Will I eventually acclimate to this heat???

[Aggie_Ama]

We really hate summer riding in Texas (hot & humid) because we can no longer afford not to start at sunrise. Last summer we hit the road at 6:45-7:00 if we were doing a long ride. I take a lot of naps after rides!

You will acclimate but I find it easier to adjust through the course of the ride. I cannot start out at 10 am since the sun gets really intense by about 10:30.

[Jolt]

Try being up here in MA, where we had a few days of 60-70 degree weather and then got hit with mid-90s and humid!!! The heat started yesterday and is expected to continue through Tuesday, and it's miserable. Any tips on how to acclimate as painlessly as possible? Usually at the beginning of the summer I can hardly stand to run when the temp hits about 75-80; biking is a bit better but still rough. However, I go a bit stir-crazy being stuck inside for too long, so staying holed up in the a/c for days on end is not an option!

[OakLeaf]

well one thing I swear by, even if I'm being a wuss and not exercising, is no A/C. I think you acclimate much quicker, and stay healthier in general, if you're not going back and forth between heat and cold all the time. Of course if you work in AC that's unavoidable, but at home we do have a choice.

Come August I'll start the back-and-forth with DH about it again but for now we're in agreement that the windows stay open.

Jolt, I think most of the East has had the same as you. It's really pretty much normal for Ohio.

[Crankin]

Sorry, I can't live without AC! The hot and humid weather makes me feel miserable... and sometimes it makes my asthma start, which I never usually have.
Who wants to feel gross in their own house? I don't mind sweating at all when I am exercising nor do I mind getting "dirty," but I want to be be comfortable, able to breath, and not have my hair standing up on end when I'm at home! Now, I agree, most people and stores keep the AC too cold. I just want the humidity taken out of the air and a temperature of about 78.

Jolt, we went out at around 7-7:30 yesterday and it was fine.We were done by 9:30 and then I chilled in the AC and went to the pond to swim.

[violette]

I rode 60km on the weekend in about 30c and I didn't think I was going to make it; and I had 2 water bottle with me.

[tulip]

It's been 100 in North Carolina for the last few days, and it's just too hot to ride after 9am. I grew up in this heat, but when it gets this hot, it's just not healthy to ride. Ride early in the morning if you can.

[katluvr]

As I live in HOT and HUMID Florida I definitely think the key is to getting an EARLY start. Most of our friends think we are crazy for getting up at 5 AM on the weeken days to get stared early. (OK, sometime we drive to a place that has hills or a good trail so that takes an extra hour). So plan is to be on the bike between 7 & 7:30. Lots of hydration. And freeze your bottles and if a long ride, plan a circuit so you can stop mid way to get fresh frozen bottles from cooler.
Also look for routes that are more shaded.

This time of year the heat does get trying. I much rather ride in heat than run. I have a 1/2 marthon planned for Nov. That means logging lots of miles in Aug., Sept ("hot as hades" month) and even Oct (can remain very toasty!).
In 2 weeks I'll be biking in Rhode Island...hopefully it will be freshenly cool compared to here!

[kfergos]

Try being up here in MA, where we had a few days of 60-70 degree weather and then got hit with mid-90s and humid!!!

Too true! Going from long pants and sleeves to as little clothing as possible is crazy -- I can't get over the amount of SWEATING that goes on in 95-degree humid weather. Does everybody else get caked with grit, dirt, bugs, pollen, etc. on arms & legs in the really hot sweaty, sunblock-y weather?

And some people like riding in the heat!