Hottest ride to date

[Catrin]

Weather.com said that it was 95 degrees when I went out tonight to ride, and they had a big red box around their warning. I thought about not going, but the temp will be 99 tomorrow and I won't ride in that + I've things to do. I had to get some kind of hot ride in this week or Saturday will just kill me, so I went out.

Compared to what many of you ride in these temperatures it was a pretty wimpy ride - only 15 miles. Still the hottest I've ever ridden in, and with my asthma I am careful with extreme temps either way. Apparently today was the hottest day in the region since 1999, and we've not had such a run of hot days since the 1940's!

For some reason my stomach was a little queasy the first 10 miles, I suspect dinner was a bit heavy for the temps. Had Heed in my little Camelbak that I reserve for that purpose, and the last 5 miles were fun. Thought about continuing for at least another 5 mile loop, but decided to not press my luck - especially since I've no idea where my rescue inhaler is...extreme temps seem to be my primary remaining trigger these days.

I did see a couple squirrels just sprawled out on their bellies on shady concrete. They didn't bother moving when they saw me, just watched me ride around them.

Anyone else getting out for mid-week hot rides?

[Thorn]

Commuting in it (same weather pattern as you). 14 mile trip, one-way. And I don't do well in the heat. I wilt at 80.

We've had way too many hot days (90+) for summer already so I've been playing with ideas. Ice cubes in the water bottle (melt too quickly); travelling via the park to cool down (doesn't really work), etc.

This week I filled up my thermos with ice cubes and a little water before I leave work. On Tuesday, I stopped at the farmer's market about 1/2 way. Drank the ice water and then took some of the ice cubes and threw them down the back of the jersey where they stayed put at the base of my neck by the backpack I was wearing to carry the fragiles. Every traffic light I tossed another one or two into the jersey. It really helped, but it wasn't all that hot (*only* 88).

Today was over 95 and I didn't have a back pack. Instead I tied a knot into my Buff and put some ice cubes in there. Had to stop every 15 minutes or so to add some more. Kept the back of the neck cool and dripped cold water slowly down my back. It really kept me from overheating. Decadent, but effective.

I continue to be amazed at how easy it is to keep cycling in all weather. A couple of years ago, I was a fair weather cyclist. Now I find myself out enjoying my ride in weather I would have avoided.

[trista]

It is crazy hot. I got out today but it was 7:00 am and not yet unbearable. The humidity is just awful though. I felt wet before I started sweating!

[Crankin]

I did a rare after work ride with a friend. It was 95 on my way home from work, but I think it was "only" 89 or so on the ride. There were some clouds, and a stiff breeze, but it was hot. I stopped and dumped water down my jersey about half way through the 15.5 mile ride.
The worst is yet to come. Tomorrow and Friday will be about 100 and humid. I am resting/lifting weights and Friday I might venture out at 5 AM.

[Bike Writer]

I rode yesterday and today. It's torrid out there! Yesterday it was not as humid and I'd been indoors all day at work so my body was super cooled down and it just didn't feel that bad to me. Today I had after work errands and got heated up just from in and out the car plus the humidity today was killer. I have not had early morning rides because of meetings so I've been going the last hour before sunset.

I hate heat and humidity so I am very surprised at going out in it and tolerating it. Tomorrow is supposed to be the worst of it and I have an evening meeting so I guess I won't be riding.

It's nearly a year since I got back into riding and when I picked up my bike last year it was the hottest day of the year. I was so excited that I rode it anyway and knew that was a sign of how much I loved being on a bike.

[Tokie]

I read an article that said the only way to train/acclimate to exercising in heat was.....training and exercising in heat. On our cross country ride and RAGBRAI, we have ridden long hours and miles in wilting 95 to 100+ heat. but NOTHING prepared us for riding in heat above 85 degrees with the incredible humidity we found in Minnesota,Wisconsin and New York last summer. Heat is do-able, but heat + humidity is not. Unbelievable! I guess in part that sweating in a humid environment is useless for lowering your body temp? Be careful out there! tokie

[northstar]

The heat index was in the 120's here (130 in Moorhead) yesterday. It has been beastly. The only time I stepped out was to get the mail. No riding, no way!

Today it's only supposed to be 85 or so. But it's back to insanity tomorrow.