GovernorSilver

I rode the Mount Vernon Trail (DC area) for a 4-hour, 23 mile round trip a couple of weeks ago. It was 90-ish. Fortunately, there was some shade available from trees along the trail. I bought 2 cold drinks along the way, in addition to the water bottle I had with me. For my next multi-hour ride on the trails, I'll probably bring two water bottles. It was my first time to go all the way to the end (Mt. Vernon Estate) either on foot or on bike - nice scenery! The climb to the estate though was rather hard for me - had to stop and take a break for a few minutes. I don't ride very fast as you can probably deduce from the 4 hr time - MapMyRide says I hit 20mph somewhere on the trail - must have been a descent.

I invested in some quick-dry attire (cycling shorts that look like regular shorts, quick-dry/moisture wicking shirt) and that made a big difference in the comfort level.

This reminded me to order more Akito mosquito-repellent patches. It's about that time of year.

Steely Dan

extremely hot and very dry is probably preferable to regular hot and extremely humid, but i've never had the opportunity to ride in the former. when we get hot east of the mississippi, it's almost always accompanied with that nasty, sticky disgustingness welling up from the gulf of mexico.

although, we can also thank the gulf for all of our lush summertime greenery, so it's not all bad i guess.

still not a fan of humidity.

Zap Hassellhoff

+1. High heat in Sacramento is nothing compared to the hellish blends of humidity found throughout the USA.

zonatandem

Commuted to work for 16 years in Tucson, Arizona.
One year had 100 days of 100+ degrees.
Morning commute was comfortable but getting off work at 3 p.m. was 'warmer.'
However our humidity is usually in single digits. Warmest commute was 117 degrees with 2% humidity. Do-able but not recommended!
Heat was rising off the pavement and right through my shoes. Had wet bandana and cycling cap that dried within less than 5 minutes. Eyeballs burning behind my glasses.
Have also ridden 100 mile event in the Delmarva area (east coast) with temps at 98 degrees and 98% humidity. Prefer riding at 110 in Tucson!

locolobo13 

I commute year round in Phoenix. The highest temp was 117°F a few years ago. Hot? Sure. But as others have said it's a dry heat. Plus my commute is only 5 mi one way.

If you just keep commuting every work day you become acclimated as the year goes along. Both to the highs and the lows. Are there limits? Yep. But we're capable of more than we think sometimes.

polishmadman

I've done it for the last 2 years and will do it again this year. Like people said, lots of water and a comfortable pace. And something to think about. Here when the weather channel says 110, on the road its closer to 120-125. Like I said, comfortable pace and lots of water.

hyhuu

For me, the worst part when it's that hot is when I got stuck at a long red light. The heat reflection of the road and the car exhaust might just kill me one of these days.

irwin7638

I have, years ago when I lived in KC during a heat wave. I didn't really notice except that I was drinking more water. Even stopping would not allow sweat to form on the skin. When I walked into air conditioning, I was immediately drenched.
Young and foolish, what else can I say?

Marc

dipy911

It'll be over 100 heat index here in Kansas City this afternoon. I'll still do my 10 mile ride home. I just need 2 water bottles and a big glass of water when I get home. Just keep moving and it's no big deal. When I stop at stoplights, I swear I can see the tire melting into the pavement. I too don't like colder than 30 degrees temperatures worse.

ItsJustMe

I've never experienced 110, but I have ridden at 105. It didn't really bother me that much, I just drank a little more water. I actually prefer temps above 90, they're nice.

highrpm

Sorry for the quick hijack, but for the AZ/NV folks that ride in this weather, do you sweat at all or does it evaporate immediately? Is body odor even an issue?

locolobo13 

Yes. LOL.

You sweat. It evaporates fairly quickly. How much you dry depends. I wear a backpack. Under the pack I'm soaked. In addition, a long hard effort you can sweat faster than it dries. But stand around for 30 min and it's dry again. Prefer to change clothes tho.

MNBikeCommuter

As many have mentioned, the humidity is the killer. 2-3 summers ago we had some mid-90 days with dew points in the lower 80s (yes, in MN), and the heat index peaked at 119F. I biked 30+ miles home in that three or four days, and about all I can say is that I preferred that to biking at -10F. Halfway home I stopped to wring out jersey, gloves, and socks. By the time I got home, my shoes were oozing and dripping on the pavement with every pedal stroke. The puddle I left on the patio after wringing things out at home was rather impressive. I much prefer the dry heat in western ND where I grew up. The temp peaked at 114F but that was much more pleasant biking in.

jimmie65

Humidity is definitely the issue. My wife rarely bikes, but did a 40 mile ride with me in Albuquerque with temps around 100. But I sometimes struggle to finish my 10 mile commute when it hits 100 degrees here in south Texas.

TenSpeedV2

After the last two winters we have had in Michigan, I absolutely would. Humidity or not, I would in a heartbeat. Would take it easy and slow my pace down but would definitely do it. 7.5 miles each way, and some of it is in the shade. I work second shift so it would be early afternoon if it were to happen. Heat won't stop me like the blistering cold would. I rode to work when it was an actual temp of 0, wind chill in the double digits. Why not ride triple digits, at least once!

Robert C

I use a bike for my transportation; as such, 10 or 110, I still ride. When it is hot I tend to pack an extra shirt to change into when I stop.

Matariki

I've done it on the few days that it gets above 100 here. I think it was 107 on one of the days. As Tarwheel said, it is rather humid. Other than drinking water and curtailing my sprinting, it was not bad for a 6-8 mile commute. While moving, the air cools you more than just a bit. Stopping is like stepping into a sauna though. Extreme temps certainly build character.

79pmooney

In my younger days, if it was a job I wanted, yes. No choice. I did not own a car. Never saw those temps in Massachusetts or Michigan, but I did see and ride in -5F. And 98F with very high humidity. I have seen 105 here in Portland, commuting. (My car at the time had no AC and riding felt a lot better.) I do rmrber once turning down a street between two buildings on one of those 105F days and hitting a wall of heat!

Ben

erig007

Commute in -110F, yep no problem

Andy_K 

I think you may have overshot it a bit. It's been in the 90's this week for us inlanders. Has it hit 65 at the coast?

polishmadman

For me, yeah, it evaporates very quicky. It looks like I just rode through a rain storm as I enter a building. Only, I'm the only thing wet. Now as for odor, I've never been told I smell. I do give myself time to cool before changing. Not to mention, I use baby wipes and more deodorant.

Pemetic2006

I don't commute but I ride a lot here in eastern PA. It doesn't typically get much above the mid 90's but that is nearly always accompanied by high dew points (sometimes above 75 degrees, usually 60-70 degrees). I'd much rather ride in it than run in it.

fietsbob

might hit 65F(15C) at the most, this week.

practical

I've never been in that kind of heat. I've been outside in San Diego when the temps were the high 90's (low humidity) and enjoyed it. But I was young. Last summer I rode in Vermont when the temp was in the 90's and it was the hardest thing I've ever done. Heat exhaustion really knocked me down. So I guess it depends.

Fly2High

I live on Long Island where we rarely see over 100 but we often see high rel. humidity. I would gladly have high heat with low RH than have 80's and 90's with high humidity.

When you sweat, it never feels like it comes off your body. You are always wet. The only way to cool off is to wipe the sweat off since it isn't evaporating all that fast.

The air feels like it has less oxygen so it is harder to breathe and recover from hard efforts. I think it is displaced by all that water.


This is why I like winters on L.I. At least I am dry during a workout.