How hot is too hot?
#51
Dept. store bike bandit
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 329
Likes: 0
...seriously?
If it will make you feel better, I'll let you win this internet argument you seem to be perpetuating over...temperature. Really? Clearly you know what the temperature is wherever I happen to be from 800 miles away with your fancy google machine and reading skills, while I, a simple local resident with a thermometer, don't. I should have known better than to go against such a distant expert of my hometown.
In all seriousness, let it go. I live here, you don't. Just because the temperature reads one thing at the airport (where the temp station likely is) does not mean it's the same way all over the city. If my thermometer peaks over 90 degrees consistently every summer day, then it DOES. I'm not saying this to stroke my own ego.
Congratulations for being ultra-mature and trying to consistently one-up me over the temperature. You just proved my original point further, that it's HOT in the southeast. In some areas more than others.
This has to be one of the most pointless discussions I've ever had on the internet. Please, just let it go. If you don't, I will because this is just silly.
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If it will make you feel better, I'll let you win this internet argument you seem to be perpetuating over...temperature. Really? Clearly you know what the temperature is wherever I happen to be from 800 miles away with your fancy google machine and reading skills, while I, a simple local resident with a thermometer, don't. I should have known better than to go against such a distant expert of my hometown.
In all seriousness, let it go. I live here, you don't. Just because the temperature reads one thing at the airport (where the temp station likely is) does not mean it's the same way all over the city. If my thermometer peaks over 90 degrees consistently every summer day, then it DOES. I'm not saying this to stroke my own ego.
Congratulations for being ultra-mature and trying to consistently one-up me over the temperature. You just proved my original point further, that it's HOT in the southeast. In some areas more than others.
This has to be one of the most pointless discussions I've ever had on the internet. Please, just let it go. If you don't, I will because this is just silly.
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#53
Godbotherer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,255
Likes: 0
From: Hermitage, TN
Bikes: 1986 Cannondale SR300 (full SRAM Apex) 1996 Cannondale R800 (Full SRAM Rival), 1997 Cannondale R200 (Shimano Tiagra), 2012 Cannondale CAAD 10-5, 1992 Bridgestone RB-1 (SRAM Force)
It's not the temp that gets ya. . its the heat index. There's a huge difference riding in 88 with a heat index of 10 (MS is the WORST) and riding in 98 with a heat index of 0.
#54
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 113
Likes: 1
From: Tucson
Bikes: 01 Specialized Rockhopper A1 and 07 Felt Z80 05 Canondale Prophet
Southern AZ heat, I rode home in 100 degrees last week. It's 91 right now and I finished my first century at 105 degrees, in August..
Not a lot of fun, but not that bad.. Again, just need to be used to it.. Hydrate well before, during, and after.
BTW did I mention to hydrate?
Not a lot of fun, but not that bad.. Again, just need to be used to it.. Hydrate well before, during, and after.
BTW did I mention to hydrate?
#55
Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Athens, ohio
I did a 45 mile ride on memorial day.
Headed out about 8:30am and it wasn't too bad but by noon the temps were in the mid 90s.
The last 10-12 miles were nearly devoid of shade and it damn near killed me.
I drank a 100oz camelbak and a 28oz bike bottle over the whole ride.
This equates to exactly a gallon of water.
I actually ran out of water about a mile before the end.
I will stick to 15-25 mile rides when its that hot.
I will save the 50+ mile rides for the fall.
However with that said I still commute about 10 miles each way when it is that hot.
I can do the short rides in 90+ heat, especially the morning part, but forget about the tours.
Headed out about 8:30am and it wasn't too bad but by noon the temps were in the mid 90s.
The last 10-12 miles were nearly devoid of shade and it damn near killed me.
I drank a 100oz camelbak and a 28oz bike bottle over the whole ride.
This equates to exactly a gallon of water.
I actually ran out of water about a mile before the end.
I will stick to 15-25 mile rides when its that hot.
I will save the 50+ mile rides for the fall.
However with that said I still commute about 10 miles each way when it is that hot.
I can do the short rides in 90+ heat, especially the morning part, but forget about the tours.
#56
Averages don't really tell the whole story and can be deceiving. The average high for July in Minneapolis is 84, - only a few degrees cooler than Atlanta at 88, but I'm guessing that July in Atlanta feels a whole lot hotter than July in Minneapolis.
#57
Arizona Dessert

Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 15,029
Likes: 2,170
From: AZ
Bikes: Cannondale SuperSix, Lemond Poprad. Retired: Jamis Sputnik, Centurion LeMans Fixed, Diamond Back ascent ex
For those that want to debate typical weather for an area this is a nice resource:
https://weatherspark.com/#!graphs;q=T...+United+States
https://weatherspark.com/#!graphs;q=T...+United+States
#58
Lurking Under a Rock
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 139
Likes: 2
From: Golden, CO
having lived in chandler arizona, new orleans and houston....i will ride in any temp anytime. the hottest southern louisiana day will be hotter than the hottest houston day which will be hotter than the hottest east valley phoenix day. just my experience. averages be what they may...
while i will sling a leg in any temp, this minnesota raised boy detests the heat very much so.
while i will sling a leg in any temp, this minnesota raised boy detests the heat very much so.
#60
Godbotherer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,255
Likes: 0
From: Hermitage, TN
Bikes: 1986 Cannondale SR300 (full SRAM Apex) 1996 Cannondale R800 (Full SRAM Rival), 1997 Cannondale R200 (Shimano Tiagra), 2012 Cannondale CAAD 10-5, 1992 Bridgestone RB-1 (SRAM Force)
Heat index is right around 1% right now. . . good time to go
#61
Banned
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,155
Likes: 5
From: Maryland
Bikes: rockhopper, delta V, cannondale H300, Marin Mill Valley
Maybe I should think before posting, but it was a little too hot for thinking last evening.

Right now at 7:30am, it's 77º and only expected to reach 93º (heat index of 100º). Excpectations have been exceeded the past few days though...
Last edited by qmsdc15; 06-01-11 at 05:38 AM.
#62
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,896
Likes: 7
From: Raleigh, NC
Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia
It got up to 96 F here yesterday with high humidity, and the same is expected today. It was so humid that my cycling shorts and jersey were drenched when I got to work in the morning and did not dry out hanging in my air-conditioned office all day from 7 am to 4:30 pm. This morning didn't feel quite as bad, but that might have been because I rode easier. I rode at 16.5 mph pace in yesterday morning but dialed it back to less than 15 mph on the ride home when the temp was in the mid-90s. No use getting a heat stroke.
My last 6 bike commutes have been on days when the high temperature topped 90 F with high humidity. This is August weather.
My last 6 bike commutes have been on days when the high temperature topped 90 F with high humidity. This is August weather.
#64
To keep this heat thing in perspective, these people don't even have the advantage of being on a bicycle...
https://www.badwater.com/
https://www.badwater.com/
#65
Descends like a rock
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 4,034
Likes: 16
From: Fort Worth, TX
Bikes: Scott Foil, Surly Pacer
#67
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 542
Likes: 1
From: California
Bikes: Trek 7.2 FX, Custom Vintage FG
I don't like over 100F. Last time I did 100+ on a metric, I ended up with mild heat exhaustion and spent a good 30 minutes in the shade of my bike. That sucked. 90's are my limit from now on.
#69
FrankTheCrank
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Alabama, sometime in the 1950's
Bikes: Surly LHT, Bilenky Tourlite Travel, Scattante 650
Humidty is a big factor. If you can't evaporate sweat, you have difficulty cooling. I wear long sleeve UnderArmour Heat Gear shirts which are fantastic at cooling you down more effectively than bare skin because the fabric wicks away moisture so efficiently. The long sleeves cool you through the wicking action and keep the sun off your arms.
I cheat when I can. I will stop at convenience stores and get a quart of loose ice and poor it down my bike pants or skin tight shirt. Very effective at keeping your core temperature down. The ice last for about 5-6 miles.
I cheat when I can. I will stop at convenience stores and get a quart of loose ice and poor it down my bike pants or skin tight shirt. Very effective at keeping your core temperature down. The ice last for about 5-6 miles.
#70
Banned
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,155
Likes: 5
From: Maryland
Bikes: rockhopper, delta V, cannondale H300, Marin Mill Valley
98º again today with high humidity. At the airport, not downtown where it was hotter than witches' spit.
You couldn't really have too much water today. A picture I took today.

And wear a washcloth on your head!
You can wear your helmet if you insist, but you will get heatstroke and die!
You couldn't really have too much water today. A picture I took today.

And wear a washcloth on your head!
You can wear your helmet if you insist, but you will get heatstroke and die!
Last edited by qmsdc15; 06-01-11 at 06:16 PM.
#72
Stealing Spokes since 82'
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,875
Likes: 0
From: Boy-z, Ideeeho
Bikes: The always reliable kuwie
I don't really have a limit, but will bring down recreational miles a bit, mostly because once it gets over 100f it becomes a pain in the ass to carry enough water.
#73
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 541
Likes: 0
I'll still ride in hot weather. generally I don't like it when it gets too hot. I tend to overheat and I have passed out, blacked out, gotten dizzy, fainted, etc.
I try to slow down when it gets hot. I can't think of any other way to cool down and I carry water with me all the time.
I try to slow down when it gets hot. I can't think of any other way to cool down and I carry water with me all the time.
#74
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 766
Likes: 0
From: Columbia, Maryland
Bikes: Trek 820 mtb, A no name red steel pipe bike, my commuter
I believe that air quality is the issue. If you have a compromised health condition, hot weather exercise can make the condition worse. All of the issues deal with air quality and the amount of bad particles in the air that we suck in. Like most cyclists, I don't know how to stop cycling, so I ride regardless of the temperature, but I do hate the air in traffic on hot days.
Last edited by fletchh; 06-02-11 at 04:47 AM. Reason: spelling
#75
If you have a long distance to go just remember that you're losing more than water in sweat. A sports drink before the ride and a diluted one during the ride can really help, especially if it's got some protein in it and not just carbs. A sports drink slushy before the ride is great idea too.
There are also safety vests, shirts, touring shorts, etc. that have pockets suitable for carrying ice packs.
Just being in good shape helps your body deal with excess heat.
There are also safety vests, shirts, touring shorts, etc. that have pockets suitable for carrying ice packs.
Just being in good shape helps your body deal with excess heat.




