Is it actually too hot to cycle in a UK heatwave? 🥵 Today I’m heading out for a 25-mile circular loop around the spectacular Ribble Valley to test the limits in baking 30°C temperatures!
Starting near Whalley, the route takes in amazing blue skies, incredible river views, and stunning scenery near Clitheroe and Ribchester. But riding in this kind of heat brings its own challenges. Along with trying to survive the temperatures, I manage to get lost, lose my tool case mid-ride, and have to figure out a makeshift way to secure my drinks bottles so they don’t fly off the bike!
Is 30 degrees simply too hot for a long road bike ride in England? Let me know in the comments if you’d ride in this weather! Feel free to comment below.
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📌 Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:31 Whalley and onwards
02:18 Lost again
05:10 The busy road
06:23 The lost tool kit
09:12 Temporary equipment fix
10:06 Back on the route – villages and lanes
15:46 Engineering excellence
17:25 Ribchester
19:16 Climbing in the heat
20:38 Outro
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#RibbleValley
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18 Comments
Great video as always, love your hydration system. Make sure you put in a patent for it, im sure it would be a hit. If we dont get out in these temperatures, most of summer would be gone. 😊
Rode the same route as you from Ribchester to Whalley the other day. That kicker after the bridge was my first of the day having dropped down from Longridge. I'll look to do less climbing next time I get in that neck of the woods. I carry a round bag attached to my stem and handlebars when I need an extra bottle. Easy to strap on and off 😊
Time for a bar bag mate. Took me a year or so contemplating it. Got one last week and wished I’d done it earlier! Lovely villages you went through. Mind you the weather helps. Have a great weekend and all the best to Sir Kenneth.
Nice ride Paul! I've got the same tool bottle so I'm glad you found yours, electrical tape is an essential spare! Another thing that makes cycling in the heat bearable is the breeze you generate as you ride along although you still melt when you stop!
I add salt to plain water as the sodium helps with absorbtion although this shouldn't really be a problem for short rides. Also, if you're follically challenged on top, a cotton cap under the helmet can prevent stripey head sunburn! Wetting it also helps you feel cooler but don't waste valuable drinking water! Cheers
Never a dull moment Paul 🤣 I went out at 6.00 in the morning for a few days to beat the heat and had a Kip on the afternoons worked a treat. Thanks for another great video 👍🏻
Hi Paul, great to see you riding in my neck of the woods. Did you know that you were quite close to Ribble Cycles Showroom? Some nice bikes in there. I think you have inspired me to head over that way tomorrow. Also, have you ever been to Downham which is just up from Worston? Very nice village. One tip I have just discovered is carrying a couple of collapsible water bottles. If you're going into a remote area you can fill up beforehand and then you don't have to worry. You can pop them in your jersey when empty. Happy cycling and say hello to Sir Kenneth please.
I try to buy the SKS bottle cages, you will never lose anything from them, they even have an adjustable tab to fit longer bottles.
Hiya Paul. I live in Scotland, near Blairgowrie and I was out on my trusty steed today in the late morning. Just a 25 miler on country roads. At one point I rode over some hot, sticky tar. So the next problem was my tyres had a thin sticky layer of tar picking up small bits of gravel rattling making a hell of a noise around the underside of my mudguards. Anyway, the joys of cycling. Please pass on my regards to his Lordship, Sir Kenneth. Better not complain too much. It could be snowing tomorrow.🚴♀🚴♀
It's never to hot to ride…the hotter the better 🚴☀️
I think you should quickly patent that water dispensing invention before someone steals it 🤣 Put my name down for one 😉👍
nice video. Sir Kenneth made the right choice today. nice to have a solo ride. although we miss Sir Kenneth. Glad you found your tool bag!!
Nice one Paul. Yep, key points in this weather, plenty of fluids and ride within your limits.
Well done in the heat🥵 , you could almost be an Aussie. Don't forget to patent your upside down water bottle technique, little bit dribbly though (like me having a leak these days).
I'm 76 , third heatwave here in France , for us older riders , heat can kill so good plan for Sir Kenneth to stay in . My hot weather plan is – white top and helmet , mesh shoes , skull cap under helmet with spare in pocket , wet the cap when possible . 1 bottle with electrolyte tab in it , Take breaks in shade ( near streams if possible) . I've also got a cooling scarf , wet it and goes round your neck and inside your top . You can get orange hi viz velcro tape on a roll , wrap that round stuff so its easier to find if jumps overboard .
Beautiful ride. I'm glad you found your tools. The daft water transfer worked creates a few laughs. I've ridden in France when it was 40c but it was dry heat 🙂Loely to ride in the sun.
Been out in this weather.ended up with the back of my neck burnt . Made think me just short rides for now . 20 miles just do it
New tarmac will be TdF prep. Great ride but could inc wiswell pemberton. Then from worston to downham and on to chatburn.
Looked really beautiful in the sunshine!