Hot! Hot! Hot!

[KkAllez]

Another Texan here to whine about this hot weather. It is like a humid oven here in west Texas and I'm used to dry heat. We rode Sunday and although the temp said 93 I'm betting the heat index was well over a 100. It was a punishing 27.8 miles. Not to mention the wind that completed that seared steak feeling.

I thought I had more time to ride midday. Looks like I'll be up really early to get a ride in from now on.

Which brings to question: what temperature do you draw the line at and say 'no way'! AND what sunscreen works best? I tried BullFrog Sunday. It was a spray. I think I'll go back to the BullFrog gel, that way I know I'll get all exposed skin.

BullFrog 36 SPF + Mosquitoe spray + Road Grit = Shake and Bake Kik!

[Veronica]

I use Bullfrog spray only when there is no one around to get my back and shoulders for me. And that's the only place I use it. Coppertone 45 oil free is my preferred. But it's a cream and I can't get my back and shoulders really well. It has kept me burn free and doesn't seem to cause any breakouts.

V.

[Bike Goddess]

Thanks for the sunscreen advice. Going for 7 days straight in the sun isn't going to be much fun (no rhyme intended here )! Being the fair one here I need all the advice I can get!

Just ordered Spwipes on the internet for inbetween rest stops- they're like Wipes except they have sunscreen in them. Come in packets so easy to stuff in pockets, etc. Used them last year, but I didn't do this much riding either!

[annie]

I use Bullfrog spray only when there is no one around to get my back and shoulders for me. And that's the only place I use it. Coppertone 45 oil free is my preferred. But it's a cream and I can't get my back and shoulders really well. It has kept me burn free and doesn't seem to cause any breakouts.

V.

Annie's secret method for applying sunscreen to back and shoulders (if you're like me and not flexible enough to reach)

Find a nice, smooth long-handled wooden kitchen spoon. Apply a small amount of sunscreen to back of spoon. Looking in mirror, apply to all areas of back that you can't reach, adding more sunscreen as needed. I've done this for years. It works! Just remember NOT to put the spoon back in the kitchen utensil drawer. The sunscreen doesn't wash out so well after repeated applications.

annie

[Technotart]

I worked the first aid booth at a crit over in Fort Worth on Sunday - the thermometer on the sign above the high school stadium read 108 degrees - now that CAN'T have been right, but I did hear 101 and 102 from some other folks. It FELT like 108 out there on that pavement!

New Braunfels is about 3.5 hours south of the Dallas area. I LOVE New Braunfels - we'll be passing through there Friday on the way to San Antonio to visit the 'rents.

It's only going to get hotter here in Texas...think I will be doing a lot of indoor spinning this summer!

OH! For sunscreen - SOL KinderSport for kids is GREAT - no PABA, very dense white stuff, doesn't come off with the sweat, and you sweat right through it - unlike some other sunscreens that make you feel like you are coated in grease or something. I was out in the sun for 12 hours 2 weeks ago, I get a big ugly rash even with a few minutes of sun exposure AND I'm allergic to PABA - this stuff worked great with only 1 app in the morning, and another light coat in the afternoon. I tanned a little through it, but no burn and no rash.

And congrats on your graduation kk!!!!

[Veronica]

My sister Ginny manages the West Point Pepperel store in San Marcos. If you're shopping the outlets, stop in and say hi to her. She'll get a kick out of that.

Totally of topic - I'm the youngest of 7 kids. The girls' names all start with V. Being the youngest - I went through school answering to all of them.

V. - Princess Zippy

[archibella]

Hi guys-- well... it's hot here in San Antonio, too. Went out on a short (15 mi) ride with a coworker and his daughter last weekend. The poor thing overheated, so we sat in the shade while her dad rode the last 5 miles back to their truck. She was all crying and apologizing for 'ruining the ride'! I told her that she definitely did not ruin the ride, that it's not her fault it's hot, lol. I hope she doesn't give up! We all signed up to do bike to the beach this fall. Early morning or late evening is a definite. We left @ 9am and by 1030 we were just dripping!

fixedgeargirl-- where are some nice places to ride in austin? I only have a road bike so far, so nothing too rough... I went up there the other weekend to hit 6th street with some friends, it was great!

[Pedal Wench]

I've been trying the DeSoto Sports 'arm coolers'. White, thin, wicking material , like arm-warmers, be made to protect against the sun. So far, so good. They don't seem thick enough to work, but so far I haven't gotten a burn or even color through them. I like them because they roll up small enough to fit into my seatpost bag, so I can wait until the sun is overhead to wear them.

[Waverly]

Ok I am a Georgia girl born and raised and we had mid 80 temps last week which were avg. for our area. However last night I went on a ride with some friends and I was quite chilly when we got back around 8:30. We are suppose to have temps in the low to upper 70's during the day and low to upper 50's at night which is totally wrong for this time of year. So anyway very odd that I am not hot like the rest of you.


Jessica

[Trek420]

After my haircut today I was getting in the car when I saw a black car in front of me with a largish dog panting in the back. It's hot today in sunny CA, we all knew this was going to be a scorcher. This car was in full sun although shaded parking was only 10-15 yards away.

Instead of going to my next errand I waited 15 - 18 minutes to see if the owner came back or if the dog was in distress. I know this may be over the top of me. The windows were open for a cross breeze but folks, it was hot OUTSIDE, I could not stand in the sun.

In a car it can reach temps that will kill your fur-kid in oh maybe 10 minutes.

A meter maid came by and I flagged her down. I said maybe I'm making too much of this but explained the hot pup. As luck would have it I got the dog loving meter maid She walked over to check the dog. As she approached the driver finally appeared.

I did not stay to oversee but from the body language and pointing I think it went something like:

But I was only gone a few minutes
There was someone here concerned enough about your dog to wait for almost 20. Your dog was already here when she arrived
The dog's ok, look the windows are ...
Yes, appears to be ok. You are lucky it only takes 10 minutes for it not to be ok.

Folks, it's summer. Your dog wants to be with you and run with you but if you can't guarantee your fur-kid will be cool leave your best friend at home.