We've had excessive heat warnings for roughly 40% of the summer here, and it truly made me appreciate cold rides. These are two separate rides, same route, with slight wind differences, but a 25 degree temperature difference.
Anyone here ride in 95 degree weather, and if so, any tips?
by LindenSpruce
12 Comments
Yeah, today was “only” 91 degrees with a heat index of about 95 and my heart rate was shooting up much higher than normal and everything felt hard.
Every day lately. I’ve been wearing a gaiter around my neck and dousing it with cold water periodically. Having CamelBak filled with ice water pressed against your back feels good. If I’m not deliberate about driving in electrolytes I know I’ll wake up cramping in the night. The smoke is what’s killing me. Peloton day.
Last singer I ride in 103°. It was crucial to only stop in the shady forests, it was a bit less hot there. Still, my pulsate was higher than average.
Heat adaptation makes you faster. Keep at it and you’ll start to see some gains.
I blend my drink mix into a slushy with ice. With this it’ll stay ice cold for atleast 1 hour within 2 hours it is still room temp in a insulated bottle. Also ice socks down the back of my neck help with the rpe.
I think this really really depends on where you live.
South Florida here. I ride at sun up as that’s the coolest time. Insulated water bottle with ice water is a life saver.
Adjust when you ride. Heat acclimatization is for sure a thing, but for me it isn’t worth the pain or risk. I just ride earlier in the day. I have a friend that lives in a desert climate and he only rides at night. When I did MTB regularly in 100+ in Texas, we stopped every 20 minutes to shower with ice water in my 3l camelbak
Dude I normally go at like 6am, but for whatever reason today I decided to go after work which put me riding in like 98° sunny/windy conditions.
Never again, fuck this. People who enjoy riding in those conditions are psychopaths, change my mind.
Went 2mph average slower and my heart rate was like ~20bpm higher. Just felt like I had headwind in every direction, legs were like dead tired almost immediately after starting. Lower back pain that I haven’t been having lately decided to return, not even five miles in. Absolutely hated it. I thought I was somewhat heat acclimated, but *apparently fucking not.*
Bonus: there are so many goddamn cars out at this time compared to early mornings.
Sorry I don’t have a tip for you, just came to bitch and commiserate.
I did a ride last week during cool rainy weather then almost the same ride several days later after it was back in the 90s and my hr was at least 20 bpm faster
Just stay hydrated and listen to your body. It’s been brutal in South Carolina this year. Dew points of almost 80 and heat indexes of 110. I’ll have to wring out my helmet at least twice on most rides
You also went way faster on the hot ride….