Would Anyone Commute in 110°F Weather?
#76
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Maybe, but I never experienced temps that high before to my knowledge. 103 to 105 is the most I remember seeing--and that from being in Texas, SC, GA and Tn, not to mention growing up in Illinois and now living in Ohio.
#77
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It hit 104F here in Sactown this afternoon. NBD.
#79
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Personally, I would have little choice in the matter, I don't own a car so it would be either ride my bike or ride the bus. I'd more than likely still ride my bike though.
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I commuted during consecutive brutal summers here where we regularly had highs above 100F. Even after 5 p.m., the coolest it got on my 10.7 mile ride was 106 on several days.
I would advise hydrating well before you start, then drinking all along the way. And take it easy. Sometimes I finished a second bottle during the 50-minute trip.
It actually wasn't that bad. I knew I had it better than the motorcyclists and scooter riders sitting on top of their red-hot engines.
That said, I hope to keep it in double digits this year.
I would advise hydrating well before you start, then drinking all along the way. And take it easy. Sometimes I finished a second bottle during the 50-minute trip.
It actually wasn't that bad. I knew I had it better than the motorcyclists and scooter riders sitting on top of their red-hot engines.
That said, I hope to keep it in double digits this year.
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water seems to be the common theme. good to know if temps reach high levels, what to do
#82
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110 here on my commute yesterday. 114-115 forecast for the rest of the week. Blast furnace, but still more comfortable than high humidity.
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We are in the midst of a heat spell in NC, with record high temps the past few days. The highs have been around 100 F but the humidity is what makes it awful, with dew points about 70. That makes the heat index about 105. I rode Monday when the high hit 99 but drove yesterday when it was supposed to reach 102 (actual was 100). I rode again today because it's only supposed to reach 97.
One of my coworkers rides to work every day, rain or shine, snow and ice, hot and cold. She rode yesterday and got a flat on the way home, when temps were about 100. She echoed my views on the subject -- that riding in extreme heat and humidity is worse than riding on the coldest days in winter (which typically are in the teens around here). You can dress for the cold, but there's not much you can do to relieve high heat and humidity. The worst part for me is sitting at long red lights at major intersections. I've got several such intersections on my afternoon commute in which I am facing the sun with no shade at lights that take 3-5 minutes to cycle through, surrounding by about 8 lanes of pavement. Temperatures must be at least 5 degrees hotter than the official measurements.
One of my coworkers rides to work every day, rain or shine, snow and ice, hot and cold. She rode yesterday and got a flat on the way home, when temps were about 100. She echoed my views on the subject -- that riding in extreme heat and humidity is worse than riding on the coldest days in winter (which typically are in the teens around here). You can dress for the cold, but there's not much you can do to relieve high heat and humidity. The worst part for me is sitting at long red lights at major intersections. I've got several such intersections on my afternoon commute in which I am facing the sun with no shade at lights that take 3-5 minutes to cycle through, surrounding by about 8 lanes of pavement. Temperatures must be at least 5 degrees hotter than the official measurements.
#84
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Would I do it? Honestly I would have no choice. I only ride a bicycle. I have been out in far worse heat than that as the heat index can get to 120-125 for a week or two in mid july. Honestly it's the cold that stops me long before heat. Today it was 94° (about 35c) though low humidity, so it was quite nice. but I like warm weather. Phoenix would be the idea city for me weather wise.
#86
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Summer commuting here in Athens (Greece) sees temperatures in the 90-100F's, but thankfully with little to no humidity.
As mentioned before by others, the trick is hydration and not to over-exert yourself; heat-stroke is nasty, especially when you're on a bike!
As mentioned before by others, the trick is hydration and not to over-exert yourself; heat-stroke is nasty, especially when you're on a bike!
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Car light so yeah... Not that I think it really gets that hot here. Just bring water. Possibly two bottles.
I've been active in that kind of heat, with humidity like swimming in soup when my family lived in the American deep South.... you get used to it. Oddly, not having AC helps.
I've been active in that kind of heat, with humidity like swimming in soup when my family lived in the American deep South.... you get used to it. Oddly, not having AC helps.
#88
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1) Take it easy. Go at a relaxed pace.
2) Start hydrating ahead of time, maybe 15-20 minutes ahead of time.
3) Refrigerated water is good.
4) A wet bandana around your neck will keep you cooler.
5) If you get a flat, find shade before you repair the flat.
6) The sky is such a beautiful pale blue when it's that hot.
7) People in cars without AC have it much worse than you do.
8) Back then, I was running cheap Kenda tires. I learned it was wise to pick the bike up off the pavement when stopped at a traffic signal or my tires would get soft and the tube would blow out the sidewalls. The folks at Continental assured me that this would not happen with their tires, but I didn't have a chance to check it out.
9) Its not that hot on the morning commute.
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#89
Pedaled too far.
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As long as you are rolling, the heat doesn't seem to hurt the tires much. However, a long stoplight can warm up a cheap set of Kenda's to the point that they get soft and the sidewalls get pushed out of the casing by the pressure of the tube.
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#91
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Sure. Lots of cars break down here, causing big backups. Riding is the only practical choice. We've had 95 F / heat index 102 all week and it's no problem.
#92
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Whew!!!!
You guys aren't moving to one of those countries where they shoot at anything that moves?
I think I'd learn to ride early and stay at work late in those temperatures.
You guys aren't moving to one of those countries where they shoot at anything that moves?
I think I'd learn to ride early and stay at work late in those temperatures.
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I live around Sacramento CA and ride in triple digits every year. It's really not that bad. In the winter I suffer through the mornings for the afternoon ride and in the summer suffer through the afternoons for the morning ride.
#94
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I'll do my commute all summer long, and usual temps here in from July-August are in the low to mid 90s and sometimes over 95 with lows of about 80-85, but humidity is crazy high. I'll just drink a lot of water and sweat like crazy.
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It's been toasty in coastal NC here lately, and no breaks in sight. I did several 100F+ rides in CO, but I generally drive above 90F here due to the humidity. That said, I got 2 rides in this week with consistent 90+ temps and am hoping for at least 2 rides next week. Otherwise I run at the gym in the AC
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I went out for several rides when visiting family in bakersfield CA in 110-114 weather. Very enjoyable...hot, but the air was dry as a bone.
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But there any riders out in Japan that LACK body fat, so there be nothing to "sweat." (?)
#98
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I'll go for 10 to 12 miles for an afternoon ride at 90ish but I'd be soaked if it were a commute. 70% humidity in the AM here.
#100
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I'm the guy in Japan who has some fat left to spare (and that's at 72.5 kg 173cm). I feel fat here, but luckily I'll visit the states again soon, so I'll feel really fit.