bdcheung

Any advice (other than bring more water) for training when it's 99 degrees out and 60%+ humidity? Or would I get a higher quality workout indoors on the trainer?

c4s6

Decrease your expectations. A considerable amount of your cardiovascular capacity is going to be spent keeping you "cool".

Use a heart rate monitor and drink when your pulse is inconsistent with your perceived exertion.

92degrees

Same weather here today. Did 90min of light work yesterday and will probably just do recovery today.

bdcheung

Is there any truth in the thought that more blood flow will be going to the skin, and therefore less to the muscles, in an effort to control body temperature?

UT_Dude

I train in Texas, and thus high temperatures regularly. Just bring lots of water, and be prepared to suffer.

You eventually get used to it, and it's not too bad.

YMCA

Stay outside. Indoors is for too cold, not for too hot. Drink water and regulate your efforts better. Nobody does well in heat like that, but you can limit your problems with few tricks. Here in Florida, we deal with that stuff for 5 months straight without a break. Yet I see more people riding during the summer months, than I do all those perfectly cool Florida winter months.

Bobby Lex

I once heard a guy say that he pops a couple of Tylenol before a race in hot weather. His logic is that it reduces fever so it should keep him cooler during the race.

I'd be interested in hearing from Dr. Pete and our other qualified board members about whether this makes sense.

Bob

waterrockets 

+1 Just get out in it. If you can train the same time of day as you race, all the better. It's good to go out every so often at the hottest time of day. You get used to it and every part of your life gets a tiny bit easier -- yard work, walking through parking lots, etc.

Train in the rain, wind, and snow too. I'm happy to be outside year-round, even when it was 5 below in Colorado, because I trained in that weather.

I'll never ride another trainer. I unloaded my rollers on Craigslist, and I'm done with it.

ericcox

I also ride in Texas in the summer. I don't find riding in the heat so bad -- I would rather be riding in it than standing in it. Just drink plenty of water before, during and after the ride. As I say to the people in my office who can't believe I commute in the heat, it's like riding in a convertible with the top down.

Of course this summer has been all about the rain so far.

UT_Dude

Yeah, wind moving past you cools you off.

+1 to the no trainer riding.... I have one still, but just for race warmups. I've ridden it once since last year...there was a pretty intense thunderstorm and I didn't feel like chancing it. I HATE riding the trainer, though.

timmhaan

no trainer rides for me either. i use mine for things like adjusting the derailleur, or trying out new pedals, stems, or whatever changes i make to the bike between rides.

MDcatV

Hydrate, use a sports drink ... use common sense if you're suspecting heat related sickness, back off. Alternatively, ride in the early a.m. when it's beautiful outside. I wouldnt use the trainer when there's sufficient daylight to train outside, unless it's t-storming.

UT_Dude

Buy a bike stand . If you do your own maintenance, it'll be one of the best $100 you've ever spent.

daytonian

I just seriously got nausea thinking of riding my rollers during warm weather. If you race in the Summer you don't chose the temperature so be ready for heat.

bvfrompc

Get up early in the morning.

curiouskid55

Train in the heat, wear black. Get so used to it you love it. Drink lots.

minivandriveby

That's the zaniest thing I've read all day. I definitely would not recommend it since it is a no-no for treatment of heat exhaustion. It does lower your pain threshold so that may be an advantage for him, but it doesn't make him "cooler".

As for the heat. I love it. The only thing I would be mindful of is air quality levels. I don't want to inhale the equivalent of a carton of Marlboros while I'm out "getting healthier". Hotter days typically have crappier air.

c4s6

Yes, why do you suppose us caucasians get red when we're hot? I'm not being racist, I just don't know about other races, for the political correctness police.

Lithuania

just think of guys like me that can only ride the trainer and go outside instead.

NoRacer

Here's some articles Googled regarding "Pre-cooling":

Google: Keywords = cooling vests endurance sports