Dealing with the heat

[assassin__x]

Just moved from Halifax, NS, to St. Catharines, Ont. I find that it is a fair bit warmer here nad I was wondering what sort of extra messures should I take so that I don't bonk during a ride (mountain or road). I usually carry my camel back that holds two liters of wate, and I think that I should start carrying an extra water bottle with a sports drink in it.

Is one bottle of sports drink enough for a 3 hour ride with the water I carry. What other things can I do to remain hydrated and such.

I've been trying to ride in the evenings for the few hours before it gets dark, but on weekends I'd like to do longer rides during the days.

[Irulan]

I just did a 15 miler in Idaho, at 85+ .. You need lots more than one bottle. I would start hydrating the night before, and not too much coffee ( diuretic) in the am. Then try and drink constantly the whole ride. I take lots of water ( 100oz ) in a camel bak and one bottle of Cytomax. I find the sport drink makes me nauseous and I drink constantly. Be sure you are peeing a lot, that will be the real indicator.

Irulan

[assassin__x]

I mean one bottle of sports drink, I usually carry two liters of water in my camel back

[Terry]

Sounds as if you have things under control as far as 2 liters water and one sports bottle with a rehydration mix. What kind of temps are you talking about--80's 90's?

I did post some information/research on rehydration here on TE recently/last 2 weeks...can't exactly tell you which thread, but it was recent. There are stats on how/when to rehydrate. I suggest that you go through and find the post because there were several threads addressing this exact subject. I think you will find it helpful.
Terry

[assassin__x]

Okay, I'm bad with the whole Farenheit thing, there's been some days getting up to 30C, and I think that's around 85F. But then throw on sick humidity on top of that. The last couple of weeks have been pretty good, it's nice and warm, but not too hot.

[missliz]

Sick humidity is a relative concept. What's the number?
I found that down here (Gulf Coast, 95 degrees, 90% humidity) you need to watch fluid intake all day, and make sure you get lots of electrolytes and water round the clock. It's not just what you carry on the bike, but what you carry in the body too. You want to ride out all water plump. We force fluids through the summer, making sure there's lots of salt and potassium along with the water. Potato chips and orange juice are SO good together in August! Too much water alone will make you sick.
You can check for dehydration by pinching the back of your hand- if the skin stays puckered you're dry and need to take the day off. In really hot weather I've needed to ride every other day some years, can't keep enough fluids in the system.
Another cool thing- if you ride by houses you can make a freind who'll let you use a hose- refill the C Back and hose yourself down. You can take up water through the skin, and you're wet and dirty anyway. It'll also cool you down a little. Fountains and waterfalls are good for this too.

missliz

How many bad puns can you find in this post?

[Grasshopper]

Misslizz,

thanks for the tip about pinching the back of your hand. It's 92 with a heat index of 102 today! I can sure use that here.

assassin_x,

Good luck getting use to the wetter climate. I guess it's all in what you're use to! Believe it or not hummidity can be your friend....you see first hand just how much fluid you are losing by the sticky sweat that is everywhere. Every time I go to a dryer climate I have problems staying hydrated because the sweat just seems to dry on my skin and I don't have the constant reminder of how hot it really is! Again, Good luck with it!!

[hibiscus09]

It's been raining so much here that they say it's our second coolest summer on record. However, that's all relative -- it's still 90 degrees!

[assassin__x]

Well, I leaving St. Catharines and going back to Halifax in a few days. I hope it's a dry mild fall so I can do some of the great little tours that you can do out of Halifax, but October is usually yucky and mucky with cold rain.

I've survived yet another term in Ontario, time to go home.