Ndw76

I have read plenty of threads about riding in cold weather. From comparing how strong each rider is by how cold he or she can ride, to more helpful advice about how to ride in cold weather.

But over here in Bangkok each time I read one of these threads I can't help but think how lucky these cold riders are.

At the moment over here in Thailand it is summer. Thailand only has three seasons. They are hot, hot and wet, and about two days of winter when the thermometer drops to about 25c.

It's school holidays right now, so I should be doing more riding. But I'm stuck at home because it is so hot outside.

So does anyone have any advice on how to ride in hot weather?

By the way, today the temp is about 39c with about 41% humidity.

Silvercivic27

Same way as really cold. Trainer.

rooftest

I don't mind the heat, myself - so I just do it. I can't stand the cold.

abstractform20

long jersey, no bibs/shorts. stand at red lights. drops on green.

wrr1020

I prefer heat and hate riding in cold. Just make sure you keep rehydrating.

seanthebear

I ride in Taiwan. Similar issues in July/August. You need to get up at 5 am to ride. Finish all climbs before 9.30 (not that you'll be climbing in BKK). Drink loads and pop an ibuprofen when you get home to avoid heat headaches. Other than that HTFU. . Seriously though 40 degrees is probably too hot.

OldsCOOL

I've had hillclimbs and shorter rides at 95f and 90% humidity here in northern Michigan. With our long winters there is no way I'm staying off the roads if it's what everybody else calls hot.

How do the desert folks ride when it's 110f? That's what I'd like to know.

I just water up often and be sure to take extra snacks. Pace is a bit slower and I know when to rest in the shade.

big john

It takes time to get used to the heat and I work outside, so that helps, as long as I'm not wiped out from work. Guzzle lots of water and I can ride in high temps, even over 110 at times.
The biggest problem is the climbs. I sweat so much that I can't drink enough when climbing so I have to try and limit the climbs when it's stupid hot.

Barrettscv 

1) Ride at dawn
2) long sleeved performance fabric base layer for the upper body in white
3) well vented helmet
4) Three water-bottles with HEED
5) Watch the heart rate

IthaDan 

I drink a lot of water. Wear sunscreen. Think about how I'd spent all winter *****ing about how cold it was.

Street Pedaler

Ride EARLY, hydrate like crazy (all day every day whether riding or not), Endurolytes in the jersey pockets to help replace sodium and other electrolytes. Just be smart and listen to what your body is telling you.

dstrong 

Don't ride between 11a and 6p. During the hottest parts of our summer, I'll usually be on the road by 7a and temps will be around 80f (28c). By about 10a, temps can be 91f (33c) and by the time I finish, 95f (35c). Humidity is higher in the morning...usually in the 60 - 70% range, until about 10a when it drops, usually into the mid 30's.

I will normally drink 2 24-oz bottles per hour, one of them with endurolytes.

big john

We usually don't have high humidity here and if it's going to be 95 or under, I'll do anything the club is doing. I don't think 95 is too hot.

RT

Unless you are visiting, generally a rider adapts to his/her environment. I have been here in the high plains for 19 years and neither altitude nor the arid conditions affect me significantly. Cold and dry is the same as hot and dry, you just wear different clothes. Same should apply for hot weather.

I don't think I could go to the OP's world or Phoenix in the dead of summer and just ride like I normally do.

mmmdonuts

Acclimatization. Don't spend all day everyday in a cool office or home and then try to ride in the heat.

And what everyone else said: lots of fluids, light fabrics, etc. I personally would expose less skin so no sleeveless jerseys. 41% humidity is not so bad, at least you get the evaporative cooling effect.

therhodeo

This. We had a record summer last year and I never missed one of our group rides. I went on at least 1 hilly 50 miler where a coworker and I left work at 4:00 in the afternoon and rode. I rode a ton in weather over 100. Your body needs to be used to it, well hydrated, and well fed (in quality not quantity). I do alot of lawn work outside when its hot, I rarely run the AC in my car, and we keep our thermostat up near 80 to save money. You can't expect to be fast in a race if its the only time you ride and you can't expect to handle the heat on the bike if its the only time you're out in it.

This was our summer last year including a week of 100's in September.
https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/sti...0129?year=2011
https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/sti...0129?year=2011
https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/sti...0129?year=2011


Also Coca Cola and V8 are your friend.

Beau210

Last summer I was on the bike at 2pm and didn't stop till 4 or 5 because of my class schedule. You just have to hydrate, pay attention to your body, and start now while it's just starting to get hot so you will be used to it when it really heats up.

banerjek

Agreed on all of the above.

In a normal year, I ride in temps ranging from the low teens to the low 100's, and the top end of that scale is more fun any day -- especially for long rides. Screw limiting yourself to riding early when it's much cooler. But hydration is serious business as are electrolytes. On a climb in real heat, I can go through two large bottles of water in 10 miles. On flats, it can be close to two bottles per hour, and wind increases water requirements.

I love the way heat feels on the muscles, and all my best speeds were logged when the temps were 90+. The more you ride in heat, the easier it gets -- 100 miles in 100 degree heat is nothing if you're in condition.

GDA

Conditioning and mind over matter. Similar approach to riding big climbs... most people detest climbing so, if you like it and practice on them lots, you will be just that much better at them.

alexaschwanden

Warm or hot weather is fine, it's the cold that I don't like.

therhodeo

Also shaving helps. No joke.

TrojanHorse

Well, it sounds like you're out of excuses! Actually, 41% sounds really low for humidity in Thailand. Is that right?

I lived in Singapore for 3 years and rode all the time, preferably when the sun was down or low on the horizon. Also, right after it rains is very refreshing. Drink lots of water, yadda, yadda, yadda. We had the same three seasons - Hot, Hot and wet, and Damn bloody hot.

If I lived in Bangkok and wanted to ride, I think the weather would be very low on my list of concerns. Traffic there is CRAAAAAAAZY! I assume you've found places to ride out of town, the scenery is spectacular. Post some pictures!

Vlaam4ever

I'm looking forward to riding in the heat. However the humidity of July and August inthe SouthEast are not great for motivation when working in a nice A/C controlled office.

alexfboyle

This.
If you practice, you will get good at it. It will be awful at firsts, but you'll get used to it. I would much rather ride in the 90's, than in the 60's. But that's just me.
Just remember to keep drinking water. I cannot stress this enough. Seriously. Riding get's exponentially harder if you can't get any fluids into you.
Also, food helps a lot, as soon as you start to get light headed, drink water and eat something. Chances are you'll feel better soon.

ColinL

it's best if you get started before it's insanely hot.. that helps with the adaption. if it's already hot you can start your rides in the morning but make sure they last long enough to give you a taste of the heat.

within a month or so, you will be able to ride in the worst of it as long as you hydrate. also, I drink plain water no problem in the winter and start of spring. but in summer and early fall, you need electrolytes.