BMX - Heat!!!

Ok, i don't know about where you live, but its been over 100 degrees here the last few days and it really sucks. i can't even go ride cause its too damn hot and i keep getting dehydrated and I can't concentrate. Anyone have any tips on riding in heat. I know there are a lot of riders from Cali, Florida, Arizona, ect, ect How do you people stand riding in the heat all the time?:confused:

Yeah, I'm near you (in NH) so I have been feeling this heat also.

How to beat it? Two words: lake jumping.

It's a ton of fun. You can ride and cool off at the same time. I'll try to get some pics online, we are currently building a 5+ ft. wooden launch that will hopefully be done by the end of the week.

But it's really to hot to be digging or jumping right now, I just got back from a ride and I was drenched.

-bs

Way ahead of you man...we built one of those last year. :) Its awesome, but i dont get any good practice in. i ride flatland, so jumpin in the river doesnt help me out in that aspect very well. it is still fun though. i need to find some way to keep me cool on a black paved parking lot. I tryed wrapping and ice pack around the back of my neck, but that just gave me a real bad headache :)

I tryed wrapping and ice pack around the back of my neck, but that just gave me a real bad headache :p Yeah, that doesn't seem like it would work to well, plus it would melt in half an hour.

Maybe you could find a parking garage or gymnasium somewhere to ride in until it cools down.

-bs

yeah i tri that too, but there are no parking garages here and no gyms that they will let me in. :( Trust me i tried cuz i wanted a place to ride in the winter time too, but nothing at all could be found

It's Africa-hot here in Philly, too. The way I deal with it, because staying home is not an option, is to stay hydrated and in the shade as much as possible.

My choice for staying hydrated is gatorade, because you need to replenish your salts in order to hold on to water. Powdered gatorade is the way to go because 1. it costs 1/2 of the bottled variety, and 2. bottled gatorade is a tad more concentrated than you actually need.

Shaving your head and wearing a straw hat is the ultimate. IMHO it looks better than wearing a wet turban.

Peace,
BK

Some thing you might try, get a large hydration pack filled with ice water and wear a cycling cap of some sort. As you start getting hot soak the cap with the chilled water. Keeps your head cool and the chilled water will help keep your core temp down.
Slainte:beer:

Florida here. People here are riding smart by riding early pre-dawn or sunset to night rides. Not many are riding in the middle of the day except those that have to for whatever reason.

Another thing is you northerners have to realize that we're acclimated to the heat because it's over 80 degrees most of the year and upper 80's and above for a good 3 months. You guys have short bursts of really hot temps so you don't get a chance to get acclimated.

Naturally you need to stay hydrated with an electrolyte solution like Gatorade. Water alone may not be enough. A hydration pack is very helpful.

Hose yourself down occasionally with water you keep in a bottle. If you keep your head cool, the rest of the body can pretty much deal.

Ride early or ride late but avoid the hot sun.

Don't push extra mileage or speed right now. Take it easy. You may even want to cut back.

Thanks a lot for the help guys. I'll try not to melt the next few days of riding. :)