Heat heat go away!

[Catrin]

I haven't been complaining about the heat, and for you in the SW what we have probably doesn't seem very hot. Yesterday I tried to ride in 98 degree temps that was somewhat humid...

Two other times this summer I've ridden in >95 temps and every time I've had the same results - nausea and, last night, a headache :( I ate more than an hour before heading out, had water and shot blocks for electrolytes with me. The LAST time I was able to wait out the nausea and was fine after the first 45 minutes. Last night was the worse of all, the nausea just kept getting worse, with the headache, until I just gave in and slowly rode home.

Once home I had another huge glass of water, did my normal post-ride stretches, and lay on the carpet for about 5 minutes. The nausea and headache left as soon as my body cooled off.

Should this be expected for riding in 98-99 degree temps? Am I just a wimp? It is frustrating, because it is supposed to be just as hot today, and the area where my favorite mountain bike trail are located is supposed to reach 100 degrees tomorrow :mad:

[WindingRoad]

Catrin there was a lady last night at the Nebo ride that got a bad case of heat stroke after/during the ride. So no, its not just you. She was one of the racers too. It was miserable though, I downed a bottle of water before leaving, dumped one entire bottle over my head, ate 4 cliff blocks then carried 2 full bottles on the bike. One of which had MORE electrolytes in it. I downed both of those during the ride too.

I hope you are feeling better today. Better take it easy over the next couple of days.;)

[Catrin]

Catrin there was a lady last night at the Nebo ride that got a bad case of heat stroke after/during the ride. So no, its not just you. She was one of the racers too. It was miserable though, I downed a bottle of water before leaving, dumped one entire bottle over my head, ate 4 cliff blocks then carried 2 full bottles on the bike. One of which had MORE electrolytes in it. I downed both of those during the ride too.

I hope you are feeling better today. Better take it easy over the next couple of days.;)

Thank you, it is good to know though am sorry to hear about her. I suspect my normal pre-ride dinner might be a little heavy for high temps - but a chicken sandwich is perfect most of the time. I HAVE to fuel pre-ride, it keeps my blood sugar stable and if it isn't too light I don't feel a need to eat everything in reach afterwards...

I felt fine once I cooled off a bit, and feel fine today. No riding today, there isn't time and two days in a row in this heat would just be too much. I think I WILL go for a very early ride tomorrow, head out right after daylight...

Looks like Monday will be sweet though, for any kind of riding, BCSP here I come :D

[OakLeaf]

The trouble is it hasn't been consistently hot. Whatever heat acclimation we got back in June and early July, we mostly lost during the cool August. So us mideasterners are kind of back to square one with heat acclimation.

A friend of mine wound up puking his guts out in the ambulance at a trail marathon in WV last weekend where it wasn't even that hot, just very humid.

Be careful.


... and thanks for the kick in the @ss to get out there and get my run done before it gets any hotter. :rolleyes:

[jessmarimba]

Ugh, I feel ya. I feel like summer has been so short, but I'm ready for fall.

Our heat is hardly comparable to, say, Texas, but we've set something like 5 record highs in the last 8 days. If the upstairs of my house didn't get hotter than outside, I don't think I'd mind so much.

I was getting worried yesterday because I'd done a pretty grueling run. Drank water the whole time, went to a restaurant afterwards and had maybe 5 more glasses of water. I was getting ready for bed and I still didn't really have to pee.

Thankfully I woke up early this morning b/c I thought my bladder was going to explode :)

[MichelleOH]

Catrin, you're not that far from me, and today is supposed to be our 31st day of temps over 90 degrees this summer. Ugh...that's an entire month. I can't wait for Monday! Sounds like it will be fantastic and I will give my new ride a better workout!

Stay cool. ;)

[Hi Ho Silver]

[razzing mode on] Aw, y'all are wimps! We've had 76 days this summer with 3-digit temperatures. [razzing mode off]

One thing I've found is that to adequately hydrate, I need to start drinking water the night before, and the same goes for carb loading. I don't eat or drink anything the hour before I ride because it upsets my stomach and gut. (I think the queasiness is due to my body being so dedicated to cooling itself when I ride that the contents of my stomach don't get digested properly, if at all.)


Jean

[tytbody]

Your not weak. it's flaming hot girl. It's only 67 here. I guess that's perfect weather. But 'm not looking forward to cooler temps. I'm sitting on the back porch realizing it is at our doorsteps and 8 weeks will fly by because I'm getting a new bike.

Temps in the triple digits. I don't think you're suppose to be riding....

[jlnc]

Catrin it sounds like you were diligent about drinking on the ride. We had some really hot/humid days here in NC this summer, and i found that i had have one bottle of ICE COLD water with me, so I could squirt a little bit on the back of my neck throughout the ride, to help cool my body down just a bit. I usually carry 2 bottles (1 water, 1 diluted sports drink) on my rides, and drink most of them, so the only hard thing is making sure I don't use all of the water on my neck.

[Catrin]

I tend to not drink much more than coffee at the office, and I suspect that was part of the problem. I didn't pre-hydrate enough...

We've broken lots of heat records this summer, as many have around the country. Apparently yesterday was the hottest in something like 50+ years...no wonder I had trouble :eek:

[indysteel]

I tend to not drink much more than coffee at the office, and I suspect that was part of the problem. I didn't pre-hydrate enough...

Caffeinated?

If so, it's no wonder you have trouble sleeping. I would strive to change that habit......

[Crankin]

I agree my favorite riding temperatures are between 55 and 70. But, I love fall the most, and I like winter, too, because I can do different sports. Fall and winter are what they are supposed to be, but, many times, spring isn't. So in March, when I am going out on my first rides, I don't like it, even though it is no colder than it was in November!
But, I think Oak is right. When you slowly acclimate yourself to the heat, it is easier. I did that last summer, since it was so hot. I ride on days I never would have before, now, but I get out early, and often if it's in the nineties, my rides are slower and in a particularly shady location. You just have to be careful and learn what you need for hydration. And I second the water bottle for dousing yourself. I always have one bottle of plain water.

[Catrin]

Caffeinated?

If so, it's no wonder you have trouble sleeping. I would strive to change that habit......

I don't drink coffee after 10-11am at the latest. My problem is remembering to drink ANYTHING in the afternoon...

+1 on having clear water to douse ourselves with, for some reason this year I have forgotten to do that - last year I did it all of the time. I won't forget tomorrow, for sure! I am going out close to dawn to beat the heat but it will likely still be needed.

[Aggie_Ama]

I am not going to point out "my heat is worse than yours" because if you aren't used to it no matter if it s 105 or 90 it is going to be noticeable. I have struggled all summer here are somethings that have helped keep my response minimal. I did have one ride I ended up with just shy of heat exhaustion, I threw up until I was dry heaving. If it weren't for a friend with gatorade, electrolytes and ice I would have likely been heading to the ER.


Hydrate - before, during, after. I try to drink about 80 oz of water and 20 oz Gatorade a day. Limit my favorite vice (soda) to one per day. As weird as it seems I keep tabs on the color of my urine to make sure I am staying in a good hydrated level.
Don't push too hard. I try to keep my perceived effort in zone 7 (max). This is far from anaerobic and I could talk in complete sentences, my mouth will be open but it is sustainable, I will intentionally ride lower pace than I could in cooler temps. It sucks if you feel particularly good but you can really pay if you start too hard.
Take long breaks if you get too hot. I used to just sit until my heart rate came down so maybe a minute or two, now if I start to feel the little bit of nausea or headache I will take a long break. Lay down or sit, take your helmet off. If you stand or sit and still feel a little nausea or light headed stay longer. Sometimes I may need to rest 10 minutes.
If possible I carry an extra bottle that has been frozen, I just use one of those little 12 oz plastic spring water bottles. As it melts you can pour it on your head or neck to regulate your temperature. I can easily fit one in my Camelbak mountain biking and on the road I can put it in my jersey pocket. This leaves me the option to carry Gatorade (or your favorite electrolyte) and water for drinking.

[Miranda]

I don't drink coffee after 10-11am at the latest. My problem is remembering to drink ANYTHING in the afternoon...
+1 on having clear water to douse ourselves with, for some reason this year I have forgotten to do that - last year I did it all of the time. I won't forget tomorrow, for sure! I am going out close to dawn to beat the heat but it will likely still be needed.

What about a timer?

Most any cell phone, or maybe even something in your pc, or similiar, might work for a timed reminder to drink. I know that might sound a bit OTT but I read something similiar in one of my distance riding training books... to have something to set a timer on your bike to drink/eat during your ride. I even do this when I'm teaching spin class. I know I need to at least make it to the bottom of a large water bottle, so I pace the drinking about with the ride.

You could try and fill up your containers in advance at lunch hour, and make a point to finish them before you leave work. I can't stand to drink anything but water riding (makes me puke otherwise) so I use Clif Shot Blocks. Margaritta flavor is triple the sodium content. You just chew them up like gummy bears, and time yourself eating so many in certain distance/time.

I get deathly sick from the humidity. It kills my asthma. When there is an air quality control alert for weather I figure it's not worth it health wise for me to ride. Sometimes I will focus on quality vs quantity. Near dusk I'll ride my xc bike briskly as possible like a time trial, or some on-off intervals. But time wise a short ride in the heat. Your heart is working so much harder with the weather as is, from a PE standpoint it's enough.

I love Fall so much. I can not wait for this sticky mess outside to be done!

[tzvia]

Catrin- Glad you got over that nausea soon after getting inside and getting your core cooled. I agree with the others, pre-hydrading and re-hydrating will help a lot. Your body needs the proper fluids and electrolytes to regulate your core temp.

I used to get bad cramps and nausea minutes into strenuous rides in the summer. Thought it was me just being soooo out of shape. I ended up cutting the coffee to one cup in like a month or more, and replacing it with not-caffeinated tea that I drink throughout the day if at work to re-hydrate for the commute home. Once the tea was finished (I used a French press at my desk with 4 red or camomile tea bags and a little honey) I switched to ice water. A few Bloks or similar electrolite chews just before the ride and half way home, and no cramps or nausea.

It's not just a pre ride thing. Most people are dehydraded as a constant state. It takes a conscious effort to hydrate properly but I feel better overall if I keep the fluid intake UP.

[Reesha]

I haven't been complaining about the heat, and for you in the SW what we have probably doesn't seem very hot. Yesterday I tried to ride in 98 degree temps that was somewhat humid...

Two other times this summer I've ridden in >95 temps and every time I've had the same results - nausea and, last night, a headache :( I ate more than an hour before heading out, had water and shot blocks for electrolytes with me. The LAST time I was able to wait out the nausea and was fine after the first 45 minutes. Last night was the worse of all, the nausea just kept getting worse, with the headache, until I just gave in and slowly rode home.

Once home I had another huge glass of water, did my normal post-ride stretches, and lay on the carpet for about 5 minutes. The nausea and headache left as soon as my body cooled off.

Should this be expected for riding in 98-99 degree temps? Am I just a wimp? It is frustrating, because it is supposed to be just as hot today, and the area where my favorite mountain bike trail are located is supposed to reach 100 degrees tomorrow :mad:

I've kept my entire house (except my bedroom) close to outside air temperature. It has especially sucked these last few days, because it's been so relentless. Nonetheless, the plan has worked-- heat is much more tolerable overall, especially when I bike commute. It's not an appealing plan, but it is effective. (Also, mainly we do it to save money. Using the central air in our old, brick, leaky house is $$$$)

[Catrin]

Thanks again for all of the advice, and yes, I NEED to drink more in general... The heat wave has continued, Thursday it was 99 when I headed out (I was one degree off), yesterday it got to 99, today it is supposed to reach 97-98 - crazy start to September :eek: Most of August has been quite pleasant with temps in the 80s and low 90s...

I am just waiting 15 more minutes for it to get a little lighter and will head out for a long ride. My Camelbak is full of ice water, and I've a bottle of strawberry Heed and a bottle of clear water. My fuel-box is filled with Stinger gels. It should still be in the 80s until noon so this is more than I actually need to take with me but I am taking it anyway! It is also quite humid and since I am planning on a >2.5 hour ride it doesn't seem a bad idea.

Monday it is supposed to reach a high of 73 degrees...mountain bike trails here I come :D

[skhill]

Glad to hear it's not just me! Yesterday here in Lexington KY we hit 98F, our hottest day of the year, and today we're forcast to be around that again. Two weeks of cooler than average temps, a few days of scortching, then Monday we might not break 70. I did my worst 5k ever this morning, with a 90F temp when I finished at about 9:30 am...

When it's much over 90F, I try to be sensible about riding or running-- everyting is slow, and I try to bring plenty of water and listen to my body. Try to, but don't always follow through!

[jusdooit]

Not to beat a dead horse, but drinking lots of water the day before is paramount in the heat. I have also learned to drink only water or electrolyte drinks in the morning of a hot ride.......never coffee. About a month ago we had an organized ride with temp + heat index reaching 110+ on wide open (read no shade) roads. I ended up getting two bags of IV's, along with a friend of mine, many others had to SAG. The heat is brutal, our bodies don't like it.
Hope today went better.

[Catrin]

Not to beat a dead horse, but drinking lots of water the day before is paramount in the heat. I have also learned to drink only water or electrolyte drinks in the morning of a hot ride.......never coffee. About a month ago we had an organized ride with temp + heat index reaching 110+ on wide open (read no shade) roads. I ended up getting two bags of IV's, along with a friend of mine, many others had to SAG. The heat is brutal, our bodies don't like it.
Hope today went better.

I am glad to hear you recovered :eek: Yeah, this week I just did not take the heat seriously enough.

Today I rode much earlier in the day (started at dawn) and rode a hard 40 miles. I had plenty of electrolytes and water, and forced myself to eat the recommended number of Stinger Gels per hour...it is really hard for me to eat anything on the bike. I should have had something a little more substantial with me but it worked out fine.

I felt much better than after recent rides. I think I've been pushing the edge for a while on hydration/electrolyte/fuel issues and the other day was hot enough to push it over the edge :o

[Bike Writer]

Gone, in Michigan anyway. We went from the high 90's Fri and Saturday, so humid Sunday it felt like 90 but wasn't. Today 55.

[marni]

today was our second day since late June with temperatures in the double rather than the three digits. We are almost giddy.

Unfortunately the winds are 20-30 mph and the state of Texas is burning. Still Only 1/2 " of rain since mid January. Most of the fires are due to electric wires being blown down and sparking into the extra extra dry grass.

sure wish the weather would give us a break.

marni

[Dogmama]

In AZ, riding happens during the early morning hours. Even at early evening, the temps can still be 95 - 100 degrees. But it's a dry heat, so they say, except during monsoons. I still feel for you folks with 90 degree weather and high humidity. That must be really hard.

We had an nice overcast day - the first one is a very long time. No rain but no blast furnace heat when you open the door. I just wish we had leaves that changed. My tree changes colors & drops leaves - in December (no joke.)