Litespeed

Weather report said it was suppose to be in the low 80's today, in my neck of the woods. I decided to do my usual 40 mile round trip to Lake Murray. I was doing fine until I was about 3/4 of the way home.

At one point my computer said it was 100 degrees and it felt like it, especially when there was no breeze.
I actually ended up missing a turn that I have made a thousand times, felt like I was disoriented. By the time I had reached the last little hill to get to my street, I honestly thought I might collapse. The left turn signal wouldn't change for me, so I ended up going through it anyway when the traffic was clear.

When I got home I jumped in a cool shower and washed my hair to keep my head cool. Ate something and now feel MUCH better. I drank two bottles of water on the ride, but didn't have enough to pour on my head on the ride. I know if I had started feel sick to my stomach I would have been very close to heat exhaustion. Next time I will probably take my camelbak instead.

Pamestique 

I personally hate summer. If just sitting at the beach watching the wavs roll in the hot weather is fine but working out - it sucks. Starting about now I have to alter what I do. I generally ride in the evening only (after 5) when the temperature starts to cool down. Even if I start at 7 am the temps will only climb and get hotter. I definitely don't ride without a Camelbak. Best and easiest way to carry more water and I just know I drink more wearing one.

Already waiting for Fall to get here!

DnvrFox

I led a small ride today - not all that hot, but one of the participants was post-radiation and surgery for cancer about 2 months - but I didn't know that at the beginning of the ride.

It was only 10 miles, but at the 4 mile mark, she got a cramp, and began to feel bad.

Finally, I convinced her to pour water all over her head and upper body, and she felt a lot better. I then escorted her and her husband back to the ride start without incident.

10 Wheels

Good work DnvrFox.
You rode 8 miles.

Barrettscv 

After a cold and rainy spring we had warm weather in Chicago, with a 15-20 mph winds out of the south.

I started the day going north and the wind helped me maintain a 20 mph average. I don't know why, but I forgot my waterbottle in the freezer. I stopped for water at a train station after an hour. I drank at the fountain I purchased a bottle of water from a vending machine.

When I got home, I weighed myself. I was 4 lbs lighter than 24 hours earlier. After lunch with plenty of fluids, I weighed myself again and the 4 lbs was back. not good on the system, I'm sure.

Michael

cranky old dude

Shhhh, we're not supposed to mention mileage.

Sounds like you were overheated Litespeed, though as a North Easterner I have little if any experience in such things. We get very few heat waves above 80F, and almost no earthquakes. Oh, and we actually have time to extinguish our infrequent forest fires. Our winters are bitter cold though. I can tell you lots about frostbite.

Be careful out there and take plenty of water. Nothing wrong with taking a rest under a nice big shade tree either. Maybe even a dip in Lake Murray?

cyclinfool

Maybe so, but he's not counting

Retro Grouch 

I've gotten overcooked a few times.

The thing that i find surprising is how short a time elapse can be between feeling fine and feeling completely cooked.

stapfam

Rarely do we get the temp up to your levels- but I have ridden in excess of 100F and no problem. But the main thing was hydration. And another Camelback user here- On those long rides- it carries more water and it is so easy to keep sipping.

And I have gone the other way and a cool ride- not drinking enough for the Sweating going on and Bonk time.

Rick@OCRR

Yes Litespeed, you were over-heated at least, and from your symptoms it sounds like you were close to something a lot more serious.

As noted above, use a Camelback. On days like that, I pack mine with ice, then fill the spaces between the ice with water or Gatorade (or whatever you like in an electrolyte drink).

On the Davis Double Century last Sat. we were in heat over 100 deg. F for six or seven hours. In addition to filling my Camelback as noted at every Checkpoint, the Davis club was also giving out Ice Socks, i.e. a white cotton tube sock filled with ice cubes and tied at the end to keep the ice from escaping.

At each of the afternoon Checkpoints I would turn in my old, dried Sock and pick up a new Ice Sock to drape around my neck. Worked great to keep my body temp. down and the only tricky part was that the Ice Sock would tend to lift-off on fast descents.

Once the ice was partially melted, I could tuck the ends into my jersey, so no problem after that.

I finished the 203 miles in 16 hours, so about an hour and a half longer than usual due to the heat, however, I credit the ice in my Camelback and the Ice Socks with getting me through the heat of the day.

Rick / OCRR

wobblyoldgeezer

I'm glad that litespeed got back ok, and it sounds like he did exactly the right thing for recovery

It's getting to the warm time of year here, and we have to look after our outside operators, particularly those working around boilers and furnaces. And, as retroG says, how you feel is maybe a very unreliable lagging indicator of how you are.

One ride not so long ago about 20 of us stopped at a turnaround point - and as soon as we stopped, trouble. Dry heaves, shivers (in 110 f heat), and confusion. The perceived cooling of wind-evaporated sweat can hide the effects of hyperthermia. A good warning thread

JohnDThompson 

You need to head north. We had frost warnings over the weekend.

wobblyoldgeezer

You might consider moving south east. We didn't