Fifty Plus (50+) - Riding in hot weather

I often hear people talking about it being too hot to ride or how they suffered terribly during a hot or humid ride. This really brings home for me how different we all are. Although I am sometimes uncomfortable on an extremely hot day, I have always been able to ride even in temps above 100F with high humidity. I can recall a few times I have completed century rides in 100+ heat.

Yesterday was the hottest day we have had here so far with a high of 101 and heat index over 110. It had dropped a couple of degrees by the time I rode my weekly hilly 30 mile ride at 5:15pm, but it was still plenty hot. I set my personal best time for this course I have been riding for several years.

I know that genetics plays a part in this. I come from generations of people who farmed in South Georgia. I doubt many people without an inherent ability to endure heat and humidity would have stayed here and raised families under these conditions.

But I wonder how much of this comes from acclimation. I do tend to suffer a bit on the first really hot ride every year. But by June I have always done several rides on hot days. I just spent a week riding 60+ miles each day and living outside with highs ranging from 85 at the beginning to 97 on the last couple of days.

I realize that there are people with physical limitations, and I am not ignoring or downplaying that, but I do think that many people "can't" do things in hot weather mostly because they "don't" do things in hot weather.

Sure acclimation plays a major role. I was in Saudi woring the flightline in the summer with heat indexes of 140 degs. At night with temps in the 80's it would feel chilly. One winter in Fairbanks I was working out side in -55 weather. Had a warmer sunny day of 15 degs a few weeks later and I was walking around in a T-shirt thinking "man what a nice day"

What you have to worry about riding in the heat is a heat induced heart attack. It has happened to a few cyclists over the years even though their arteries were perfectly clear.

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I realize that there are people with physical limitations, and I am not ignoring or downplaying that, but I do think that many people "can't" do things in hot weather mostly because they "don't" do things in hot weather.

There is "doing things" and then there is "doing things with a lot of intensity". I am one of those whose performance is affected a lot by high heat... always have been. I grew up in the deep south and thought nothing of the heat back then ("must be Eskimos living as far north as Atlanta") but I did not try to do high endurance things I am doing these days. The problem comes when "heat limited" folk get mixed in with those not so limited and try to keep up with them... then you have difficulty and danger.

So I agree with you somewhat, but I would have to be on of those early starters on a ride like BRAG.

I also enjoy hot weather riding.

Water, wicking clothing, head winds and some shade every so often make it good.

I'll take hot weather riding any day over cold weather riding. Living in the Houston area I too have no problem with riding in hot weather but cold weather is another story.

If it's below 50 degrees I don't ride. I have a hard time in cold weather.

Sarge

After working outside most of my life, I seem to adapt to different weather pretty well. When it get really hot I try to get out a little earlier, but it's still hot when I'm done of course. I get down to 185# for a short time anyhow.:D

The hardest part of riding in the heat is waiting at stoplights or, heaven forbid, dealing with a flat or a mechanical.

I will carry a 24 oz bottle of water for every 15 miles I plan to ride in heat like we are currently experiencing or on home turf stop at water points I know.

A bandanna is a must accessory for rides in this heat. I'll use it to mop my face and water it down and cool my neck.

After working outside most of my life, I seem to adapt to different weather pretty well. When it get really hot I try to get out a little earlier, but it's still hot when I'm done of course. I get down to 185# for a short time anyhow.:D

I'm constantly amazed at how much water weight I'll shed even drinking water at the rate I do.

I also enjoy hot weather riding. One of the side benefits for me is that none of the joints ache during hot weather (well at least not as bad as they do in cold weather). Just the other day my oldest son and I set out on an afternoon ride with high heat and humidity. As we shot down the short hill from my driveway, he said, "I love that first whoosh of air. It let's you know that there is much more relief from heat when you ride instead of running." I hadn't thought about it that way, but I had to smile. I couldn't imagine running in the same weather.

People that run in this heat are a lot tougher than I am.

My wife will express dismayed amazement as I head out the door to ride in 90+ heat and I tell her every time that as long as I'm moving I've got a cooling breeze. Plus when riding, unlike running, you can rest and keep moving and cooling.

I have no problem in hot or humid weather where I ride is because it is partially shaded. The only time I don't ride is when there is a smog alert which we have had the past few days here in the city. I just stay in all day. Bad air quailty will do me in fast.

I tolerate heat well, too. But it does take some getting acclimated at the beginning of every summer, it seems. Last year, carrying around an extra 10 pounds, I struggled more than usual in the summer. This year, with that weight gone, has been a lot different. Last Sunday, riding a 200k on a windy and humid 96 degree day, I rode stronger than I have in a long time.

Can an old (almost 67) runner who has logged over 71,000 miles--most all of it in the South--the last 23 yrs in Tallahassee, FL make a few observations? Thanks. When the DEW point is up over 70, my HR is 10-15 beats higher than the same pace on a 50 degree day. Slowing down comes naturally. Very few folks PR (Personal best times when it is hot and humid). Hydration is important. If out over 2 hrs some drink enhancers(I use Motor Tabs) are a good idea. You can gradually condition yourself to deal with heat and humidity. Be very careful. Heat can kill.

Biking is much easier in the heat. Sat I rode 60 miles with the temp and humidity over 90. When I run 10 miles in the same conditions I really feel it. May I mention a product that has worked great for me. It is a recovery drink called Endurox R4. I cut the recommended "dosage" in 1/2 and drink a Polar bottle--24 oz cooling down and usually another Polar bottle while showering. It makes a big difference. I recommend fruit flavor and lots of ice.

I lose less salt as a fit athelete than someone who has not trained and acclimated themselves. People run across Death Valley in a 135 mile road race. Enjoy the heat--BUT--be careful. Know the signs of heat exhaustion. Enjoy the journey. Nick

I do pretty well in the heat. I sweat profusely so on a long hard ride in hot humid weather, I can suffer hyponatrimia. I can put it off pretty well by eating table salt when I start hitting 3+ large water bottles consumed and I still have a ways to go.

I do fine in cold weather. Even after living in central Florida for 20 years, I can go to a cold situation and be pretty comfortable when most people are bundled up. I can ride well in cold weather. I think my cut off was around 20 degrees but I have not had that is central Florida. I SCUBA dive too. My wife is a far better diver but I can handle cold exposure better in my skin (just a nylon lycra shell) than she can in a 3 mm wet suit.

I just drink more. Handle hot weather lots better than cold these days.

Some of my best races have been on the coast in Mexico and Guatemala, where it gets quite hot in spring and fall (the highlands are always like springtime in that part of the world). But then I'm one of those people who keep the leg warmers on until it's 20 deg C (68F) or higher. Even though I live in the Pac NW, my performance drops when it gets cold. I remember being in a cross-country ski race years ago. Temp was slightly below 0 C. I had vest and gloves over the racing suit, but the guy who won the race was a German who had been on his country's Olympic Nordic Combined Team. He showed up at the start line without any gloves on!

One thing I learned very early in my racing career was that if you show up early for your race, always sit in the shade on a hot day. I once sat in the sun waiting for my criterium to start. By the time the race started, I was feeling totally drained. I think I got dropped on the 2nd lap, feeling a bit dizzy! So lately, whenever I've been to races at the velodrome, I always seek out friends with a tent on the infield. And you're always shifting your chair to stay in the shade. Once on the bike, though, no problem!

L.

When I saw the forecast for my time in Tuscaloosa, Al this week I left the bike at home. I'm not riding in a heat index of 110º, period. The Tues. evening ride I wanted to do was rained out anyway. I just can't ride in the heat for whatever reason. It's more than metal attitude for me because I have tried so many times with the same miserable result.

Temperature is not a problem - providing enough water and electrolites are taken. Pure water and I will be taking too much for comfort. Clothing and I still wear a wicking base layer and I do have better jerseys for wicking away moisture than others. But once you get up to speed- then the heat seems to disappear. Air current over the wicking jerseys and I stay cooler.

I do not suffer with sunburn except in one spot and that is the back of the neck- So I wear a cotton Scarf around the neck. (Only piece of cotton cycling gear I own.) Sweat running from the scalp into the eyes used to be a problem till I started wearing a cycling cap and when worn back to front- offers more protection for the neck.

But Haven't done a ride above 85degs in years. We just don't get that weather over here except a few days in August when I have to be at work and driving around in a car without air conditioning.

Out where I ride humidity is a non-issue (dry heat); I thought I used to enjoy riding in very hot conditions, but as I've gotten older it would seem the tolerance band is shrinking. Now, if the temps are 95 F or above, the ride starts at the garden hose w/ a total head to foot drenching and is quite an enjoyable ride until everything dries out, so, yeah, it becomes a ride of going from faucet to faucet after a while.

I'll take hot weather riding any day over cold weather riding. Living in the Houston area I too have no problem with riding in hot weather but cold weather is another story.

If it's below 50 degrees I don't ride. I have a hard time in cold weather.

Sarge

I echo your sentiments. I grew up in Montana and it took decades to adjust to heat and humidity. Now that I am finally acclimated I much prefer riding in Hot weather. I don't like riding even when it is 70. The sun is more an issue than the heat. Bicycle speed helps improve the comfort level in hot weather and makes it more uncomfortable when the temperature drops.

Funny you should mention riding in the heat. I'm in Louisiana for a few days. Ambient temperatures are mid/upper 90's, and heat indicies are 103 - 107 range. I grew up in this heat and humidity and have spent most of my life in it, but I noticed this week that the rides I've done down here are more taxing than they are up in northwest Arkansas (NWA). Add to that, there are no hills down here. I've been working in NWA for around five years or so, and I believe I've gotten soft. I rode this morning and did OK, but my pace was a bit slower than it would have been in NWA with hills but lower temperatures and humidity.

I enjoy hot weather riding too, as long as I regularly hydrate my self. I carry two bottles with me, one for water and one for a mix of gatorade and
whatever juice I can mix with it. I had overcome the heat by wearing
moisture wicking, quick drying and with SPF factor of at least 15 long sleeved
sports jerseys. I stop at places where I can refill my water bottle and use the
restroom. I also drench myself with water when there's a faucet I can
access. In spring and to late summer, my average ride is always more than
50 miles, so I wear a headsweat bandana to protect the top of my head from
the sun and wick away the sweat.

The only thing that really bothers me is the chafing. I thought it was my saddle and after new bibs and many saddles I found out that it was the heat. All that salt I guess. Anyhow I finally have that pretty much taken care of, I hope anyhow. I'll know more tomorrow. I'll start using Aquaphor as a base for the Bag Balm. It worked last year, but I forgot to start using again. I have to blame that on age and other BS in my life.:D

Give me -20 F over +80 F any day. Cycling is actually one of the better things for me to do in hot weather, because the airflow cools me off. Hiking down to my favorite falcon watching spot on a hot day is much more stress.

Paul

Hot weather is a way of life here. Once you get up to speed it's not so bad. What really zaps my energy is riding against head winds (daily sea breezes) on my afternoon commute home. I really have to strain against the wind and can overheat in a hurry. On other days with mild winds, it's no sweat. (So to speak.)

Out where I ride humidity is a non-issue (dry heat);
I always smile when I hear the term "dry heat" used. Let me be the one to point out that the heat generated in your kitchen oven is "dry" as well...:D

I don't fare well in hot humid weather. Some of my medications induce sweating, plus I am a heavy sweater to start with. A few years ago, due to dehydration, I ended up in the hospital at the end of a hilly, hot 60 plus mile ride.

It can get hot and humid here in Ohio, but nothing like you southerners are accustomed to.

I'll take hot weather riding any day over cold weather riding. Living in the Houston area I too have no problem with riding in hot weather but cold weather is another story.

If it's below 50 degrees I don't ride. I have a hard time in cold weather.

Sarge


I am with you Sarge if its warm or hot I love it when riding. Like you I too do not ride when its below 50 degrees. In fact this weekend is suppose to be in the 80's and 90's I can't wait. :thumb:

... Let me be the one to point out that the heat generated in your kitchen oven is "dry" as well...:D

Indeed, and the only heat worse I can think of riding in (and have done so in the past) is riding in high temps and humidity; sorta like riding in a kitchen oven and being basted at the same time.:twitchy:

Riding in the heat is OK, its stopping that gets you. :)

Not a fan of hot & humid weather. Up here in Wisconsin, we don't get much of it. Some summers more than others. Last summer most of July was in the 70s. I loved it. Early morning, even in July, are usually upper 50s or low 60s.

I have a hard time riding for more than a few miles if it is over about 85 & humid. If not humid, then 90 is okay. But this doesn't rule many days out around here.

Our highs over the past 5 days have been: 75, 72, 70, 72, 77

Riding in the heat is OK, its stopping that gets you. :)

+1 :thumb:

its 105-110 here and will be more soon here in phonix

I rode in 100 last week, did only 20 miles and 2 24oz bottles and still ran out with a few miles to go for home, there was some moderate hills , I actually liked it after 20 minutes into ride was soo sweaty I cooled down nice

If you can't handle heat/humidity, then you'd never ride where I live! (Hint: check my sig below.)
On my last ride I went through two water bottles before the 20 mile mark (heat index was 105F that day).

If you can't handle heat/humidity, then you'd never ride where I live! (Hint: check my sig below.)
On my last ride I went through two water bottles before the 20 mile mark (heat index was 105F that day).

No, I would never live where you ride! lol

I hate hot weather, but I can ride in it to a point. On climbing rides I can't drink enough to keep up with the loss. On a medium climbing ride I will be 5-7 pounds lighter after and I have come home from a long climbing ride 11 pounds light. I have consumed 220 ounces of fluids on a ride.
Working as a mechanic in the heat wears me down sometimes, too, and when the long rides come up on Saturday I start out pretty run down.

I love riding in 50-70 degree weather.

I hate hot weather, but I can ride in it to a point....

...I love riding in 50-70 degree weather.

You and me both. I can ride in hotter weather but not nearly as hard. I have to take it MUCH easier in the heat.

Hot weather really wears on me, especially when I haven't had a chance to get acclimated. I'm much more comfortable in cool to cold, even rainy, weather. Must be my scandihoovian ancestors. Kinda like in Le Tour a few years back: it was cold and rainy, and all the riders were going on about how miserable it was. Somebody interviewed Thor Hushovd, major Norwegian sprinter dude, and his response was, "I don't mind it at all. Kinda reminds me of home."

SP
Bend, OR

When I lived in VA I noticed a drop in my average speed when riding a well known route when it got hot. I never really minded riding in the heat - that is if you kept moving but I would avoid long climbs, when there is no air moving and it's hot & humid you can die on a climb quickly. I think it was the climbs that would slow me down in the heat.

But I wonder how much of this comes from acclimation.

I was born & raised in Buffalo but I live in Fort Worth now. I have no love for heat, but since I started riding in it, I find it easier to bear. I think there are several components to acclimation. One is just getting used to the temps, but also there is the learning curve- knowing when you're over-doing it and should back off a bit, and also preparation and hydration. When I was a kid up north my brother and I would ride all over the place and never had water with us; now I don't leave the house without water if it's over, say, 70 degrees.

I'm still adjusting to the heat for this season; on a group ride Saturday I challenged the front of the pack climbing a hill and nearly bonked three-fourths of the way up. I had to back off quite a bit and had that fatigued feeling for the rest of the day (although I had no problem finishing the ride). I think the heat contributed to that, although I also hadn't eaten yet at that point (it was a breakfast ride).


I hate hot weather, but I can ride in it to a point.

I love riding in 50-70 degree weather.

I don't consider anything under 90 to be particularly hot. Around 90 I start to feel it; at 100 I have to take it easy. It will be mid- to high-90s for today's commute home; we'll see how bad it affects me.

I'll take hot weather over cold weather any day. I live in Montana, so warm weather cycling really only occurs from around mid-June through mid-September. I don't like cold weather cycling at all.

Getting warmish here.

48 C and 95% humidity

Forecast is for 10 more C to come

I'm scared of going back to Yorkshire this summer - I like warm, I hate cold

Was on an offshore platform this week. Safety advisory to wear gloves before climbing offshore stairs because bare skin on a handrail would stick.

Cycling was great. I LOVE seeing splashes down my arms hitting the road

S. Michigan gets an average of 6 days per year in the 90s(F) but we've been below that average for the past 5 years or so. So extreme heat isn't a problem for me. Although one reason I got a highracer last year was to get me further off the hot pavement on sunny summer days.

I don't consider anything under 90 to be particularly hot. Around 90 I start to feel it; at 100 I have to take it easy. It will be mid- to high-90s for today's commute home; we'll see how bad it affects me.

Yeah, 90 isn't so bad. When it gets 95-100 is when it makes a huge difference on the climbs. Flat rides aren't the problem.

I much prefer riding in gawdawful hot weather to riding in gawdawful cold weather. To the point of riding almost not at all in cold (20's or below) weather.

As previously mentioned, the worst part about hot-hot rides is stopping for red lights.

Unlike in the South, hot weather in Indiana is usually, but not always, humid.