Etreme Heat

[BIKEAWAY]

Is there anything to help you in hot humid muggy weather for riding longer distances? We have come across a hot humid spell already in June and I really would like to try to put some miles on this weekend. It seems I get headaches after about 15 miles in this weather. I am taking pottasium pills and drinking lots of water before and during breaks.

[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

[BIKEAWAY]

I can try but I am not coordinated for that yet. I think I should move my bottle holder so it is more accessible.
I have not tried Gatoraide so maybe I should fill a bottle with that.
Depending on how far--I have only gotten to 30 miles so far is how I stop. I ty to go 12-15 miles per break.
I have a 40 mile ride coming up and i want to be prepared. Are those backpack water bottles good? I think it looks kinda dorky but I am on a mission so....

[DeniseGoldberg]

...I can try but I am not coordinated for that yet. ...Are those backpack water bottles good? I think it looks kinda dorky but I am on a mission so....

If you're not comfortable grabbing a water bottle while you're moving I suspect that something like a Camelbak would be better for you. You can clip the hose to the strap of the Camelbak. Some folks manage to clip it so they can bite on the valve (to release the liquid) without using their hands. I'm not quite that coordinated, so I use my hand to place the bite valve in my mouth, then my hand can go right back to the handlebars.

I use a Camelbak Rogue which has a 70 ounce bladder. There are also smaller capacity Camelbaks as well as women-specific versions (smaller bladder, shorter pack). And there are lots of other brands out there too. I recommend heading to your LBS and trying these on to attempt to find the one that is most comfortable for you. The one I use does not have much extra space in it - it's just got room for the water (bladder) and things like keys and ID. Some are full packs. But - since you're not used to riding with something on your back I'd recommend going with a minimalistic version.

It will get easier, really!

--- Denise

[bikerchick68]

hiya bikeaway...

are you road biking or mtn biking? On a road bike here's how I learned to get my water bottle while riding without crashing and killing myself...

place your left hand towards the CENTER of your handle bars and remove your right hand... sit up some and ride one handed... do not reach for the bottle, just get used to the feel of one handed riding...

next (after doing this several times) do the same thing but this time reach with your right hand (left hand is in center bar steering) down to your downtube where the cages are... slide hand down to water bottle and gently pull it out...

OK... so now ya gotta get it back in... left hand centered, steering, glance down and look at bottle cage... then place bottle at top of it and push downward to slide it back in... if you drop the bottle LET IT GO! THEN stop and go back and get it... do not try to wildly reach for it... LOL... learned THAT lesson! Do this several times on a straghtaway for practice... after a while, like anything else, it becomes second nature... It is extremely helpful to be able to drink while riding without having to stop...

[cyclingnewbie]

I have a very hard time with the heat (anything over 72 degrees is too hot!) and get headaches. I use Cyclomax or Gatorade in my water bottles. I usually dilute them with water, Kool-aid or fruit juice (or some combination there of). And, I also carry a bottle of plain water in case the other stuff gets to be repulsive. I also allow myself to slow down to a speed that I can handle in the heat. I had a bad habit of worrying more about how fast I was going than how I felt. Sometimes if I just slow down for a while (and I mean really slow down) a headache will disappear on its own. And, I find that I have no trouble reaching for my bottles if I just stop pedaling while I do it. Unless you're in a race, why make it harder than it has to be?

[CorsairMac]

also salt. I don't remember: does Gatorade have sodium in it? The headaches could also be a sign of salt-depletion. On hot days I usually supplement my electro-mix with extra potassium, calcium and magnesium tablets and salt. It seems to keep the headaches away! But drink drink drink is the best thing. If you're only drinking every 12-15 miles, that's just once an hour and that just isn't enough.

On long rides I wear a Camelback that carries 100 oz of water plus 2 water bottles with Electro-Mix and 2 bottles with Electro-Mix/salt in them. I know there are roadies out there that frown on camelbacks on a road bike but
A) they can just get a life
B) I'm riding self-supported
C) I'm not riding with them anyway! so

I would strongly suggest a camelback and to drink about every 10-15 mins during your rides!

let us know how it goes for you!

PS: I did my first century in 80+ degree heat during the middle of the day with no headaches so it is doable!....just find what works for you.

[bikerchick68]

corsair... LOL! If I rode unsupported centuries a camelback would be a MUST! As it is I'm most likely gonna get one to do this ride... considering riding it... supposed to be a fun one! Sometimes, tho, it's just too dang hot to wear a camelback... I don't know how people do it! Of course, I'm talking about here in San Diego east county where it's 105 degrees throughout the summer... blech! Too, too hot!!! If I do this ride I'll have water in the camelback and Cytomax in the water bottles...

http://www.planetultra.com/Moonlight/index.htm

[Technotart]

Camelback is the way to go - wasn't sure I would like it, but I hardly notice it! and its GREAT to have the (cool) water when I want it without reaching for it

[spazzdog]

BIKEAWAY, I always hated reaching down to get my bottles... I always look, and then usually I crash or lose my line or whatever. I also hate wearing junk on my back, thus the camelback wasn't an option for me (tho I did try).

I went for the "behind the saddle" water cages. I can hook an arm back, grab a bottle, and slide it back with no problem. It's almost the same motion as pulling something out of your back jersey pocket to munch on.

It's called an XLab Flatwing. There is also an XLab Saddlewing (it's heavier). I own both, but now use the Flatwing. Either holds 2 standard bottle cages, though I use the lighter Elites. It attaches to the saddle rails; important for those of us with carbon seatposts as you're not supposed to attach things to a carbon seatpost.

You can see and/or purchase them at:

http://www.tri-zone.com/Products.html?cat=88

spazzdog

[JanT]

Everyone has offered good ideas. In Phoenix, it's not always a dry heat, and anyway, hot is hot. I use the Camelbak for water, and on long rides, carry an extra bottle of water plus a bottle of Gatorade with lots of ice. As the ice melts, it brings the Gatorade to a solution my stomach can tolerate in the heat.

The thing about heat is to acclimatize gradually, if possible. Give your body a couple weeks to adjust to the hot weather. As a teacher, I have duties everyday that require me to be outside quite a bit, so that my adjustment happens naturally. I guess people who work indoors all the time would have to force themselves out into the heat to get their bodies to adapt. However, I have to admit that you can only acclimatize so much. You have to respect the heat and the sun: they can be deadly! Even when I was in really good condition, I still had days where my body just fizzled. In Phoenix, we know we just have to go slower and go shorter--and that that is just as good a workout as longer and farther when the weather is cool.

The main thing is to be patient in the meantime, and try not to push it. Too much too soon in the heat=BONK. Bonk=misery. So ride early in the day, and don't be afraid to call it a day if your body can't take it. There will be other days.

Enjoy your rides! Have fun! Then hit the A/C!

[KSH]

I was hesitant to get a Camelback, because I figured I would hate having something on my back.

But... I LOVE IT! I can carry stuff in it... and I pack it with ice and some water before my ride... even in 90+ degree weather, I still get cold water 3-4 hours later!

[LBTC]

wow
hot weather
you lucky b****ards
here we have up to 2 hours of intermittent sunshine, the rest is clouds or RAIN. *sigh* this, too, will pass. now, can I have that patience I ordered? NOW??

Namaste,
~T~

[Beth-Ro]

It's been so humid here in SC it's downright draining when we ride. (Try 83 - 87 degrees with 73% humidity) But we're getting ready for the 4th of July ride in Tryon, NC so we figure it's good training. The last several days have been cloudy because of the tropical system coming out of the Gulf, but when the sun does come out it's like riding into a wall-o-heat and it feels like my tires are suddenly gumming up in syrup and I'm slowing waaayyyyy down.

I drink constantly on these rides and we take more frequent breaks...every 7 miles or so. If only I could keep my water cold.

Is there a water bottle out there better than a polar bottle? I just love it when my water assumes road temp and tastes like...the bottle!

What are you doing for the 4th?
http://www.polkcounty.org/4th/
Check out RIDER WARNINGS to see the climbing chart

[Surlygirl]

Hi Beth-Ro
I use a sigg water bottle which is aluminum and I have an adventure cycling neoprene jacket over it and it stays pretty cold. I also found ice cube trays that make long slim ice cubes to fit in water bottles. I pretty much put as many as I can in my bottle and then top off with water.
I think it was Veronica who has a Elite Keratherm bottle but I've never seen them in any LBSs around here, so maybe she can provide a link.