Heat heat go away!

[tzvia]

Catrin- Glad you got over that nausea soon after getting inside and getting your core cooled. I agree with the others, pre-hydrading and re-hydrating will help a lot. Your body needs the proper fluids and electrolytes to regulate your core temp.

I used to get bad cramps and nausea minutes into strenuous rides in the summer. Thought it was me just being soooo out of shape. I ended up cutting the coffee to one cup in like a month or more, and replacing it with not-caffeinated tea that I drink throughout the day if at work to re-hydrate for the commute home. Once the tea was finished (I used a French press at my desk with 4 red or camomile tea bags and a little honey) I switched to ice water. A few Bloks or similar electrolite chews just before the ride and half way home, and no cramps or nausea.

It's not just a pre ride thing. Most people are dehydraded as a constant state. It takes a conscious effort to hydrate properly but I feel better overall if I keep the fluid intake UP.

[Reesha]

I haven't been complaining about the heat, and for you in the SW what we have probably doesn't seem very hot. Yesterday I tried to ride in 98 degree temps that was somewhat humid...

Two other times this summer I've ridden in >95 temps and every time I've had the same results - nausea and, last night, a headache I ate more than an hour before heading out, had water and shot blocks for electrolytes with me. The LAST time I was able to wait out the nausea and was fine after the first 45 minutes. Last night was the worse of all, the nausea just kept getting worse, with the headache, until I just gave in and slowly rode home.

Once home I had another huge glass of water, did my normal post-ride stretches, and lay on the carpet for about 5 minutes. The nausea and headache left as soon as my body cooled off.

Should this be expected for riding in 98-99 degree temps? Am I just a wimp? It is frustrating, because it is supposed to be just as hot today, and the area where my favorite mountain bike trail are located is supposed to reach 100 degrees tomorrow

I've kept my entire house (except my bedroom) close to outside air temperature. It has especially sucked these last few days, because it's been so relentless. Nonetheless, the plan has worked-- heat is much more tolerable overall, especially when I bike commute. It's not an appealing plan, but it is effective. (Also, mainly we do it to save money. Using the central air in our old, brick, leaky house is $$$$)

[Catrin]

Thanks again for all of the advice, and yes, I NEED to drink more in general... The heat wave has continued, Thursday it was 99 when I headed out (I was one degree off), yesterday it got to 99, today it is supposed to reach 97-98 - crazy start to September Most of August has been quite pleasant with temps in the 80s and low 90s...

I am just waiting 15 more minutes for it to get a little lighter and will head out for a long ride. My Camelbak is full of ice water, and I've a bottle of strawberry Heed and a bottle of clear water. My fuel-box is filled with Stinger gels. It should still be in the 80s until noon so this is more than I actually need to take with me but I am taking it anyway! It is also quite humid and since I am planning on a >2.5 hour ride it doesn't seem a bad idea.

Monday it is supposed to reach a high of 73 degrees...mountain bike trails here I come

[skhill]

Glad to hear it's not just me! Yesterday here in Lexington KY we hit 98F, our hottest day of the year, and today we're forcast to be around that again. Two weeks of cooler than average temps, a few days of scortching, then Monday we might not break 70. I did my worst 5k ever this morning, with a 90F temp when I finished at about 9:30 am...

When it's much over 90F, I try to be sensible about riding or running-- everyting is slow, and I try to bring plenty of water and listen to my body. Try to, but don't always follow through!

[jusdooit]

Not to beat a dead horse, but drinking lots of water the day before is paramount in the heat. I have also learned to drink only water or electrolyte drinks in the morning of a hot ride.......never coffee. About a month ago we had an organized ride with temp + heat index reaching 110+ on wide open (read no shade) roads. I ended up getting two bags of IV's, along with a friend of mine, many others had to SAG. The heat is brutal, our bodies don't like it.
Hope today went better.

[Catrin]

Not to beat a dead horse, but drinking lots of water the day before is paramount in the heat. I have also learned to drink only water or electrolyte drinks in the morning of a hot ride.......never coffee. About a month ago we had an organized ride with temp + heat index reaching 110+ on wide open (read no shade) roads. I ended up getting two bags of IV's, along with a friend of mine, many others had to SAG. The heat is brutal, our bodies don't like it.
Hope today went better.

I am glad to hear you recovered Yeah, this week I just did not take the heat seriously enough.

Today I rode much earlier in the day (started at dawn) and rode a hard 40 miles. I had plenty of electrolytes and water, and forced myself to eat the recommended number of Stinger Gels per hour...it is really hard for me to eat anything on the bike. I should have had something a little more substantial with me but it worked out fine.

I felt much better than after recent rides. I think I've been pushing the edge for a while on hydration/electrolyte/fuel issues and the other day was hot enough to push it over the edge

[Bike Writer]

Gone, in Michigan anyway. We went from the high 90's Fri and Saturday, so humid Sunday it felt like 90 but wasn't. Today 55.

[marni]

today was our second day since late June with temperatures in the double rather than the three digits. We are almost giddy.

Unfortunately the winds are 20-30 mph and the state of Texas is burning. Still Only 1/2 " of rain since mid January. Most of the fires are due to electric wires being blown down and sparking into the extra extra dry grass.

sure wish the weather would give us a break.

marni

[Dogmama]

In AZ, riding happens during the early morning hours. Even at early evening, the temps can still be 95 - 100 degrees. But it's a dry heat, so they say, except during monsoons. I still feel for you folks with 90 degree weather and high humidity. That must be really hard.

We had an nice overcast day - the first one is a very long time. No rain but no blast furnace heat when you open the door. I just wish we had leaves that changed. My tree changes colors & drops leaves - in December (no joke.)