How hot is too hot?
#26
TFO

Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 318
Likes: 34
From: MSP/AZ
Bikes: Trek Emonda SL7 eTap, Felt AR-B, Colnago Master Mapei, BMC Roadmachine Amp
several weeks ago I rode a new route while it was 90+ with high humidity. there was a hill coming into one town that just about did me in. the next week I rode the same route with low 80's temp and moderate humidity. hardly even noticed that hill.
#27
Wised up some
Got out early this morning. When I left it was 67 and when I got back home it was 71. Very nice, but looking forward to heading out when it is 55-60. The heat/humidity will try to kill me today, but at least it will be from mowing. Takes 4-5 hours to walk it.
Bradtx-I know all about Harleys, road heat, stop and go traffic, etc. After 30 years and 4 Hawgs I have nothing to prove any more. Too hot or cold I just stay off the thing.
I will say this; in extreme heat I would rather be on a bike vs. motorcycle.
Bradtx-I know all about Harleys, road heat, stop and go traffic, etc. After 30 years and 4 Hawgs I have nothing to prove any more. Too hot or cold I just stay off the thing.
I will say this; in extreme heat I would rather be on a bike vs. motorcycle.
#29
Hey Wulf, I wish I could tell you to go pound sand, but having to wait for the truck & trailer to come get me in super miserable heat by the road twice in the last 5 years all I can say is you are correct! First time while waiting a guy in a car passed me by and when he came back he gave me a gatorade. Second time I was stranded in front of two houses. Could not hold it any longer so knocked on a door. I went and then they fed me lunch. Back outside to wait. A guy comes out from other house and invites me in where his wife has just made pecan pie! YUM!
Last edited by Rider98Glide; 08-25-11 at 11:05 AM.
#30
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 319
Likes: 3
It is a combination of heat, sun and humidity that works together. A low humidity day that is over cast could be endurable into the low 100s. A relentlessly sunny day in the low 90s with nearly 100% humidity can be pretty brutal.
The ultimate judge on this is you. Some people can endure more heat than others. If it is too hot for you, it is too hot.
The ultimate judge on this is you. Some people can endure more heat than others. If it is too hot for you, it is too hot.
#31
Yesterday I was riding in 85-90 degree weather and that is fine as long as it is rolling hills--but on long steep hills it is no fun--and more so on a mountain bike with the sun beating!
It is easy and quick to get in trouble in the heat--heat strokes are dangerous!
It is easy and quick to get in trouble in the heat--heat strokes are dangerous!
#32
Banned.
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,894
Likes: 5
From: Upland Ca
Bikes: Lemond Chambery/Cannondale R-900/Trek 8000 MTB/Burley Duet tandem
Did a mountain ride on Wed, 53 miles 4600 feet and boy the 100 degrees was hard on the body this day. So hot and dry that I appeared to not be sweating. I think the sweat was evaporating as it left my skin.
100 on a flat ride is ok, on the climbs, it's a little tougher. Don't think I'd ask for more than that.
GMR then up to Cogswell Dam.
Waiting for my support chopper.

Waterfall in the mountains

100 on a flat ride is ok, on the climbs, it's a little tougher. Don't think I'd ask for more than that.
GMR then up to Cogswell Dam.
Waiting for my support chopper.


Waterfall in the mountains
#33
When I lived in the desert, I had that problem with my Kenda's. I discovered that when I came to a stoplight, I had to dismount and lift my bike off the ground or the tires would get soft and start blowing the sidewalls out as the tube tried to come through the threads of the tire. I contacted Continental who claimed that that wouldn't happen to their tires, but I never had the chance to check it out.
The tires were okay when I was rolling since no one part of the tire was in constant contact with the street, but stop at a light and there could be problems.
The tires were okay when I was rolling since no one part of the tire was in constant contact with the street, but stop at a light and there could be problems.
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"He who serves all, best serves himself" Jack London
#34
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,000
Likes: 3
From: Further North than U
Bikes: Spec Roubaix, three Fisher Montare, two Pugs
Living in North Pole, Alaska I just shake my head at this. I doubt I've ever ridden above 85...and I'm not sure I've even ridden over 80 degrees. August 12 I did a long ride after my 60th birthday and it started out about 38F degrees
. Todays ride started about 55F and ended about 68F or so. Those are nice temps for me.
. Todays ride started about 55F and ended about 68F or so. Those are nice temps for me.
#35
Membership Not Required
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16,853
Likes: 18
From: On the road-USA
Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG
Which is why my Honda CH125 just happens to be water cooled 
Aaron

Aaron
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"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
#36
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 13,358
Likes: 665
From: northern michigan
Bikes: '77 Colnago Super, '76 Fuji The Finest, '88 Cannondale Criterium, '86 Trek 760, '87 Miyata 712
My temp limit for training is only affected if going above 60mi here in the northern Michigan area. This summer has been hot.
#37
North of Houston, we have had 50+ days with temps over 100 degrees. The humidity is also high, often 70 to 90%. I am soaked with sweat, even before I get on the bike. It has not stopped me from my daily Clyde ride of 17 to 25 miles. I just make sure I stay hydrated, before, during and after the ride.
Got up at five-thirty this morning, and it was already 78 degrees.
Got up at five-thirty this morning, and it was already 78 degrees.
#39
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 800
Likes: 2
From: Overland Park, KS
Bikes: 1999 Giant TCR 2T 2009 Giant Cypress DX 2015 Giant Anyroad 1
The hottest air temperature I've cycled in this summer is 113°. As long as I was moving it was tolerable. When I stopped at a traffic light, not so much.
#40
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,124
Likes: 111
From: Huntington Beach, CA
Bikes: Cervelo Prodigy
Living in North Pole, Alaska I just shake my head at this. I doubt I've ever ridden above 85...and I'm not sure I've even ridden over 80 degrees. August 12 I did a long ride after my 60th birthday and it started out about 38F degrees
. Todays ride started about 55F and ended about 68F or so. Those are nice temps for me.
. Todays ride started about 55F and ended about 68F or so. Those are nice temps for me.
#41
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 7,579
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From: Pearland, Texas
Bikes: Cannondale, Trek, Raleigh, Santana
Today was a good example of being too hot to ride... we tied our all time record high of 109 degrees F. A new clue to when it's too hot to ride is when there are no birds flying. BTW, as I type it's still 97 degrees F, 101 is the heat index.
Brad
Brad
#42
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,000
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From: Further North than U
Bikes: Spec Roubaix, three Fisher Montare, two Pugs
I laughed outloud at the "no birds flying". I can't even comprehend that level of heat. It hit 70F today and I thought to myself, "maybe I should go back and start the ride later when it cools off". Those were almost my exact thoughts but it wasn't worth it to turn around and I didn't notice the heat much after all. Still..."no birds flying". That's funny.
#43
The guy in the 50+ jersey

Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 715
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From: Davidson, NC
Bikes: Specialized S-Works Roubaix, Litespeed Tuscany Road, Specialized Allez Epic lugged carbon frame Road,Giant Anthem 29'r, Klein Hardtail
I rode in the 50s this morning. I think that temp is about right and almost too warm too be climbing hard. Anything more than 85º is too hot. I will say if the humidity is really low, like desert low, I can stretch the comfort range up a few degrees. I've never liked hot weather.
#44
My avg. morning ride in the Dallas area starts out around upper 80's and when I finish about 40 minutes later (11.5 mile normal morning ride) it's about low mid 90's. I typically am just not comfortable riding in the upper 90's and beyond (where it reaches every day).
#47
just keep riding
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 13,560
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From: Milledgeville, Georgia
Bikes: 2018 Black Mountain Cycles MCD,2017 Advocate Cycles Seldom Seen Drop Bar, 2017 Niner Jet 9 Alloy, 2015 Zukas custom road, 2003 KHS Milano Tandem, 1986 Nishiki Cadence rigid MTB, 1980ish Fuji S-12S
It was 99F at 6pm and dropped to 97 during my 1 hour ride. I rode hard, sweated profusely and felt great.
#49
I live in Phoenix and am trying to build my miles in preparation for brevets. My only option is to get up early and get in the miles before it gets too warm. Weekend before last, I was on the road at 0430 and off at noon. I wanted my miles to be higher than the temps but failed by just a couple of miles. Yesterday, I was on the road by 0400 and it was very, very nice out. By 11, I was well over 100 miles so I called it a day. The humidity was about 35% for what it's worth.
During this year's Ragbrai, the heat and humidity was tough but not overbearing. I managed to stay hydrated and only had issues on the very first day. I treated myself to a massage and that seemed to help tremendously.
I don't mind heat and humidity but all things considered, I'd rather tackle them early in the day and get off the road by noon. That keeps the fun factor in the right range for me.
During this year's Ragbrai, the heat and humidity was tough but not overbearing. I managed to stay hydrated and only had issues on the very first day. I treated myself to a massage and that seemed to help tremendously.
I don't mind heat and humidity but all things considered, I'd rather tackle them early in the day and get off the road by noon. That keeps the fun factor in the right range for me.
#50
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,770
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From: Green Valley AZ
Bikes: Trice Q; Volae Century; TT 3.4
Around here riding the dawn patrol is so great it's worth hauling the carcass out of bed as early as necessary. I like to start about half an hour or more before sunrise.





