adapting to hot or cold climates

[shootingstar]

I lived in southern Ontario for over the first 40 yrs. of life and hence, I can adapt to hot humid summers ..cycling-wise up to a certain point. Meaning cycling up to 35 degrees C with nearly 100% humidity.

However, I was surprised to learn I found cycling in Hawaii harder because it's closer to the equator, the sun is more powerful. I did not even enjoy lying out on any of the beaches because I got enough sun just cycling around (meaning under 35 km. each day trip) and the sun drained my energy faster.

2nd visit to Hawaii I found it more energy sucking...because coming from Vancouver at that time where I lived for 8 yrs., Vancouver never gets too much heat nor high summer humidity like Ontario in because it is near the Pacific. I always found it amusing when Vancouverites complained about "hot" summer days....at 27 degrees C. Their summer weather is perfect for cycling.

The cold winters in Alberta are ONLY made bearable because: we get lots of sunny winter days, our air is drier (people have home humidifiers so that their home wood furniture doesn't dry out) and hence melting/slushy snow disappears much faster than more damp Ontario winters. Hence, one can winter-cycle for a wk. or so, before another snow dump happens, then melting and the winter pattern repeats all over again. My adjustment at this time...is helped alot after winter living in Ontario.

I like sunny weather for cycling but not at high noon and cycling for hours without any shade, is less enjoyable for me, which is often enough when living out in the prairies.

For the past 20+ yrs. since returning to cycling, my preference for cycling weather tends to be: earlier in the morning or in evening when the sun is beating down less in my face. I prefer to cycle at slightly cooler temperatures...which some people here would consider cold. I think my tolerance for very hot weather has gone down as I age.

Despite some wildly fluctuating temperatures in some parts of Canada and extreme weather, I do like a 4 season climactic area with distinct seasons.