thatguy512

Cycling shorts and a short sleeve jersey right?(Compression shirt that wicks away sweat in my case.)What about socks?Anything else that can keep me cool in heat?

These shorts feel comfortable but i feel weird wearing them
Thats normal for first time right? haha

bradtx

Yes, that's normal. There's really nothing that's going to help keep any Texans cool, or cooler right now. Be sure to have plenty of fluids and read up on the symptoms of heat stroke and heat exaustion.

Brad

xrayzebra 

Dump a bottle of water over yourself, and let it evaporate. Wear a nice wet rag like a scarf over the back of your neck.

thatguy512

any good cheap shorts or jerseys?i just realized i dont have pockets and my compression shirt isnt a jersey with pockets

CbadRider

Performance Bike has some nice shorts and jerseys that are inexpensive. Or check to see if your LBS has some on sale.

If you don't want a jersey with pockets, consider getting a seat bag or bento box to hold your stuff.

thatguy512

yeah i already have a seatbag but i'd like a jersey with pockets

BlueRaleigh

Wear sunscreen, light wicking clothing, and a Camelbak. Austin heat is the dry heat so sunscreen and staying hydrated are most important.

I miss Austin--great city. Have a good ride.

thatguy512

i have a camelbak but i dont wana get flamed for wearing one haha
rules 34 haha

thatguy512

any thoughts on canari shorts?

BlueRaleigh

Yeah, a rule list that long is stupid.

Rules:
*Ride
*Have fun
*Don't die of heat stroke

thatguy512

+1

twinquad

My brother in Austin just packed up his family for 2 weeks in Colorado. But if escape isn't an option...

Clothing choice should be about priority #8. First five are water. Next couple are sunscreen. Best clothes are tight-fitting, wicking material.

TromboneAl

What about these wicking base layers that I've seen advertised for heat? For example, "The Pearl Izumi Transfer Lite Baselayer sleeveless top keeps you cool when you need it most. ") It seemed like marketing BS to me, but I did notice that some TDF riders had "undershirts" on even when it was hot.

stapfam

I always wear a base layer- Summer one is a thin "aertex" type material and it wicks moisture away far quicker under even a quality cycling jersey than just the jersey.

I would never recommend Cotton but if it is that hot- perhaps the downdide of a cotton "T" would work. Cotton holds onto moisture longer than a wicking material and air running through cotton would get cool. Found this out many years ago before I got onto the base layers by wearing a cotton vest. That was one cold ride.

billydonn

Great advice...

tagaproject6

Works well. Just avoid the gel shorts.
If you are on a tight budget try love2pedal.com or aerotech designs.com. They have excellent shorts for those on a budget.

And a few more things, no undies with bike shorts and make sure to wash them after every use. The question will inevitably come up

*Ignore the stupid rules, they are made to make fun of the noobs and to be followed by those who do not have the capacity to think for themselves.

Don in Austin

I am in Austin also. I do my flat-out, trying to beat my best time, ride (15 miles) into work leaving the house at 5:50 AM. I live off of Circle Drive past the "Y" in Oak Hill and my shop is south central Austin -- South First a few blocks north of Oltorf. The ride in is an invigorating blast! The ride home leaving the shop about 7:00 sucks donkey balls. I don't even worry about how long it takes or how slow I am --its the price I pay for the morning thrill.

Oh yeah....I wear levi shorts, a cotton t-shirt and steel-toed work shoes. My clothes are drenched at the end of the ride both in and out.

I get real tired of my personal trainer and my wife nagging me about "Drink plenty of water in this heat!" I remind them that I raced 1/4 mile dirt track stock cars for 14 years. Try sitting in a totally uninsulated race car with bare metal floors, headers dumping exhaust directly under you, wearing a triple layer quilted firesuit, a REAL helmet, foam anti-whiplash neck collar and fire resistant gloves. Never got heat stroke from that, so I guess I know enough to drink adequate water!

You are right -- the current heat is getting tiresome!

Don in Austin

StephenH

Try the Ice Sock. Get the biggest-size longest tube socks you can find. Fill one full of ice, really cram it in. Tie a knot in the end (or close it off with a rubber band, I've heard also). Drape it around your neck. Works great for maybe 10 miles. If you ice down two water bottles, a camelbak, and an ice sock, you can pretty much go through a bag of ice. Put the extra in your jersey pockets.