Etreme Heat

[DeniseGoldberg]

The best solution I've found is lots and lots of liquid.

I ran into what seemed like weeks of hot & humid weather - in the 95 to 105 degree fahrenheit range - on my cross-country trip back in 2002. I went through a lot of water and Gatorade on those days. My 70-ounce Camelbak carried water, and my water bottle cages carried bottles of Gatorade. On a really hot day I went thru a minimum of the 72 ounces of water and probably 6 to 8 water bottles full of Gatorade. Careful though - you need to find the right level of liquid (enough, but not too much!) for the length of your rides. The liquid consumption I mentioned was while I was on the road pretty much all day riding my bike and hauling my gear in a trailer, usually riding distances in the 50 to 75-mile range.

Are you drinking while you riding, or only when you stop? I'd recommend drinking often while you are on the bike, and I find that I need the Gatorade (or equivalent) on those really hot days.

--- Denise