Dealing with the heat

[ladyjai]

Calling in from the asphalt desert - Phoenix metro. i concur with all these ladies about water and liquid. I actually run electrolytes in my camelbak - the stuff from alacer. It's 100% minerals, so it doesnt' lead towards nasties in the drinking supply. My water bottles have drinks with energy suppliments as well as electrolytes. I always have extra packets to refill at whatever gas station is most convienent. Of course, if I'm planning on a ride less than 20 miles, I won't bring both water bottles and camelbak.

As you acclimate in the beginning of summer, take it easy on yourself. allow your speeds to drop as you body aclimates to the heat. I'd say the worst I've probably ridden in was 115-117 range. I don't remember exactly what it was. Honestly, once I acclimate to 105, all the upper temps don't bother me as much. It's the sun that kills me. Watch your UV indexes. I think those might be a bigger indicator of when my speed has to drop. UV of 10 is nasty nasty. I love it when we get humidity, as it brings clouds with it, which block the sun. Without the sun, any temperature is bearable.(biking, that is!) 110 - or even 100! - inside an enclosed building with no airflow sounds insane!

Take it easy when you get back inside. drink more water then.

Oh, I don't know about you gals, but I could literally ride 30-50 miles in any direction and not find desert. It'll get worse with time as my company designs master plan communities that go waay out into the boonies. Thus there is a gas station commonly found at every few miles - unless you have really bad luck/planning skills. They all let you use their soda machines to get free ice and free cold water. it's great to refill everything and keeps it cold. (since I'm typically looking at 60-100miles on any given saturday, this is a necessity)

[Aggie_Ama]

I have a Camelbak Siren and it is pretty comfortable. I stopped wearing it over a year ago, but this summer I will probably wear it again. Last summer I did short rides and two water bottles were enough. This summer I am enjoying cycling more than running and I think I will need the Camelbak. I just don't enjoy the extra weight, heat and loss of my rear pockets. My one experience with heat-induced sickness will remind me to get over this!

The cool this is our local cycling club marks stores on all their maps. I don't think you can ride more than 20-30 miles without encountering one. It might take some planning, but there is always a stop for more fluid.

[archibella]

I have one of the women specific camelbak's (the dream I think) and prefer it. I think I made up my mind to go w.s. when I saw a woman wearing a non-women specific one, and the strap that's supposed to fit across the top of your chest hit her just below the bust, forcing boobage up and over the strap. It looked VERY uncomfortable. The w.s. one's are designed to avoid that. Whatever you get, simply try one on first! I have to say I stopped using the camelbak halfway through last summer though. I found that on 95% of my rides I had places to stop for free water refills, so I went with the polar bottles. You will end up with a sweaty back at 90 or 100+ deg. and with the camelbak on I simply noticed it more; they're designed to wick away moisture but you don't get the cooling sensation made by the wind as you whip along .

For heat... I agree with all of the above. I pack bottles with as many ice cubes as possible, then fill the rest of the way with gatorade. A friend told me that it takes longer that you think to fully hydrate, and that if you're doing a long ride (like a century), start consuming xtra water a day or even two before. You do have to just get used to the temps... we've got a good amount of humidity and hi temps in san antonio, and there have been days where our team rides have been canceled simply because it's so hot (not that some of us didn't go out for an easy loop anyway, lol). It's funny during "winter" most of the time it didn't get below 35 yet I always wished for summer. Now that summer is here, I wish it were cooler again! lol.