I live in the tropics, just a few degrees of the equator, daytime temp. up to 35C in the shade, and 95% humidity.. here we ride early, or cover arms and legs to avoid the directly overhead sun.

Plenty of water and stops to cool down.. (at least for me.. the young uns just carry on..), shady true lined route are also preferred. But in the end its just hot... to an extent you get a little used to it, but here its all year so we have no autumn to look forward to..but no winter either...

I live in N Central Florida. It never gets cold, goes from nice to tolerable to Oh My Gawd. I really don't care if I were to never see another day above 70 in my life. One native told me you are going to be drenched if it's hot. I need airflow and hydration. I wear a bandanna no matter what, but leave it open on top when hot. I also pick shirts with good airflow. Find a path with some shade, and go out earlier or later if possible.

We haven't seen 70 degrees yet , close but no cigar - and now I'm expected to crank 42 miles and the temp may hit 80 or 81 !


So no tights only shorts, and a short sleeved jersey (if I can find one), and push fluids, rest in the shade, sunglasses, sunscreen. What else???

Finally someone who has my idea of hot. Except I live in Florida. ☹️

Don't try to beat the heat. Ride in the heat and adapt to it. You'll be a stronger rider for it. Wear the right clothes and drink lots of water. Monitor your HR. If it goes way up and doesn't come down when you stop, sit in the shade and drink water until it does. Pee every 3 hours. If you can't, stop and drink until you pee, then go on. Use electrolytes, for me 1-2 Endurolytes per bottle.

Neckerchief-- a commonly used accessory on bike tours...

Carry a lot of frozen water in an isolated ice bag. But take care that your water bottles don't freeze.

August in Texas. 105 after work. I drink a full Camelbak in an hour. I get acclimatized...eventually. Or, I ride before work, starting 30 min before dawn.

I agree, but I add a head covering (under the helmet ) made to wick sweat. the evaporation is cooling. I have been known to poor some water on my head to aidd to the effect. Good luck.

Attachment 564875It was 116 in the shade this particular day. 121 on the asphalt. Oy.

It's already hitting 110 degrees F in Phoenix. Riding in the afternoon can cause heat stroke, there's no "getting used to it". Every summer one or two trail runners die thinking they can handle the heat while they attempt to run up Camelback Mountain. Even with proper hydration, physical exercise can create more heat than the body can disperse.

I think the record here is 122 officially. On the asphalt it's considerably hotter.

Water, water, water. Start drinking hours before your ride and drink constantly during the ride. If you wait until you're thirsty it's too late and you'll have a hard time catching up. If you notice that you stopped sweating, it's too late. The body is like a leaky radiator, as long as you keep putting water in it it stays cool.

Oh, that "dry heat" I've heard mentioned, that's a misnomer. I lived in the southern states for 30 years and know what 100 degrees and 98% humidity is like. I moved to Arizona and experienced 117 degrees ambient and 132 degrees 2 feet off the pavement. I can tell you matter-of-fact, 117 is freakin' hot man. Moved back to the Southern states last year and dang, a "hot and humid" day here ain't so bad after all.

In Arizona, when it was summer, I'd go through two jumbo water bottles on a 20 mile ride and arrive back at home drained and out of gas and water.

I've lived in both places as well. It's the pavement that makes the difference. Playing golf in Arizona is much easier than in the heat of deep South. But riding on the road is another matter due to the blast furnace of radiant heat.

This year has been odd though. Locally, we had the second warmest winter on record, but it was followed by an oddly cool spring. We're a week into June and we've yet to have a hot day.

Heat stroke looks innocent or even lazy to bystanders, but can kill easily, especially if you are older, or having cardiac issues. So heat stroke should be prevented at all cost.

There for reduce heavy physical labour and exercise, if it is too warm. A better time for that is early in the morning and in the evening.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat_stroke

Don't wear warm or dark-colored clothing in the heat. However choose clothing that protects from dangerous tick-bites, when you walk in grass or forest.

Lie down in the shade, if you feel overheated, drink plenty of water in the heat, and always carry a telephone with you to call for help, if necessary.

I enjoy the heat. 100+ is a good day to ride, mup is empty, love it. But sunscreen and plenty of water are a must.