Dealing with the heat

[piper_chuck]

The high temps predicted for today and the rest of the week remind me why I like cycling as a form of exercise and recreation. The constant breeze and ease with which one can carry water make it much easier to tolerate the heat.

[Pugslyyy]

And as we ride in these warmer temps, time to pay more serious attention to electrolyte replenishment as part of hydration. When it is cooler not such a big deal but now that it is warmer needed to prevent cramping, etc.

[skiffrun]

.... The constant breeze and ease with which one can carry water make it much easier to tolerate the heat.Until one has to stop at a sign or light --> no breeze. :( And the water, 45 minutes after starting, it has become room temp or higher. :(:eek:

Start early, finish early. That's my way to try to stay :cool:.

[RoverDave]

So I will throw this out there as a fairly new guy to the cycling world...

Now that I am riding more and more, and this time of year in NC like it always is HOT and HUMID, what are some of the ways to "beat the heat" the best you can.

Talking to Tim tonight, he gave me a good rule...ride till you are out of one bottle of water (assuming you have 2) then turn around and ride back.

Things along those lines....advice...

[piper_chuck]

So I will throw this out there as a fairly new guy to the cycling world...

Now that I am riding more and more, and this time of year in NC like it always is HOT and HUMID, what are some of the ways to "beat the heat" the best you can.

Talking to Tim tonight, he gave me a good rule...ride till you are out of one bottle of water (assuming you have 2) then turn around and ride back.

Things along those lines....advice...
Drink small amounts of water, often. In hot weather, I usually take a swig or two every five minutes or so. A large bottle typically lasts no more than 1 hour for me. I also usually drink about a bottle's worth in the hour before I ride.

[KarenG]

on the bike showers. :D or off the bike while standing under a tree.

[Pugslyyy]

on the bike showers. :D or off the bike while standing under a tree.

just make sure you use the waterbottle with plain water in it not gatorade!

[tombiowami]

I gauge about 1 bottle per hour that has around 200 calories of sports drink and electrolytes. If I am riding longer, then I make sure to fill up at a sag stop or store as I only carry 2 bottles max for the most part. I always carry some Hammer Endurolytes as well for electrolytes.

If I am riding for longer than a half hour or so, I generally put a healthy dose of sunscreen on as well. Never above the eyes though as it will run down into them and hurt very much.

I usually have a long drive home after a ride, so I always pack a quart or so of water in a cooler for the ride home. I usually freeze my bottles the night before, like they generally warm up pretty quick in hot temps anyway.

If I am going for a very long ride and it is pretty hot, then I will make sure to hydrate well a couple days before the ride. While most of this is common sense, it is easy to forget it and getting dehydrated on a long ride can be dangerous as the brain stops functioning as well and decision making ability is impaired.

T