Colorado Kid

It's been around 93F here in South Central PA for a few days. I'm drinking a lot but the heat is starting to get to me. Any ideas to put up with the heat?

calyth

Cold shower before you head out?
If you wear jersey, unzip a bit?
Don't wear cotton though.

It's getting warm too, but generally I don't notice until I stop.

Rogan

Move to Florida and become acclimated to that type of heat and high humidity 4 ~ 5 months out of the year ? It is 9:15PM and the temp is 83.5° with 60% humidity right now. I ride in 90° + heat seven days a week this time of year. You get used to it.

Bluish Green

Light clothing (wicking polyester athletic shirts and shorts are better, cotton is not great; find what works for you)

Take a plastic soda bottle you have used and freeze water in it prior to the ride. If you freeze a half-full bottle on its side, you can add cold water just prior to the ride and have cold water along for 30+ minutes, as the ice melts in the heat

Sandals as footgear can keep your feet cooler, if your cycling approach would allow sandals

Stay cool and keep riding!

zacster

The subway, although the platforms are even hotter than the streets. The trains are all air-conditioned now.

wsgts

Slow down, commuting isn't a race... You end up creating most of the heat, don't be afraid to drip some water on your head..

JoeyBike

Ice!

Get or make an insulated water bottle. Fill with ice cubes, then water. When you start feeling the heat, fill your mouth about half full of ice water and hold it there for 30 seconds, then swallow a tiny bit at a time to cool inside your throat. Mouth and throat are loaded with blood vessels that will cool a large part of your upper body, neck, and head. Wait five minutes. Repeat. If you run out of ice water, add another bottle to your collection, only freeze this one overnight and save for last.

Wear a hat or helmet to shade your scalp and head. Radiating sun heats you up like the surface of Mercury. I wear full zip bike jerseys made of very light fabric, or very light long sleeve dress shirts from Goodwill. Cotton will stay damp but is much cooler than synthetics. I never button or zip a shirt or jersey at all June through September in South Louisiana. Like riding under a shade tarp. Try to avoid backpacks.

Spend time in the heat other than on your bike. Stay acclimated to the heat as much as possible this way.

spivonious

Yeah, it's been hot. Drink lots of fluids, get plenty of rest, and eat lots of carbs and protein. Also, these shirts: https://www.target.com/p/c9-by-champi...m_1_49&term=c9 have made a huge difference in how hot I am when I get to work.

jiggity

long tube sock filled with ice draped over your neck

Bluish Green

I use those C9 shirts too. They are great. And the Fireball Orange color is rip-your-eyes out bright fluorescent - perfect for visibility in traffic.

Leebo

^^^ Or a bandana rolled up with ice in it around your neck. I like to take a lake swim 1/2 way home sometimes.

spivonious

Yeah, I have the yellow and green. The green is the same color as the construction vest I got from Home Depot.

arex

What's wrong with cotton shirts? I thought cotton was supposed to be cooler.

demoncyclist

Cotton gets wet with sweat and stays wet (and smells). Wicking fabrics move the moisture away from your skin where it evaporates. The evaporative effect can actually keep you cooler, and you don't smell like wet dog when you reach your destination.

AstroEng

It's been 100°F + for a couple days here in the past couple weeks. I got a polyester jersey (on sale at Performance Bike if you are interested) and it has made a big difference. The only time I really feel hot on the way home now is when I stop. I guess the moisture wicking is doing its job - I am dry as a bone on the bike and sopping wet when I stop at home. I also got lycra shorts which helped with keeping cool/dry below the waistline...

102°F high predicted for tomorrow - Oh boy!

PatrickGSR94

Hot here as well. Like others I really only feel the heat when stopped, or when going slowly while climbing hills. And we have some big hills here, sometimes I can only manage ~7 MPH going up them.

My biggest problem I've had lately is sweat from my head dripping down my face, into my eyes, and behind my clear safety glasses. I'm not sure if a simple bandanna or "do-rag" under my helmet would do much for me. I'm thinking about getting one of those Sweat Gutr contraptions to send the sweat from my forehead around and down the sides of my face.

AstroEng

Also, you could try one of these:

https://www.commutebybike.com/2013/06...d-keep-riding/

Walter S

Turn up the thermostat on your AC at home. I keep mine on 80. It feels cool when I get home in the 90s. Being used to warm air makes you shed heat more efficiently.

cobrabyte

Slow down. I live in FL and my commute during the hot months usually takes 30-50% longer. Just leave home a little earlier to acount for the slower speed.

caloso

Keep moving, keep drinking.

arex

...I smell like a dog, regardless.

AusTexMurf

Keep moving, keep drinking, keep acclimated to the heat all of the time, best as possible.
100+ last 2 days and next several, here.

Seattle Forrest

It's been in the '60s and sometimes as hot as the mid '70s here.

gyozadude

Sorry, no advice here. I'm in the Bay Area. Currently 79F, 82F max about an hour ago. 58% humidity (a bit muggy for us... should dry up tomorrow and get a little warmer). It's about 60F over night and cool. My office is A/C'ed and the lab is freezing with all the servers and storage we got there. Free sodas, ice water, iced tea in the fridges on each floor. Showers on each floor too, for those of us who get a little too ripe after our rides. If you find a gig like that, work hard to keep it!

InTheRain

Yep.. it's brutal here, too. 69 degrees at 5:00 pm. Our time to enjoy... we pay for it all winter/spring with cool, wet weather.