Juan Foote

Since "real" warm weather hit, and the humidity jumped up, I simply cannot get motivated on my bike at all. I put in less than 15 miles in the last week and a half. When I do get on the bike I feel like a limp noodle, I have no energy whatsover. It really sucks. I can feel all this work I have been doing withering away.

I went out to the bike shop and picked myself up another water bottle and cage so that I would quit running out a few miles out from home on my return loops. I have been prehydrating like crazy, but when I get on the bike I just feel dead. My legs are totally non responsive, I feel like I can't breathe, it sucks, BAD! I really feel like I enjoyed riding in the cold weather better.

I wish I was a bit more motivated to get out and ride in the morning while it is still cool outside, but these new meds I am on keep me so sleepy, my whole schedule is screwed up. In addition I am having issues with sweat actually causing my liner to slip, and my leg to come out of my prosthesis around halfway through my ride. I have tried antiperspirants, and a collar (rubber part that holds the leg and prosthesis around the knee) to no avail...the collar actually makes the sweating worse.

How do you guys stay motivated when it is baking hot outside?

Yaniel

I just don't let it bother me. It sure beats sitting in front of a tv or computer.

MrTuner1970

Totally. I'm amazed by folks who need motivation to go out for a ride.

Punkncat, I'm in Mississippi, where the heat/humidity is about as bad as in McDonough. It's certainly tough, but I just get used to it. Do some early morning rides, or early evening rides before it gets dark. And the faster you ride, the better your cooling system.

Juan Foote

Yeah, I understand where you are coming from, I love to ride more than most anything. It is simply a matter of when I DO get on the bike I cannot seem to find any energy or feel like I can breathe. It is strange, really and didn't notice it until my last ride a bit over a week ago.
I have been going on short little rides with the family in the neighborhood 3 miles or so at a very slow pace mostly for my wife who has never ridden, and that requires so little that it doesn't bother me. I had made mention of my average and distance going down a bit as it was starting to warm up, but really hit me the other week when it topped 90 a few days. We have been having those pop up showers and the humidity is a beast....and yes Miss. has GOT to be as bad if not worse.

I am wondering if it actually has something to do with the meds I was recently put on. I didn't notice a real difference the first month I was on them, but most certainly it coincides with the second...it seems a little wierd that it would take over a month on them to see that change. I am going to ask my dr about it on my visit tomorrow.

helmut

Whenever this happens to me, I just buy a new bike. Works wonders. BTW, I feel the lack of motivation and give in constantly even though I don't have the excuse of only having one leg. You're hardcore already in my book.

colombo357

Call me a doper, but I got superficial chlorophyll injections and am literally energized by the sun.

Juan Foote

Thanks for the kind remark.

joe_5700

Yesterday was the hottest day of the year so far (around 90) and it felt great. No matter how hot and humid it is, I have never felt it ever made it not a great day to ride. It sounds like your meds and prothesis are to blame more than anything. If you have only done 15 miles in a week and a half it sounds like you never even got warmed up on any of your rides. Can the rest of you imagine stopping your rides short of warming up every ride? I think we would all be very unmotivated at that point. Keep spinning.

joe_5700

+1

JoelS

Sounds like you're completely out of shape. Only way to fix that is to get out and ride. Then it won't be so hard. Go early when it's still cool.

Juan Foote

Normally I do some simple stretching and mild calestinics before I ride just to get the blood going. It generally takes me about 5 minutes or so to get warmed up, and feeling better, but as of late it just isn't happening.

wacomme

There's always the indoor trainer.

For me, it's the wind that's a bummer. Despite hating the wind, I still ride. However, with gust over 60 mph today is too windy to ride (outside).

wacomme

I do understand your point - a little. I hate to run in hot weather. Thus, my running is a winter time sport.

mrbUSA

Ride in the early morning before the sun begins to bake everything... (as quoted by me, a guy who lives in Fort Lauderdale). Now HTFU you big baby...

Velo Vol 

Give me the heat and the stupidity any day over cold winter winds.

kleinboogie

Class BF responses, jeez what a waste those first dozen posts were. If it's high body temp you're having trouble with, they make clothes specifically to keep you cool. In those cases, the more of it the better. If it's the air humidity, or lack thereof, maybe some kind of mask or airway drugs, nose sprays those bandage thingies etc., will help. GL

docjoe

Honestly, it sounds like something you might want to discuss with your doctor. If you're having side effects to one of your medicines, you may want to have he/she change it to a reasonable alternative. I am sure that your doctor would prefer to change your meds around than for you to be a sloth due to side effects. Some meds will interfere with your ability and quality of exercise so you should call your doctor. Just my 2 cents. Otherwise, try going out riding in the mornings and just try to keep going frequently to build up your endurance and strength.

guadzilla

It has been hitting 120F around here nowadays and I've been feeling much the same as you.

2 things:
1/ Go out later. It is still 90+ after sunset, but when the sun isnt burning every inch of exposed flesh, it doesnt feel so bad.
2/ Douse yourself in cold water every 20-30 min. Feels great and perks you up immediately.

Re motivation to go out - in my case, I have a weekly mileage goal and I stick to it. I have also been noticing improvements in my HR and speed over the past couple of months, and that is a great motivator as well.

That being said, I skipped my ride today cos I was feeling really tired and lazy

V.

cwk132

I made the mistake of deciding to ride in the afternoon rather than in the morning today with temps around 95 here in MN. I'm a chronic procrastinator to some extent, I know I'll get my ride in for the day, or get my homework done, etc. but it's just a mater of when I actually decide to do it. Lesson learned today though, even if waking up early sucks (college student with no summer job) it wont suck as much as the ride itself if it gets too hot out

CHuG

Find a new bike loop/area. <--- Different scenery may be enjoyable

Get on your mountain bike and hit the trails <-- Different type of training, that'll make your road bike feel like a feather the next time you ride.

Get a Friend to ride with <--- especially one that'll trash talk you if you skip out on a workout day.

Get involve with group rides <--- new faces, and lots of learning and/or teaching of the biking world

bluevelo

Hmmm. I can't help you with the humidity. I used to live in metro Jackson, MS and I've ridden in some pretty bad heat/humidity.

Here in Northern California, it can get REALLY hot in Sacramento during the summers - low 100s by mid-afternoon or worse, with air stagnation at times, but we have much lower humidity and after the puddles dry out from the Spring rains, no bugs to speak of.

I go through cycles (sorry for the pun) of being motivated/unmotivated to ride. Just work through it.

ahsposo 

MrTuner said the key: You got to keep moving to stay cool.

Identify waterpoints on your route. Always have plain water as well as a sports drink. Plain water squirted on head, back and face is very refreshing. My ride Sunday reminded me I also like to carry a bandana to mop my face.

merlinextraligh

How about developing the fitness to crush the souls of the guys who didn't want you on their ride?

And I'm only be half facetious. For me having a goal with a time frame gives me th emotivation to get off the coach.

Dawnrider

I started riding in the cold weather just last Feb. I'm finding it hard to get motiviated to ride here in North Dallas with the heat starting to climb, but I know I feel so much better when I'm done. I rode 48 miles yesterday with super high humidty and like to died but much better for it.

My question is what do y'all think about that sweat gutter device?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000YDK968/...l_56mtsfemgf_b

ksharp

It seems to be summer everywhere except the SF Bay Area, today had a high of about 65F.