?action=view&current=DSC_0466.jpg)

[kmehrzad]

I rode 37 miles today, did the Waterford, VA loop then took some side roads, started at 8am and finished around noon. At the intersection of Loyalty and Taylorstown Rd. in Lovettsville I just had to challenge the STEEP hill, not once but twice. It was brutal in the sun but I stayed hydrated. Gotta love those hills.

[ny biker]

It was 105 outside when I got home from the TdF viewing party at 4:18 pm today. I worked up a sweat while adjusting the saddle on my bike -- in the living room with the A/C on.

No rides for me today, but I'm doing ~60 miles tomorrow. Will be passing by the Chesepeake Bay, hoping for cooling breezes (tailwinds).

[Selkie]

Where are (did) you riding (ride), NY?

I rode 43 miles before dawn this morning. It was in the high 80s and I was drenched more today than yesterday. Saw a young buck (deer not human), a bunch of rabbits, a fox, and a couple 'stealth' cyclists (no lights, no helmets).

Simply too hot to walk the goldens. A cold front is coming in today, storms predicted, and we will return to our normal high temps (90ish).

As miserable as it's been, I'll take this over all that snow we had in the winter.

[IFjane]

It was in the high 80s and I was drenched more today than yesterday...
As miserable as it's been, I'll take this over all that snow we had in the winter.

Agreed on both comments, Selkie. I didn't ride this morning but ran 4 miles & was drenched, much hotter than the group ride yesterday morning! Wind blew like crazy this afternoon and lots of black clouds blew over, but not a drop of moisture. We need rain so bad, but I will take cooler temperatures even without the rain.

[7rider]

Those clouds blew in some outrageous storms and we've been withou power since 3:30 Sunday afternoon, save for one half hour span on Monday a.m.
I love my neighborhood but I hate the fact that we loose power so easily.

[Cataboo]

Those clouds blew in some outrageous storms and we've been withou power since 3:30 Sunday afternoon, save for one half hour span on Monday a.m.
I love my neighborhood but I hate the fact that we loose power so easily.


Ugh. R's house lost power about the same time as yours - it came back at about 3 am.

[ny biker]

Where are (did) you riding (ride), NY?

I rode 43 miles before dawn this morning. It was in the high 80s and I was drenched more today than yesterday. Saw a young buck (deer not human), a bunch of rabbits, a fox, and a couple 'stealth' cyclists (no lights, no helmets).

Simply too hot to walk the goldens. A cold front is coming in today, storms predicted, and we will return to our normal high temps (90ish).

As miserable as it's been, I'll take this over all that snow we had in the winter.

We did the "Train to Chesapeake" ride that PPTC/OHBC did over Memorial Day weekend. I was unable to join them then but got the cue sheet online. It starts at Harwood H.S., not far down Davidsonville Rd/Old Solomons Rd from Rt 50 in Maryland, and is a counter-clockwise loop that runs along the bay.

I was with a friend who is in town on vacation, and we were going to do the 61-mile version but the sun was so hot by 9 am (we started around 8:30) that we switched to the 47-mile route when we stopped for a break at North Beach. The heat seemed bearable for most of the ride but with about 8-10 miles to go I started to feel like crap. With only 2-3 miles left I simply had to stop, so we sat under a big shady tree for about 1/2 hour until I felt normal again -- taking the helmet off and alternating between drinking water and pouring it over my head made all the difference. It wasn't the first time that a good long break under a big tree has made such a difference on a hot day.

When we got back to the high school, the thermometer in my car read 102 degrees. We got lunch at a big new gas station/convenience store/Subway next to the school and then drove back to Virginia. Just as we got off the Beltway in Fairfax, we saw the ominous dark sky, and the storm hit as we turned into the neighborhood where my friend's parents live. I'm just glad I did not have to do much driving in it. I waited it out at her house and when I got back in my car afterwards, the temp was 75! When I got home the front door of my building was wet, and since there is a front porch protecting the door, the rain had to literally be horizontal in order to get the door wet like that.

Anyway it's nice outside now. I hope this weekend is nice because I have to do a 70-mile training ride.

[pfunk12]

We're still without power, too. No fun.


Those clouds blew in some outrageous storms and we've been withou power since 3:30 Sunday afternoon, save for one half hour span on Monday a.m.
I love my neighborhood but I hate the fact that we loose power so easily.

[IFjane]

Wow - I am about 80 miles southwest of you and we got absolutely nothing. I saw black clouds to the north but that was it. I'm sorry you are without power but glad the temperatures moderated a bit before you lost it!

My daughter lives in the Bronx and they were hit quite hard as well.

[HillSlugger]

I lost power a few times in the last few weeks, but it looks like it stayed on this time. We were out of town in Richmond for a race; there was nothing there but extreme heat.

[Cataboo]

I was with a friend who is in town on vacation, and we were going to do the 61-mile version but the sun was so hot by 9 am (we started around 8:30) that we switched to the 47-mile route when we stopped for a break at North Beach. The heat seemed bearable for most of the ride but with about 8-10 miles to go I started to feel like crap. With only 2-3 miles left I simply had to stop, so we sat under a big shady tree for about 1/2 hour until I felt normal again -- taking the helmet off and alternating between drinking water and pouring it over my head made all the difference. It wasn't the first time that a good long break under a big tree has made such a difference on a hot day.


I admire all you guys that are out biking. I've been mostly kayaking because that's so much more pleasant in this heat.

Just in case this helps (it sounds like you had it under control, anyways) - What I've noticed with biking in the heat on long rides is that I do a lot better if I'm wearing a wool jersey instead of a wicking one - the wool gets wet and stays wet with sweat - so i don't dehydrate as quickly as I do with a wicking jersey that wicks the sweat away, thus causing me to sweat more. Same thing with hiking. And if I just stop and take my helmet whenever my head is starting to feel hot (usually I need to do that about 5-10 miles into a ride, let my head cool down)

[OakLeaf]

It's BEAUTIFUL here now. Didn't the storm clear the air for you guys? :( I feel so bad for you if it didn't!

[ny biker]

It's 86 degrees outside and I was just driving with the windows open because it felt "cool."

[Cataboo]

http://www.wtop.com/?nid=25&sid=2010810

[OakLeaf]

Oh, man. :(

[Zen]

I've been without power for extended periods in the cold of winter. Had to wear numerous layers of clothing, pile the quilts on the bed, and sleep with two dogs under the covers (they do keep you warm).

Be glad it's summer.
It's warm and the days are long.

[7rider]

I've been without power for extended periods in the cold of winter. Had to wear numerous layers of clothing, pile the quilts on the bed, and sleep with two dogs under the covers (they do keep you warm).

Be glad it's summer.
It's warm and the days are long.

I'd much rather have a power outage in the winter. The fireplace kept us warm, we had hot water and were able to save the contents of our freezer and fridge.
Now - Tom is miserable in the heat (I'm in San Francicso were it's cool and pleasant), pacing the house like a caged tiger and watching the food rot.
That sucks royally.
36 hours and counting, and a generator is a definite when I get back. I don't care if we have to rake out a loan for the thing!!

[Zen]

meh.
I never have much food in the frigidaire anyway.

You city folk are spoiled.

I bathed at the gym and went to the library to use the interwebs.

You do what you gotta do.

[OakLeaf]

At least in the summertime, a power outage usually goes along with thunderstorms, so we can collect rainwater for flushing. No such luck in the winter.

[Zen]

That's why you keep a stock of gallon jugs filled with water.
Also, even in the winter, you get ice for necessities like milk.

I can also start a fire with a band-aid and a paper clip ;)

[Selkie]

...

I can also start a fire with a band-aid and a paper clip ;)

You learned some great skills during your time in the pokey, didn't ya? ;)

7 -- I'm with you. There's no good time to be without power, particularly if it's for more than a few hours. A generator sounds like a good investment...

[kmehrzad]

I can also start a fire with a band-aid and a paper clip ;)

You'll have to show me this trick. It may come in handy when I do my x-country trip.

[ny biker]

This is a very cool* write-up on the storm that ended the heat wave on Sunday:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/capitalweathergang/2010/07/a_behind-the-scenes_look_at_su.html

*Well, I guess it's only very cool if you're a weather geek like I am. ;)

I remember one or two summers ago we had a severe storm pass through, and it was a bow echo. There was enough wind damage from that storm to make me remember: if the meteorologist says the words "bow echo," head for cover now, seriously like right this minute.

I've read that some of the wind gusts from this storm were higher than those from Hurricane Isabel.

[ny biker]

Well, with the storm that just blew through, I'm hearing about 40-50 trees are down in my neighborhood and there are intermittent power outages. I was going to go to the gym tonight, but I just got an email that it's closed due to the power being out there, too. This is the Shirlington/Fairlington area of Arlington, for those in NoVa.

I'm really glad I had them take down the big shady but diseased tree behind my building.

We've got another severe thunderstorm warning in effect right now. I heard there were tornado warnings in some parts of the area from the first storm. I hope no one was hurt.

I was out riding my bike last night and got caught in the rain briefly, but thankfully it was not nearly this severe and there wasn't even any thunder or lightning.

This has been a crazy weather year...I wish it would calm down.

[Zen]

I haven't gotten any of those storm that you guys have had in the DC area. Not even the storms that went through Frederick.
Must be something about the mountains.

[Cataboo]

I haven't gotten any of those storm that you guys have had in the DC area. Not even the storms that went through Frederick.
Must be something about the mountains.

I didn't get any storms today :( A splattering of rain only.

Nonsense, I distinctly remember you telling me that you only live 8 miles from me and that ridge in between us had no effect on the weather between us.

Thanks for the peach, btw! I found it when I got home today. How long's it been on my door?

[7rider]

I didn't get any storms today :( A splattering of rain only.

I took a cab home from Metro yesterday because it looked so ominous and I could see the lightning flashing and I didn't want to walk the two blocks from the bus stop to my house in pouring rain and lightning (been there...done that, and it's NO fun!). But it never rained much more than a trickle. Didn't even wet the roads under the tree canopy. :mad: I then drove up to my appointment in Burtonsville (about 6 miles north of my house, which is about 8 miles north of the D.C. line), and they had JUST gotten a soaking, but that was it. I missed all storms on all sides. :rolleyes: I think yesterday's stayed in D.C. proper and points south. Fine by me. In our third-world neighborhood, we lose power if someone sneezes by a transformer, so I was just fine with no bad storms in my 'hood.

[divingbiker]

I took a cab home from Metro yesterday because it looked so ominous and I could see the lightning flashing and I didn't want to walk the two blocks from the bus stop to my house in pouring rain and lightning (been there...done that, and it's NO fun!). But it never rained much more than a trickle. Didn't even wet the roads under the tree canopy. :mad: I then drove up to my appointment in Burtonsville (about 6 miles north of my house, which is about 8 miles north of the D.C. line), and they had JUST gotten a soaking, but that was it. I missed all storms on all sides. :rolleyes: I think yesterday's stayed in D.C. proper and points south. Fine by me. In our third-world neighborhood, we lose power if someone sneezes by a transformer, so I was just fine with no bad storms in my 'hood.


I'm in NE so I missed it all.

7, have you bought a generator yet?

[7rider]

I'm in NE so I missed it all.

7, have you bought a generator yet?

Not yet. Still investigating options/prices.


Someone on my neighborhood listserv posted this as entertainment ideas for when the power goes out - yet again:
http://www.shadow-puppets.com/shadow-puppet-0.html

[ny biker]

Alexandria is still under a state of emergency. The GW parkway was closed in both directions during yesterday's p.m. rush because of trees down.

A guy who owns a company that does lots of home remodeling work in my 'hood sent his guys out with chain saws, and between them and the work the county has been doing, the streets of my neighborhood are now lined with pieces of trees. I hope that means the county is sending a truck to collect it all. Otherwise we'll be back to having people fighting over parking spaces like they did after the blizzards.

However I did have electricity last night. It had gone out after the storm but was back on before I got home.

BTW I saw on the news this morning that a woman in Cumberland was hit by a tree while riding her bike and was killed. I do think about that kind of thing when I get caught in a storm -- the other night it started to rain while I was out riding and I seriously wondered what would happen if I just went and stood on a stranger's front porch for shelter. Fortunately it was just a shower, with no severe weather.

[7rider]

I do think about that kind of thing when I get caught in a storm -- the other night it started to rain while I was out riding and I seriously wondered what would happen if I just went and stood on a stranger's front porch for shelter. Fortunately it was just a shower, with no severe weather.

DH one time took shelter from a storm while on a bike ride in a church's doorway (no one was there at the time!). He later found out that the storm had blown a roof off a nearby building! :eek:

I tend to not commute by bike when NWS is calling for storms with "severe and damaging winds" or "dangerous lightning." There are a few places to seek shelter on my ride home...but frankly, it's not worth it to me.

[Zen]

I didn't get any storms today :( A splattering of rain only.

Nonsense, I distinctly remember you telling me that you only live 8 miles from me and that ridge in between us had no effect on the weather between us.

Exactly. Neither one of us had rain.

Thanks for the peach, btw! I found it when I got home today. How long's it been on my door?
Since Wednesday. It came from the farm stand at Rite-Aid on Baughman's Lane.

[Cataboo]

My windows are closed & locked and the ac is on :)

The shopping cart nazi drove me to use my air conditioning. I pushed my shopping cart to the side instead of putting it in an appropriate spot at the grocery store today, so some guy followed me home in his black suv... Informed me I'd left my cart in the wrong spot, and asked if I wanted to go back and put it away. I said"hrmm. Nope" and he said "Okay, well, I'll be back later" I went into the house and locked the door - and heard a thud from outside. I went out later and found like a 2 inch round nut on the grass next to the house - so I guess he threw it at the house.

I'm assuming noone's stupid enough to actually come back to escalate a shopping cart issue, but then I wouldn't have thought anyone would have followed me home to throw metal things at my house - so I decided to lock up more than usual.

[divingbiker]

...some guy followed me home in his black suv... Informed me I'd left my cart in the wrong spot, and asked if I wanted to go back and put it away. I said"hrmm. Nope" and he said "Okay, well, I'll be back later" I went into the house and locked the door - and heard a thud from outside. I went out later and found like a 2 inch round nut on the grass next to the house - so I guess he threw it at the house.


Wow. This guy needs to get a life.

(My boss at my first job out of college was a paraplegic, and he would always push the cart with his feet to return it to the store (this was before they had places in the parking lot to put the carts). Ever since, for 30+ years, I've always put my cart away. I figured if he could do it, so could I. Turns out that habit might save my life someday!)

[7rider]

Wow. This guy needs to get a life.

(My boss at my first job out of college was a paraplegic, and he would always push the cart with his feet to return it to the store (this was before they had places in the parking lot to put the carts). Ever since, for 30+ years, I've always put my cart away. I figured if he could do it, so could I. Turns out that habit might save my life someday!)

Agree.
But I think I would've been on the line to 9-1-1 before you could say "Loser."
Plus, I have had more dents and dings in my car from people too lazy to return a cart to the store or even the corral, who just let carts loose. Pet peeve of mine. :mad:

[Zen]

My jeep is 13 years old and has one small dent in it.
From someone elses shopping cart :mad:

[OakLeaf]

Yep. All of it.

Still, Cat said she pushed it off "to the side." I don't know what that meant. I've been known to leave a cart up against the wall rather than take it all the way back into the store (and waste AC opening and closing the doors), so long as (1) the cart isn't going to roll away and (2) it leaves enough room for wheelchair access.

[Cataboo]

Nowhere near the handicap parking spaces and the front wheels were hooked - so it wasn't going to go careening into someone's car without being hit by a car. This was also one of those small shopping carts with the basket up top and on the bottom (less weight to start it careening around). and yes, I'd be a ton better of a person if I put that shopping cart away.

I have a ton of dings on my car, but they've been from people opening their doors and slamming them into the car. No shopping cart dings.

If someone tells me in a parking lot to put the cart away, sure I'll do it. If he'd honked at me in the parking lot, I'd have put it away. Or in the time it took to follow me, he could have just put the shopping cart away himself if he was that worried about its placement. If there's a precarious shopping cart when I'm in a parking lot that I'm worried about, I will push it to a safe spot without getting annoyed at random people.

But once you follow me home, throw metal things at my house, and add in an implied threat that you will be back later, that's basically inexcusable no matter how much of a pet peeve shopping carts are to someone.

[Big Rabbit]

I didn't realize others had cramps, too. I thought it was me being weird. I don't get cramps during a ride mainly because I limit my rides to 20 - 22 miles; I get cramps hours later. The cramping is so bad sometimes that my calves feel bruised the next day. Since I'm a newby to bike riding, I don't know what to do about it. I tried Guu but that made me sick; it's so icky. I take 1500 mg of CA every day so that isn't helping and magnesium gives me the runs. Any other ideas?

[Cataboo]

I didn't realize others had cramps, too. I thought it was me being weird. I don't get cramps during a ride mainly because I limit my rides to 20 - 22 miles; I get cramps hours later. The cramping is so bad sometimes that my calves feel bruised the next day. Since I'm a newby to bike riding, I don't know what to do about it. I tried Guu but that made me sick; it's so icky. I take 1500 mg of CA every day so that isn't helping and magnesium gives me the runs. Any other ideas?

Potassium? Eat bananas? I use cliff shot bloks as electrolyte replacement.

[kmehrzad]

Potassium? Eat bananas? I use cliff shot bloks as electrolyte replacement.

I don't know if every Target carries Shot Bloks, but a cycling friend stopped by my office today and gave me a pack of Strawberry Shot Bloks he picked up from Target for $1.25. This could be a special they're running, I'm not sure, but I'm going to Target after work to buy some Shot Bloks for future use.

[Cataboo]

i've een cliff bars before at target, but haven't looked for blocks... I've still got quite a stash to eat my way through, even though I'm mostly out of the caffeinated flavors.

[OakLeaf]

Maybe try another form of magnesium. What did you have a problem with? Citrate? Carbonate isn't as bioavailable, but you might be able to deal with it better. Or one of the chelates, if that wasn't what gave you an issue.

I personally wouldn't be taking any calcium supplement without magnesium (or that high a dosage without zinc and copper as well), but that's just me...

[Zen]

Nunn tablets and Powerade.
It's also important to drink lots off the bike as well.

[Selkie]

It's also important to drink lots off the bike as well.

ahem! :p (sorry, I couldn't resist) ;)

[Big Rabbit]

I'm not sure I'm doing this reply stuff correctly. I clicked "post reply" to tell you all "thank you" for your suggestions but I'm not sure if I'm replying to the last message or all of you. Anyway, I hope you all get this and I thank you.

I have to take 15 mg Ca at my doctor's suggestion along with Vit D. I also take hydrochlorazide for high blood pressure which I found out this morning causes cramping. Bah! I hate getting old. I don't remember what kind of Magnesium I took but it surely cleansed out my system. I'm going to try the Shot Blocks and see my doctor about this hydro. . . crap.

[kmehrzad]

Today I came across this type of electrolyte replacement. Looks quite promising to me and much less expensive than the Shot Bloks. Check it out:

http://new.eletewater.com/

[Zen]

Have you looked at the comparison chart on their website?
I need the hard stuff.
Plus I like watching the Nunn tabs fizz.

[Cataboo]

Have you looked at the comparison chart on their website?
I need the hard stuff.
Plus I like watching the Nunn tabs fizz.

The whole propylene glycol/antifreeze in nunn tabs freaks me out and I can't drink them.


It does explain why you are so cold blooded, though ;)

[kmehrzad]

Have you looked at the comparison chart on their website?
I need the hard stuff.
Plus I like watching the Nunn tabs fizz.

Yes, I did check out the comparison chart (I like it. Kinda feel like I'm buying Progressive Insurance with the comparison chart.).

Anyway, the Elete is all natural. That's a big selling point for me. A certain scientist that we know and love told me that Polyethylene Glycol found in Nuun is also in antifreeze. I think I'll pass on the antifreeze ...

[Zen]

Heh.
In the course of my lifetime that may be one of the least toxic substances I've ingested.

[kmehrzad]

Heh.
In the course of my lifetime that may be one of the least toxic substances I've ingested.

Next time we meet up I'll bring you a small jar of pickled garlic (over 9 yrs. old) and a quart of Prestone to wash it down. ;)

[Zen]

Bring that Prestone in a mason jar and it'll be just like old times.

[ny biker]

So, I'm going for a fitting for a new bike purchase today, which means I will probably be out test riding a new bike. And it's freaking 90 degrees out there today. Of course this will happen in mid-afternoon when the sun is high.

And then I will go back to work, all sweaty and disgusting.

I was supposed to do this on Tuesday, when the weather was beautiful, but had to reschedule due to another freakish allergic response involving big patches of red, itchy skin.

I hope the new bike is so fabulous that I don't notice the heat!!

p.s. I'm looking at a Madone 4.5. The goal is a better fit than my current (aluminum) bike, but I might as well upgrade to carbon while I'm at it.

[HillSlugger]

So, I'm going for a fitting for a new bike purchase today, which means I will probably be out test riding a new bike. And it's freaking 90 degrees out there today. Of course this will happen in mid-afternoon when the sun is high.

And then I will go back to work, all sweaty and disgusting.

I was supposed to do this on Tuesday, when the weather was beautiful, but had to reschedule due to another freakish allergic response involving big patches of red, itchy skin.

I hope the new bike is so fabulous that I don't notice the heat!!

p.s. I'm looking at a Madone 4.5. The goal is a better fit than my current (aluminum) bike, but I might as well upgrade to carbon while I'm at it.

I hope you enjoy the ride. I rode the 5.1 and I'm planning on getting the 5.5.

[ny biker]

I couldn't believe how much I sweated in such a short time!! I wound up testing a 2010 4.7 that is on sale. Going back tomorrow for a longer ride to see if I can live with a compact double instead of a triple.

Predicted high tomorrow is "only" 86. It hit 99 today!!

[Cataboo]

Stupid me went for her first ride in like two months today. 45 miles. On my surly with its fat tires. Which officially is a bike I'm selling, because OWW. The fact that it has flame stickers and I picked every part and built it myself and all that nostalgia is no reason to keep a bike that just doesn't fit right for long rides.

But it was a fun ride. I forgot to take off my undies beneath my bike shorts 'cause I wasn't making good decisions today unfortunately, so OWWIES.

For the last 17 miles it felt like alien monsters were trying to rip their heads out of my calves.

[Zen]

That post is useless without pictures.

[Cataboo]

That post is useless without pictures.


*cough*

Did you want to see a pic of my OWWIES from wearing undies under my bike shorts? 'cause I gotta say, that's the first time I've had a female request pics of that part of me :)

[Zen]

don't flatter yourself.

i want to see the calves with the alien monsters.

[Cataboo]

don't flatter yourself.

i want to see the calves with the alien monsters.

crap. I just wasted a lot of time in front of a mirror with my camera then.

[Zen]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA!
Oh snort!