Noob & So Out of Shape

[estronat]

In the morning the temps are lower but the humidity is at its highest -- 90% - 98%. gahhhh. I went out one morning and I was soaked by the time I took my bike out of my car. As the temperatures rise, the humidity gets lower, down to about 65%, but at that point the temperature is up around 85 degrees or more. Last week it was hovering around 94 degrees each day then we would get thunderstorms. This is how it goes in the southeast U.S. in August. Eventually the temps will back off. Hopefully within the next couple of weeks.

Yes I drink and take with me a lot of cold water. Two 24 oz bottles on the bike itself and another 24 oz of ice water in the car. I sip water all day long in addition. I also eat plenty (heh, more calories than I should).

I just ordered an indoor trainer so I can at least get on my bike inside an air conditioned house and build up that way until I can get outside in better weather. It should take a week or so to get here. That should help me get some decent time on the bike when the weather isn't cooperating.

There are no flat roads near my house so I have to drive about 20 min or so to find some. We do have a nice greenway system which is used by walkers, runners and lots of folks. However, it's not flat. I went on one of the greenways and the first mile was all downhill (thus no exercise), then I hit the road with the long incline. Bad planning on my part as I did not realize the terrain.

I'm sure carting around an extra 50 lbs isn't helping things either when it comes to cycling. I was never athletic even in my younger and thinner days, but now being old(er) and overweight just makes it all more difficult. I'm going to have to look at this as a journey and it's going to be one step (or 1/2 mile) at a time, as long as it takes.

Just wish the weather would cooperate. I don't know anyone who gets excited about being out in hot weather and high humidity to exercise.

[Owlie]

In the morning the temps are lower but the humidity is at its highest -- 90% - 98%. gahhhh. I went out one morning and I was soaked by the time I took my bike out of my car. As the temperatures rise, the humidity gets lower, down to about 65%, but at that point the temperature is up around 85 degrees or more. Last week it was hovering around 94 degrees each day then we would get thunderstorms. This is how it goes in the southeast U.S. in August. Eventually the temps will back off. Hopefully within the next couple of weeks.

Yes I drink and take with me a lot of cold water. Two 24 oz bottles on the bike itself and another 24 oz of ice water in the car. I sip water all day long in addition. I also eat plenty (heh, more calories than I should).

I just ordered an indoor trainer so I can at least get on my bike inside an air conditioned house and build up that way until I can get outside in better weather. It should take a week or so to get here. That should help me get some decent time on the bike when the weather isn't cooperating.

There are no flat roads near my house so I have to drive about 20 min or so to find some. We do have a nice greenway system which is used by walkers, runners and lots of folks. However, it's not flat. I went on one of the greenways and the first mile was all downhill (thus no exercise), then I hit the road with the long incline. Bad planning on my part as I did not realize the terrain.

I'm sure carting around an extra 50 lbs isn't helping things either when it comes to cycling. I was never athletic even in my younger and thinner days, but now being old(er) and overweight just makes it all more difficult. I'm going to have to look at this as a journey and it's going to be one step (or 1/2 mile) at a time, as long as it takes.

Just wish the weather would cooperate. I don't know anyone who gets excited about being out in hot weather and high humidity to exercise.

Hot and dry isn't much better. I guess we'll both wait until it cools down a bit.
Trainers are good. Just remember to set it up in front of an AC vent or put a fan in front of you. You'll be much more comfortable.

[estronat]

I went to school in AZ for college so I do remember what 105 - 110 degrees is like. The only good thing is the lower humidity, but it's beastly hot in the summers, as I very vividly recall. And the roads were flat, so that too made it easier. But still... hot is hot.

[Owlie]

I went to school in AZ for college so I do remember what 105 - 110 degrees is like. The only good thing is the lower humidity, but it's beastly hot in the summers, as I very vividly recall. And the roads were flat, so that too made it easier. But still... hot is hot.

Tucson itself is pretty flat, but I live in the foothills, about 10 miles out, so there are some decent hills. It's not southwest Ohio-hilly, though. But yes, hot is hot. What trainer did you get?

[estronat]

I ordered a basic magnetic-type trainer and also a front wheel riser. Nothing fancy.