Heat Tolerance

[BeeLady]

I do know that various breeds of cattle have varying degrees of heat/humidity tolerance. I don't know about people but it wouldn't surprise me.

A suggestion: take up some form of "hot" yoga classes, Bikram or some other kind if you can find it. I've been doing it for a couple of months now and I'm looking forward to laughing at the upcoming summer heat!

[Starfish]

I love the heat (more so if it is dry heat). My first multi-day tour had 3 days of 104 degree sunshine. Others were suffering (and granted, I did feel hot), but I did just fine. I am happier in 90 degrees than 65.

I was born and raised 50 miles from the North American rain forest...lots of clouds, rain and lowish temps. When I did that multi-day tour (in another region), I was living in Seattle, not known for its heat.

My long-winded point, I guess, is that nothing in my background would suggest I would do well in the heat, but I do. Go figure.

[crazycanuck]

Bluetree, I too wonder. Being from Canada, I can handle the cold but it takes a bit of work with getting used to the heat.

If it's above 35C-try to stay in the shade, wear a ton of sunscreen & grin n bear it. I'm not a big fan of hot weather but it's hard to escape when ya live in Western Australia.

I saw folks riding home in the 42C weather yesterday & thought
I'm biking home tonight but it's only 36C today.

C

[GLC1968]

I totally buy Mimi's explanation based on my experience. I was born when it was -27F (not including wind chill) and my husband was born in May in the deep south. When we ride in the summer heat (temps consistently near 100 F), he always fares better than I do.

BUT, that said...it is possible to acclimate. Our first century was last August and I anticipated awful heat. I forced myself to ride increasing distances at the hottest hours of the day in preparation. While that century turned out to be the coldest day of the summer, I was able to benefit from my 'heat training' for other hot rides that year. The previous summer (and for most of my life) the heat made me miserable. That year...not so much. I plan to do the same thing this year because that heat tolerance let me ride much more that year (on days that I might otherwise have skipped).

Unfortunately, I did have a reoccuring heat rash problem on my legs. Nothing seemed to prevent that, but it did not affect my cycling at all (it was just ugly ).

I think that you can help your body learn to adjust (to a point).

[caligurl]

hmmmmmm i don't know... but i know i prefer the heat the cold! i'll ride in temps over 100 degrees... but give me 50's (or 60's) and i'm miserable!)

i grew up in upstate NY.... so cold.... BRRRRRRR! and, of course, i know live in the desert!

[missymaya]

Growing up in the heat for me, when it hits 80 degrees, I think it feels great, while my coworker, who's from Michigan, thinks its hot and on the other hand, when it gets to the 60's, I'm freezing and he thinks the temp is perfect. But, I agree with GLC1968, one can acclimate to the weather, it's just gonna take some time.

[mimitabby]

and some of us have more capacity to acclimate than others.