Man. It's 2:00 PM in Phoenix, and the temperature is 88F. Summer's comin'!

I'm usually okay for the first couple of months ( May - June). As the temps creep up above 105/110F in the afternoons,though, I start to wimp out. This summer I'd like to get all the way through.

I plan on the usual early morning rides, leaving home around 5:30 AM, and then leaving work around 5:00 PM. (I work a ten-hour day in the summer.) This at least has me leaving when the heat is on the decline, though it's usually pretty brutal. I'm also planning on keeping a batch of carb/electrolyte drink in the refrigerator to help revive me when I get home.

How do the rest of you desert dwellers handle your commutes in the summer?

We're not quite as hot as the Valley of the Sun, but it's close. Not that unusual to leave work at 5:30 pm and have it 105F. My strategy is to keep both bottles full: one water, one half-strength gatorade. Wear sunscreen. And find out where the shade and public water fountains are in case you need a break.

How long is your commute? That may be key. Mine is only 9mi each way and made it through last summer fine, enjoyable even. Of course last summer was mild in comparision to what is typical (high was only 115., maybe a few days at 118 or so if I remember right, but not those weeks on end of 118+) Of course the air above the pavement surrounded by cars is much hotter.

I leave from home about 6:45am and from work about 5pm or so. One 24oz. bottle of plain water worked, usually finished a mile or so from home. I made sure I kept hydrated at work and after getting home.

Once moving at speed the dry heat is not so bad, but sitting a stoplights can be hot.

I use SPD sandals which keep the feet cool.

Al

Doesn't the sunscreen just sweat off? I'm a new bike commuter (started this winter), but I'm not sure I'll be able to stick with it this summer. I don't dig the heat and UV rays.

Sunscreens have gotten a lot better recently. Personally, I like Coppertone Sport, which seems less greasy than some others. There's Bull Frog, which is super water and sweat-proof, but you practically need a scotch-brite pad to scrub it off.

My commute is 14 miles. Mornings are great in the summer; it's the afternoons I've come to dread. I've switched to sandals, and now I have a bike that I am very comfortable on, which has not always been the case. Plus, I'm in better shape because I've been doing it daily, instead three days a week. All in all, I think I'm ready for it, but I'll be sad to see these spring days gone.

I think those extra 5mi (14 vs. 9) would make a big difference in the summer afternoon heat. I spend a good amount of time cooling off after 9mi, not riding another 5!

I love the weather right now, not only the warmth, but the smell of orange blossoms and other flowers. I can't wait to ride home every day.

In regard to the summer eat, I'll take it any day over those cold (for your notherners its relative ) dark morning commutes of the winter.

Al

My commute is in the east LA area from S El Monte to Covina. 100ºF and over in the summer is not unusual.

I'm sure to tank up on water during the day, and just before the ride home. My commute is about an hour so I carry a water bottle for red light refreshment. I keep water in my truck for when I finish my ride (I drive the sesond half of my commute in air conditioned comfort).

Even though I'm fair-skinned, I don't use sunscreen. I sweat off most sunscreens, and I find the really greasy ones make me overheat.

Actually, those hot weather rides are not bad, once I get used to them!

When I saw the title of the thread, I knew I'd see Caloso on here. So for me, what he said.

Water and lots of it.
I'll buy a longsleeve shirt for riding this summer, skin care.
Lots of riding before everyday is blistering will really help.
I found a sunscreen at Trader Joe's that doesn't sweat off my face and into my eyes causing hell like conditions. It's SPF50.

I commuted 40 miles (roundtrip) a day last year through Tempe and Mesa all summer (and the rest of the year too). Most days were not a problem if I just had two water bottles (one frozen). On the especially hot days I would soak my jersey and ride it until dry, then stop at a park and re-soak it. I found with this method I could get up to 115 degrees and above for an hour and a half and be ok. Another thing is to slow down a bit when they have heat advisories as overdoing it can get you in trouble on hot days. Incidentally a soaked jersey will dry out in 10 - 20 minutes of riding on hot days. My one way commute is longer now so my evening commute is just 4 miles over to my father in-laws place of employment to get a ride home so this summer I won't have to do that much heat riding.