mpath

Heading to Vegas for a conference for a week. Had originally thought of bringing my bike to ride to Hoover Dam or Red Rock Canyon on the weekend. But temps hovering +110F. Should I even bother? I've never ridden in those temps before.

seedsbelize 

I personally wouldn't ride in those temps, though I ride regularly in mid nineties and high humidity. The problem I see is staying hydrated in that dry heat.

caloso

We visited LV for a week last year this time and highs were 110F (what is that in C? Like 44?) I rode every day on the Red Rock highway but went super early, like 5:30 am. If you can get yourself out on the road at dawn, it shouldn't be too bad.

Take lots of water (two on the bike, one in the jersey). Super low humidity (<10% RH) so you won't notice how much you're sweating.
There's water at Red Rock. I think it's $3 admission for a bike (check the website).

brianmcg123

If you're in Vegas and can still ride your bike during the day...you're doing it wrong.

FBinNY 

While it can be hot in Vegas, it's dry so it's different than what most of are used to. That's a double edged sword, because the combination of wind and dryness makes your bodies cooling system efficient.

The flip side, is that you use large quantities of water to stay cool, but don't get then usual cues like sweat in your eyes or the sense of sweating overall. That means the effects of the heat can sneak up on you, and you go from feeling fine so severely dehydrated in short order.

If you're going to ride out there, ride early, carry (or buy) plenty of water, and take supplements to replace electrolytes. Then try to stay extremely self aware of your condition because you won't get the usual cues.

exmechanic89

I'd do it but yeah, get ready for some blazing temps. 110 and up is really something you have to behold.

LesterOfPuppets

I advise finishing rides before 8am or starting them after midnight. Plan on one litre of water per hour.

chucktait

I live in Vegas, and according to SIRI, it's 112*F right now. It is very hot and dry. For the last week or so, I've been going out around 4AM and coming back around 6AM. Even if you're planning on doing your ride in middle of night, bring lots and lots of water. The air is dry, and it will suck the water out of your body.

Scarbo

It's up to you but it won't be a pleasant ride unless you really LOVE the heat.

It's hot everywhere this week: Sacramento 105 degrees; Reno 100 degrees. I've taken to riding really early in the day.

BluFalconActual

I live on the CA side of the desert in 29 Palms. It was 111 during my afternoon ride and is now at 115. It's doable, but I limited myself to 20 miles because I was already running low on water. I kept an eye on my heart rate and just went easy. I highly recommend just getting up like at 5 am while its still in the 80s or 90s and go.

mpath

Wow. Thanks guys. Staying alive is at the top of my list. Then enjoying the ride, and seeing the scenery.

DrIsotope

Vegas in the summer never cools down-- the temps will hover in the mid-90s all through the night. You don't want to be on the road more than an hour or so after sunrise-- and not just because the heat is unmanageable, but the logistics of staying hydrated is almost impossible. We get nearly as hot here in the summer (usually a few days north of 110º) and rides that stray too close to noon end up more like a series of water stops with short cycling intervals in between. I've done eight 25oz bottles in 60 miles.

drewguy

Well, it seems like a good way to end the night . . . the Strip until sunrise, then a quick ride, and then to bed.

Nomadicone

I live in the Arizona desert and ride very early and only for about an hour or so with lots of water. I typically go through almost 64 oz of water in an hour. This morning it was 97 at dawn and tomorrow is supposed to be a high of 120. If you're not used to it it's even more difficult.

saint mucus

I live in Lake Havasu City AZ and it's crazy hot here but I still got 268 miles in last week. Took advantage of an unusually cool Monday, road 118 miles, the rest on my rides I started right at daylight and road about 40 miles, got home before the heat set in.

mjrLV

Don't believe anyone that says it's ok, because it's "dry heat."

Just use the hotel gym.

98F here now and it's 9pm.

diphthong

in extreme temps like that in exactly that region, i've had pretty good success with pre-soaking an entire
jersey, undershirt and bandana (or cycling cap) along with pre-hydrating well two days before. i'll take along
at least two larger bottles and usually affix the two bottle holder that attaches to the saddle and goes behind the saddle.
so that's 4 bottles with a wet jersey, undershirt and cap along with prehydration. it's worked for temps up to 115 for
2 hrs. if you can get out in the morning, it'll work better/longer.

Garfield Cat

Red Rock is a National Park. that means if you have a Senior National Park pass, then its free admissions.

Garfield Cat

Death Valley was 125 Monday.

Excessive Heat Warning
California
4 hours ago – National Weather Service
Highs 112-117 for the Las Vegas Valley and other lower desert areas, 120-127 for Death Valley, 112-122 along the Colorado River Valley ... lows in the mid 80s to lower 90s ...

diphthong

i was under the impression that both red rocks and semi-nearby valley of fire were both nv state parks.

robbyville

I live in Palm Desert, our temps are about 5-10 degrees warmer than LV, but I go out there every few weeks for work. I always plan to bring my bike but it seems like the local clubs go out later than I would like, probably different in the summer.

We're forecasted for 122 here today. We ride at 6am, this morning it was 87 when I went out but similar to LV it's pretty dry. I'm not a fan of riding in the dark but 5:30 am would be beautiful in Vegas I would think!

12strings

I rode visiting relatives in Bakersfield, CA a few years ago. It was mid-morning, and well above 100, but it was still enjoyable. I would say just take lots of water, and don't plan on any super long rides. Go ride 10, 15, or 20 miles (without leaving civilization, for safety) see how you feel, see how your water supply does, and decide if going longer the next day is wise.

noodle soup

I used to live in that area, and currently live NW of Phoenix. If you have never ridden in extreme heat, I would not recommend trying it now.

I ride everyday, and the body gets used to high heat over time, but your body won't have time to adapt.

dirtydozen

Atm it is 36C in the afternoon in a place we aren't used to at all

I did one ride, it was horrible. So next day i went to ride in the morning but by the end of my ride it was already way too hot for me.

Now i'm gonna try after 8/9pm we'll see

caloso

Valley of Fire is bigger and much more impressive than Red Rock, but I doubt you'd want to ride out there on your bike.