Dealing with the heat

[Catrin]

I live in central Florida and it is very hot and humid a good part of the year. I sweat very heavily and find I cannot stay hydrated with just Cytomax and gels, bars, etc. on long rides. Most of us who ride in this area, also use Hammer endurolytes either as a powder added to our drink mix or as a capsule. It definitely has helped make my rides more comfortable.

I experimented with Hammer endurolytes today (the capsule) and felt much better at the end of my ride. Yesterday I stopped sweating, and I knew that I was drinking enough... It is nice that my LBS sells little packages of Endurolyte capsules so you can try it without springing for a large bottle of them.

[Geonz]

Yesterday in Illinois I definitely came in weighing less, and I'd drunk a lot and I don't sweat that much. I think slowing it down is important - I didn't do that for assorted reasons like thunderstorms erupting around us, so i think that's why I ended up with the beginnings of heat exhaustion... going to replenish my "emergency gu" packs that I used up at the poorly marked Lions Club ride...

[tiva]

I am so heat intolerant! I deal with it by going for a swim or heading up north to Lake Superior. Driving up yesterday, it was 93 most of the drive from Madison all the way to the Bad River Indian Reservation. Then we got to the big lake, and it dropped 30 degrees, down to 63, in a mile and a half. By the time we got to our cabin, it was 53. That I could deal with!

[OakLeaf]

I've read some things lately about pre-cooling the body before tackling the heat. Drink a smoothie with lots of crushed ice, e.g.

I haven't tried that, but I do remember way back when I was a kid working building and grounds maintenance, if I went for an early morning swim I stayed cool through the whole hot summer workday.

[Catrin]

Yesterday I got SO hot on my ride, but I didn't want to cut it short. I had been kicking myself for forgetting to put Cytomax in my water bottle - but then I realized that meant I could pour the water on my head - and did so. It was wonderfully refreshing!

Today I planned for it - I did put Cytomax in my water bottle, but put a small bottle of frozen water in my jersey pocket - it took longer to overheat today even though it was warmer, but the feel of that ice water on my head was wonderful! Actually it was too cold so I couldn't pour the entire bottle but I did use half of it this way. I was much cooler for the remaining 30 minutes of my ride. I've read of others doing this here, but had no idea it would make such a difference!

I am sold on having my Camelbak and two other bottles now - which will be easier when I get my LHT back because it has more room for bottles I am thinking, however, that I need a larger Camelbak for longer rides - that 50 ounces seems to last me only a little over 2 hours - which would be about right from what I have read.

[Miranda]

Here's old thread of mine about carrying water...

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...ighlight=water

REI has these things on sale...

http://www.rei.com/product/795871

http://www.rei.com/product/799552

I also own this (comes also in seat post clamp if not carbon post)...

http://www.rei.com/product/768770

The way I can carry two full size water bottle on my smaller frame 49cm road bike is with side loader cages... awesome...

http://www.arundelbike.com/Sideloader.html

I can't stand to drink anything flavored, so Cliff Shot Blocks work great for me... like gummi bears, yummy way to get lytes... margarita flavor has x 3 sodium...

http://www.clifbar.com/food/products_shot_bloks/

Last... if you try to plan your route with a gas station for stops to buy some more water that helps too.

My asthma action plan w/my doc is use albuterol inhailer 15mins prior... plus bunch other stuff... and I'm with IndySteele... nights are the hottest imo.... midwest girl here too, btw... ugh on our humidity!

[Catrin]

Here's old thread of mine about carrying water...

!

Thanks for all of the information! My bike doesn't have room for anything on the seat post (would have to lose my seat bag)...really my only options are the Camelbak, a bottle in the cage, and a smaller one in my jersey pocket if needed. This works for me though

My OTHER bike, soon to come out of the shop, has three water cages - though I will likely still use the 'Bac as it works for me....