Overkll

So as if it wasn't hot enough last night, I decide I'm gonna ride faster (the breeze is nice). Stop at the end of the MUP and my head was a steamin', before I could use the ole' brain I was squirting water on my head. BAD idea, almost passed out! Today I just remembered to slow down and the moral of the story is:

HOT HEAD + COLD WATER = PASS OUT
HOT HEAD + COLD WATER == REFRESHING

But you all knew this, as did I, but still did it nonetheless. I'm pretty sure Superman passed out doing the exact same thing coming back from the sun...

Kerry

jyossarian

Squirting cold water on your head is bad for you? I didn't know that.

Overkll

This has always been a problem for me (maybe only me?). The shock of TOO COLD water on my head (ice cubes in bottle) shocks my system. The 110 degrees didn't help either.

No one else get this? Perhaps I should learn to pace myself in any sport!

Oh well, I think it'll only be 100 tonight.

HardyWeinberg

One very hot New England summer day I just about stopped breathing when somebody poured a bucket of frigid white mountain creek water on me from above. That was just once, haven't had it happen again (either the loss of breathing or the bucket of frigid water from above).

DataJunkie

I used to mow yards in my hometown in the warmest part of the day. It was about 110F with a push lawnmower and several acre yards. One time I became so warm I jumped into a cold shower directly after finishing our yard. Never ever again. I could not breathe for a minute or two.

swwhite

Actually, I did not know that at all. Thank you. I never do that, but it certainly would cross my mind on a hot day. I will either not do it or be extremely careful.

Banzai

I will not repeat after you...

...because I am a Super Hero.

anonymouse99

...but what about all the cyclists and runners who douse themselves over the head with cold drinks, instead of drink them as they should.

I've done it and at the time my concern wasn't cold shock, but rather the refreshing cold water eventually turning into a boiling spring in my now soaked shirt, making heat dissipation more difficult.

Caspar_s

I do this on my rides home now - but the left over water from my bottle is normally too warm to drink. Maybe remember not to use ice cold water. It is really nice with just luke warm water.

Bike_UK

Drink plenty of water all the time and let your body take care of cooling itself.

Tut!

gear

I remember watching Bruce Springsteen run behind the stage to dunk his head in a tub of ice water then do the "dog shake" and run back on stage. That was about three hours into his show. He didn't pass out though.

EGreen

One time I had such a caffeine jones that I poured a just brewed cup of black coffee over my head. Don't do that either.

Lucky07

Ok, Bruce *might be* a superhero. Floyd too. Except if there was testosterone in the water. Then, not so much...

max-a-mill

someone did that to me at a mountainbike race a couple weeks ago.

all i heard is "you ready for a nestea plunge?"

"sure!" i say (i have no idea what she is talking about)

next thing i know i got a bottle full if ICY water right on my head.... it was awesome!!! it was hot that day.

newbojeff

I don't get this. On these hot days, I've had my kids waiting for me at home with the garden hose. Get home, put the bike away, panniers off, helmet off, shoes off, hose on...very cold. They -- ages 6 and 4 -- think it is hillarious and it is a great way to cool off after the ride.

DataJunkie

It is due to the extreme difference between severly overheating and the temp of the cold water.
Overdoing it to the point you are flirting with heatstroke and then taking a shower with water provided by the cold columbia river will not feel very good.

tulip

Yesterday's ride home wiped me out! I did think of your experience with the cold water, so I refrained from jumping straight in the cold shower when I got home. I didn't overheat, but I just couldn't move when I got home. Fell asleep at 9:30, felt like I weighed 500 lbs. Better today, but I decided not to bike. I tend to forget that I ain't 20 anymore.

truman

I've got my time going from "rider on bike" status to "bike on hanger, rider in pool" down to about 45 seconds. Of course, the pool's pushing 88°, so the refreshment quotient is down a bit for the nonce.