Hottest ride to date

[Catrin]

Weather.com said that it was 95 degrees when I went out tonight to ride, and they had a big red box around their warning. I thought about not going, but the temp will be 99 tomorrow and I won't ride in that + I've things to do. I had to get some kind of hot ride in this week or Saturday will just kill me, so I went out.

Compared to what many of you ride in these temperatures it was a pretty wimpy ride - only 15 miles. Still the hottest I've ever ridden in, and with my asthma I am careful with extreme temps either way. Apparently today was the hottest day in the region since 1999, and we've not had such a run of hot days since the 1940's!

For some reason my stomach was a little queasy the first 10 miles, I suspect dinner was a bit heavy for the temps. Had Heed in my little Camelbak that I reserve for that purpose, and the last 5 miles were fun. Thought about continuing for at least another 5 mile loop, but decided to not press my luck - especially since I've no idea where my rescue inhaler is...extreme temps seem to be my primary remaining trigger these days.

I did see a couple squirrels just sprawled out on their bellies on shady concrete. They didn't bother moving when they saw me, just watched me ride around them.

Anyone else getting out for mid-week hot rides?

[Thorn]

Commuting in it (same weather pattern as you). 14 mile trip, one-way. And I don't do well in the heat. I wilt at 80.

We've had way too many hot days (90+) for summer already so I've been playing with ideas. Ice cubes in the water bottle (melt too quickly); travelling via the park to cool down (doesn't really work), etc.

This week I filled up my thermos with ice cubes and a little water before I leave work. On Tuesday, I stopped at the farmer's market about 1/2 way. Drank the ice water and then took some of the ice cubes and threw them down the back of the jersey where they stayed put at the base of my neck by the backpack I was wearing to carry the fragiles. Every traffic light I tossed another one or two into the jersey. It really helped, but it wasn't all that hot (*only* 88).

Today was over 95 and I didn't have a back pack. Instead I tied a knot into my Buff and put some ice cubes in there. Had to stop every 15 minutes or so to add some more. Kept the back of the neck cool and dripped cold water slowly down my back. It really kept me from overheating. Decadent, but effective.

I continue to be amazed at how easy it is to keep cycling in all weather. A couple of years ago, I was a fair weather cyclist. Now I find myself out enjoying my ride in weather I would have avoided.

[trista]

It is crazy hot. I got out today but it was 7:00 am and not yet unbearable. The humidity is just awful though. I felt wet before I started sweating!

[Crankin]

I did a rare after work ride with a friend. It was 95 on my way home from work, but I think it was "only" 89 or so on the ride. There were some clouds, and a stiff breeze, but it was hot. I stopped and dumped water down my jersey about half way through the 15.5 mile ride.
The worst is yet to come. Tomorrow and Friday will be about 100 and humid. I am resting/lifting weights and Friday I might venture out at 5 AM.

[Bike Writer]

I rode yesterday and today. It's torrid out there! Yesterday it was not as humid and I'd been indoors all day at work so my body was super cooled down and it just didn't feel that bad to me. Today I had after work errands and got heated up just from in and out the car plus the humidity today was killer. I have not had early morning rides because of meetings so I've been going the last hour before sunset.

I hate heat and humidity so I am very surprised at going out in it and tolerating it. Tomorrow is supposed to be the worst of it and I have an evening meeting so I guess I won't be riding.

It's nearly a year since I got back into riding and when I picked up my bike last year it was the hottest day of the year. I was so excited that I rode it anyway and knew that was a sign of how much I loved being on a bike.

[Tokie]

I read an article that said the only way to train/acclimate to exercising in heat was.....training and exercising in heat. On our cross country ride and RAGBRAI, we have ridden long hours and miles in wilting 95 to 100+ heat. but NOTHING prepared us for riding in heat above 85 degrees with the incredible humidity we found in Minnesota,Wisconsin and New York last summer. Heat is do-able, but heat + humidity is not. Unbelievable! I guess in part that sweating in a humid environment is useless for lowering your body temp? Be careful out there! tokie

[northstar]

The heat index was in the 120's here (130 in Moorhead) yesterday. It has been beastly. The only time I stepped out was to get the mail. No riding, no way!

Today it's only supposed to be 85 or so. But it's back to insanity tomorrow.

[TrekTheKaty]

I headed out at 6:30 am, but it was only 85 with 74% humidity. I was still soaked

Dropped hubby off for a hilly-25 miler and it was already 95 :-0

[tzvia]

Skipped commuting all week- it was only 99f~100f, but with the humidity it was really sticky so no way. But I am going to ride tomorrow.

Last summer, I rode in 103f going home and had a second water bottle with ice in it just to pour into my helmet. I did so at every stop.

Thankfully my commute passes many gas stations with mini-marts where I can get water and Gatorade type drinks, and there is a fountain in front of a condo complex I pass that I can jump in (I'm not kidding) if I find myself in trouble with the heat.

Be safe out there people- the heat in the central U.S. right now is brutal and dangerous.

[Crankin]

When I went out this morning, at 5:30, it was already 79. I know that's nothing for other parts of the country, but it's hot for here, in the early AM. And, as opposed to yesterday, it is super humid.So, I was happy to do just 17 miles. It's going to be about 100 today, which, to a former AZ person, is nothing. But that with the humidity, yuck. Will be staying in the office or home, and thankfully, the one client I see on Fridays has AC.

[OakLeaf]

The humidity has been insane. I've been comparing it to Florida, and it's the same in Ohio. I've read it's because of all the flooding earlier in the year ... welcome to our new climate.

I finally had to turn on the AC yesterday even though it was only 87° inside, because everything was turning to mold. Just like Florida.

I also read a study yesterday that compared two groups of cyclists over a summer. One of them worked out in heat, the other in AC, but outside of the controlled workouts, they only spent an average of 18 minutes per day in the heat! Unsurprisingly, the ones who worked out in the heat really didn't acclimate much.

It made me realize that most people work inside and don't have the luxury of controlling the thermostat where they work ... and of course a lot of people have a heavy hand on the thermostats at home ... plus when it's this humid, it's either turn on the AC, or rip out all the carpet and drywall (seriously, they should call it wetwall or at least dampwall) and install a summer kitchen and an outdoor shower (you bet whenever this cardboard-and-tinfoil home finally collapses, the new one will be more efficient).

So while I still maintain that everyone's body is physically capable of acclimating to heat, it's made me realize that socially and environmentally, probably most people in the USA don't get the opportunity to be exposed to heat enough to acclimate.

Be safe, everyone. Going for a short run ...

[Bike Writer]

It's a great point about most persons in the USA spending so much time indoors and not fully climitazing themselves because of it. I don't believe that I have acclimated myself fully to the heat and humidity because when the weather is really awful like the heat and humidity of the last week I stay indoors most of the time except for a ride. Example was Tuesday, despite all the awful heat I spent 23 hours indoors under cool temps and 1 hour outside biking. Despite the oppresivness of it, that was doable under those circumstances.

I also equate this to extreme low temps in the winter. While we don't fully climatize ourselfs to a life spent in the elements we do get some exposure going to and from our cars and walking in and out of buildings. I know those first below freezing days feel very cold, however after a prolonged cold spell and some sub zero days I don't feel shivery cold going out in 25-30 F temps. so even being an indoor creature, I and I believe most of us, do get somewhat tempered to the climate we are experiencing after a few days or weeks. Of course some folks with asthma and other physical issues experience this different from people who do not have those things to contend with.

Speaking of cold and shivering I think I'll go get a popsicle!

[GingerbreadGirl]

Went out twice this week in the low 90s, and am waiting until 7 pm tonight when the temp is supposed to be about 94 (coolest all day). Heat index is constantly over 100 lately. The best solution for me is riding the path near the harbor- ocean breeze and tree lined.

I think getting myself some proper cycle clothing would help me. I'm using my running clothing mostly, but I need more wicking, I think. Especially a good sports bra... I am quite rashy.

[GingerbreadGirl]

and there is a fountain in front of a condo complex I pass that I can jump in (I'm not kidding) if I find myself in trouble with the heat.

.

Love it!

In college my roommate and I used to jump in the lake on the way home from our mountain bike rides. At the local state forrest where I trail run, there is a kiddie wading pool; I often surprise the lifeguards by stopping in there on my way back to the car, lol.

[SheFly]

I had to drop my car off at the dealer for service on Friday. Granted, the ride to and fro is only 7 miles, but when I dropped off at 7:30 am, it was already over 80 degrees. Worse was the pick up. I started riding at about 3:00 pm, and my deck thermometer was registering 110 in the sun . It was also pretty humid. I probably wouldn't have ridden at all on Friday except for that errand though - WAY too hot for this former Canadian .

SheFly

p.s.
Yes - it was also STINKIN' hot in Canada last week.