melinda923

Hi Everyone,

I’m really wanting to ride my bike to work but it’s about a 13.5 mile ride one way in the Arizona heat, the mornings I know won’t be that bad but I’m dreading the ride home when it’s 110 degrees out. I’m wondering how other commuters ride in the heat. How far is your commute? Do you get to work drenched in sweat? If so how do you clean up? How much water do you take, what do you wear? Do you coat yourself in sunscreen or wear long sleeves to protect from the sun? Etc…..

Thanks!

referee54

Definitely use sun screen especially on my ears---i superhydrate myself before I get on the bike,and take two water bottles full of basically a slush mixture---I use the ice machine at school where I teach.

Mornings here in the Buckeye state aren't so bad, but it does get buggy and muggy---i shower and use the coaches' office to change in...and to sit in to cool off.

Take your time, and, if you need a small break, take one. Do not be in a hurry, and keep yourself hydrated, too.

Very good sunglasses help, too. I am old school; I wear Oakley M-Frames, as they fit behind my unpire's masks, and I believe that a good pair of sunglasses helps you out, psychologically, too.
Tim C.

rando

welcome to the wacky world of cycling in AZ summers! TAKE LOTS OF ICE WATER. I have two bottles for my 5.5 mile one way trip. also, take it easy. it's a commute, not a race. take advantage of shade wherever you can get it.

I try to drink lots of water before I leave home and work. that helps. I usually just wear shrts and T-shirt, but bike shorts and stuff like that might be cooler, I've never used them. My head is usually a little sweaty when I get there, but I wash off in the sink, dry with paper towels and then sit in front of a table fan for 15-20 minand that cools me off fine. I don't use sunscreen but it's probably a great idea.

Chuck G

In central NC we get plenty of humid days in the 90s (some over 100). My commute is 10 miles. I start drinking water maybe an hour or two before I ride home. I wear a wet coolmax dew rag under my helmet and I don't push my self too hard on the ride home. On really hot days I carry 2 water bottles, one to drink and one for squirting on the front of my jersey to keep me cool. I am going to start wearing sunscreen on the ride home.

blankgen

That's a big one for me. I actually change my route up a bit in hot weather to take advantage of shadier tree lined streets.

huhenio

Shower before you get on the bike.

Get one of those triathlete's towels.

Sunscreen ... it is readily available.

Long sleeves are good ... so long thighs or rock climber pants.

breadgeek

2 miles; to work I do not sweat as it is all downhill, but from work to home is uphill, so I heat up.

I also located the shady streets to keep cool, but the suburbs outside of my immediate commuting area lack trees altogether, so I just do rec rides where there is at least some shade.

ricohman

I wish I had some heat.
Just above freezing this morning.

Pockymonster

You could try drenching your jersey in cold water before heading out. It will provide a cooling effect without you having to sweat it all out. I mean if you're gonna get wet anyway from sweat you might as well start wet and save yourself the trouble of sweating it out.

skynet

Wow, 13.5 miles is a good bit. My commute is 4 miles. If you do not want to sweat too much, maybe you can invest in a good electric bike. Some of the hub conversion kits will allow you to keep pace at 20mph. Less effort on your part, so less sweat.

Hickeydog

fixed

Speed_Racer

I wear a long sleeve bicycle jersey, baggy shorts, and a pith helmet. I usually wear this combo all the time until the sun comes down, then I would take off the pith helmet and wear a visor. The pith helmet I got is the French style pith. Other then that I just try to hydrate with lots of water. https://www.villagehatshop.com/french_pith_helmet_.html

kenaroni

Melinda, your commute distance is about the same as mine. It gets awful hot & humid where I am in the southeast, but I can't imagine riding in Arizona heat. I hope you're riding home after the sun has started to go down some?

Gotta have cold water along the way. I love my old Camelback water pack. It's a little more fuss. Even the best refrigerated bottles heat up after about 20 minutes on your bike. I used to pre-freeze one of my water bottles, but you can only fill it about 3/4 full, or else it will expand and crack in the freezer. Camelback packs and their imitators are pretty cheap these days - a good investment.

Sweat wicking clothes are a necessity, and are like wearing air conditioning, because they evaporate so fast. I can't afford those 40 dollar bike jerseys, so I just buy less expensive athletic shirts on sale at the department store.

pinkpowa

At least with the low humidity in AZ, when you sweat it actually can cool you down. Here in FL, it's so humid you'll sweat and sweat and still be hot. Ice water is the way to go though: I fill the bottle completely up with ice and then top it off with water. Two bottles are better than one. Drink early, drink often.

SingingSabre 

I ride 13.7 (to be exact!) miles each way for work in Tucson. Some days I start at 1:30PM...I still ride those days.

Basically, bring as many water bottles as you can. Fill 'em with ice and then water.

I ride with as little clothing as possible, usually just bike shorts.

Take it easy riding in the heat at first, until you figure out just how much you can take.

nashcommguy

40mi rt daily. While it doesn't get to 110 here in md Tn it does get to 100 for several days in August and 90 from June onward. Take 2 bottles(28 oz ea) on the bike and drink AT LEAST 12-16 oz of water bf you leave in the morn. In the PM drink 12-20 oz of Gatorade(I buy it in bulk...saves a TON of money) and carry 2 bottles(28 oz ea). That's plenty to get you through. Sunscreen as needed. Wear a white helmet and light colored bandana that I dampen. Padded cycling shorts and light colored cycling shirts w/polypro socks. I change EVERYTHING upon arrival at work. Shoes, socks...everything. My cycling clothes are hung on small hangers in my locker(s). Everything's dry for the ride home. Use Tinactin for shoes and shorts. Suggestion(s) to dampen your shirt, shorts is a good one. The main thing is to not bike in your work clothes or work in ANY of your bike clothes...not even your socks. Drink a few glasses of water during the day and don't have pizza for lunch as it's loaded w/salt and will lead to dehydration. Not good.

Have been using this system for alot of years. You may want to carry 3 bottles in AZ, though. Hope this has been helpful.

BTW, I work in a warehouse loading and un-loading trailors by hand, so I've learned a little about STAYING hydrated over the years. THAT'S important. The warehouse is AC'ed, the trailors aren't.

azroadposer

+1
This is my third summer commuting 8 miles one way in Chandler. I've done the paper towel thing, it works. If showers aren't provided at work try using a fitness club. I use bike shorts and a high visibility bike shirt.

water is the key, it is a nice ride when hydrated even at 116F

TRUMPHENT

Okay, here goes. I wear microfibre shirt and lycra shorts. Spd pedals and sandals, helmet and glove while commuting.

Know that you are going to sweat and manage it. I'm from South Florida and at 8:00 AM I am sweating by just stepping out the front door, 11 miles to go.

Recon the possible routes on days off first. You don't want to jeopardize your attendance record learning a route to work. You will also know how long and how difficult or, easy it is.

Do not overheat:.
This is really important. Keep moving even if very slowly whenever possible. Even a slight breeze is going to have evaporative cooling working in your favor. You are young and if in good physical condition and acclimated to climate, you should have no problems.

Disaster planning:

Have one! Have extra innertubes and the expertise to change out quickly and resume the ride. We all do it and so can you. Know how to abandon the commute and still get to work on time if something insurmountable happens, anywhere along the route. I think you are in Goathead thorn area. Speak to other biking locals about this potential hazard. It's serious where infestations occur.

Look up Machka!

She is from and in Canada. She, I believe has been to France, not once but twice to ride in the Paris Brest Paris Randonee and is on this very forum frequently. She is really helpful when asked.

I hope this helpful in presenting subjects not covered or emphasized by the other posts.

VinoHrdTailComm

Simplest Ways of Reducing heat Without Going Electric As Previously Mentioned Would Be Decreasing Weight,Making Sure Drivetrain is ALWAYS CLeaned and Lubed, and Not taking In Lots Of Caffeine or Salt as Salt Dehydrates and Caffeine Raises Heart rate and Dehydrates. Those Are About 15$ At Most(Drivetrain Oil,Rags,Maybea Chain Breaker) and Can Be Done Without Breaking Your Account.

JAG410

100oz camelbak, 3/4 full of ice, with water and 2 tabs of camelbak lemon lime elixir. This will be nearly empty by the time I get home (17 miles). I also use a water bottle full of ice (it melts fast!) for neck/back sprays at stop lights if need be. Sunscreen is a must! I use the baggy duodry wicking shirts ($9.99 at Target) in bright colors and baggy MTB shorts.

My route is either on or within 1/2 mile of the bus route at all times, just in case. Learn the symptoms of heat stroke and even if you're close to home and feeling sick, stop and find another way home or wait somewhere and cool down. Don't push yourself too hard when it's hot, and just think of how awesome bike commuting will be in November

Bolo Grubb

I commute about 12 miles one way in Tucson, Az. Lot of good advice here. Also you just simply get used to it. It always feels hot in the summer but it will not affect you as much as it does now once you get more used to it. Drink lots of water during the day.

I use polar bottles and they do help a bit but even with them the water is often warm 30 to 40 minutes into the commute. Max chill bottles are pretty good too. They come with a sleeve that you soak with water and it cools the water inside the bottle as the sleeves evaporates and dries. So if you have a spot along the way you can resoak the outside it can work a bit better then the polar bottles. Of course you could do the same with a sock around what ever water bottle you have.

tomg

i have a 11 mile commute, each way, that is most direct too!
i have "self contained touring set-up" of handlebar bag, front and rear panniers, and a rack-pack each filled so i have significant load. ride takes from 35 to 45 minutes, each way.
i pack breakfast and lunch, office equiptment, toiletries, work clothes, cloths to go to the gym, tools, work and riding rain gear. i don't pack a stove/tent/sleepbag (save that for another journey)!
when it's been hot, i SLOW-DOWN, drink extra water, and apply sweat proof sun-screen (always helmeted, sungasses).
same as jag410 above, i have a bus route to use (plan B) and other options available!
be safe!

goalieMN

Two bottles, and a shower when I get to work. When I get home, I usually walk over to the lake and swim a mile or so. It's one of the benefits of training for an ironman triathlon: a nice after-ride home swim.

tomg

shower at work? wow!!

we had a shower where i work, now it's my boss's office after renovation. i'm thankful for efficient a/c and running water in bathroom there, both assist in melt-down prevention!

i asked a co-worker the other day about if i was maloderous, he stated "no" and would let me know otherwise. i tried to use faucet outside outlets (with bathing suit/soap) but system diverted to automatic lawn sprinkler set-up. sprinkler's have compled their cycle at my arrival.

at days end, we have a cedarwater river 1/5 mile from home, a cooling place to visit after commute.

referee54

One nice thing about teaching at a high school; we have locker rooms, coaches' offices, and showers. I keep much of my stuff there and shower after I ride in, if need be. (I only ride about 4 miles, one way.)

Tim C.