How do you deal with the heat?

[maillotpois]

Water poured over me - soak the jersey; ice in the sports bra.

[Artista]

ice in the sports bra.

[Catrin]

Water poured over me - soak the jersey; ice in the sports bra.

Done the first two, afraid to try the third

[maillotpois]

Ice in the sports bra is amazing - really helps cool the core temp when its over 90 outside. I seriously consider it a huge advantage over men.

Also ice in tube sock around the neck.

[Tri Girl]

I never acclimate to the heat. I grew up in SW Arizona, so you'd think I could handle it, but I cannot. Not the humidity anyway. We have temps in the 100's with humidity in the 60-80 range all summer long and it just kills me. I've tried it all- cool wings, neck coolers, pouring water on me regularly, etc. I get heat headaches that debilitate me for a day after long workouts in the heat, and last year I started developing heat rash on my thighs after long rides.
This year I have resigned to not struggle through it.
I run at 4 am (when I have to do long runs of 15+ miles) so I can finish by 7 or 8 am. I started riding my mtn bike again so I can ride in the trees and the shade. I haven't ridden my tri bike in I don't know how long because I just don't want to deal with the heat and the sun. There are no shady rides in this part of the country.

I do LOVE ice in the bra, tho. In fact, lately I've been putting one of those very small gel packs in the freezer and sticking that in my bra for long runs. Talk about keeping you cool!

[Thorn]

Ice in the sports bra is amazing - really helps cool the core temp when its over 90 outside. I seriously consider it a huge advantage over men.

Also ice in tube sock around the neck.

Ice to the back of the neck. Hands down the winner over ice in the sports bra for me -- the ice on the neck cools me off more as the ice melts down my back instead of dripping onto my bike if I try the sports bra.

I have a 15 mile commute and I won't drive just because it is hot. When I get to work I put a container of ice water in the freezer at work. At the end of the day, I have a block of ice about the size of a baseball.

I tie a knot into my Buff such that I have enough for a beanie on one end and into the remaining tail, I place that ice block. Put the Buff on the head and the ice rests at the base of the neck. When I start out it can be a little too cold, but on a 90+ degree day, it quickly just becomes a cool spot. By the time I get home, that baseball sized block is just a sliver and my core temp survives. I'm not saying I don't feel the heat, but I'm not in distress.

[Melalvai]

I pedal slowly and easily (no mashing). I don't pedal at all if I'm going over 8 mph. It's slow, but that keeps me from working too hard.