"I have just been sweating. Trying not to go out when it's unbearable. Drinking a ton. Stopping often in the shade. Making excuses to go into shops with A/C. Eating a lot of ice cream ;) Going out in the early morning...when we can get our act together or late in the evening. I do love it when I get started and the breeze from just the riding movement whispers on my sweaty skin and I think, geeze, what was a sitting around in the heat for?" - Stacy, A Simple Six
"Lots of water and don't over exert yourself. Wear a hat with a brim and something to cover your neck." - Laura, Army Green Mama
"Wicking clothing. Merino wool (summer weight) is great. avoid cotton unless it's seersucker. Also, you can get less expensive technical fabric clones at Target or Wal-Mart." - Bruce
"I recommend a wrap that you can soak on cool water and tie around your neck. I know from experience that no matter how well a biker plans, we end up getting such in the heat. There will not always be a building with AC. I also, after my very last stop on the day soak a light shirt and put it on over the short I have been wearing. The breeze from the ride home helps keep me from overheating..." - Vicki
"I live in So Cal and just started daily riding this Spring. As it's getting warmer, I've been chilling a Takeya leakproof pitcher (Costco has them right now in a 2 pack) of water, then adding ice before I pack it on my Yuba. Don't even notice the weight. Then I just keep refilling my little water bottle as needed." - Melinda
"I started soaking a bandana in cold water and tie it around my neck, which lasts a half hour or more. I kept some ice in a cooler for over an hour yesterday with me on a parade ride. The cubes were refreshing to apply to my shoulders and arms, or to just eat one by one. I also wear the seersucker cotton, flax or linen short sleeve shirts that let the air through. a bunch of coping strategies." - David
As always, I'm impressed with the great friendship and community found within the cycling community. Do you have a tip for dealing with the hot weather you can share?
I used to ride in dry, triple digit weather regularly. Here’s what I did: not only did I drink lots of water but I also kept a bottle of water to pour on me: on my head and over my jersey. That extra water helped to lower my core temperature. The other trick was to put my filled, Camelback reservoir in the freezer overnight. The reservoir was a block of ice that also lowered my core temperature and I had cold water for a while on my rides. Every time I saw a sprinkler in a park, I took a break and got myself nice and wet. Take it slow, build up your time so your body can get used to the heat. - Kellie
ReplyDeleteAwesome idea with the Camelback- I've wanted to get one of those. Thanks Kellie!
DeleteI thought of one more: We're cursed with a lot of fast food restaurants, but if I'm getting low on water, I take my empty bottle inside and explain that I'm on a bike with my little one and could really use some water. Typically, they'll give me a small water cup and I'll use it several times to fill my bottle.
ReplyDelete-Melinda
The other day I peddled to the local battery store for an errand and asked the employee if I could fill my bottle. He was very understanding and gave me some from the break room in the back. Lots of companies have cold, filtered water for their workers. I figured that since I was spending money there, I may as well see if they'd extend me a courtesy. I'll definitely be going back to that store.
The other tips here are great too!
Melinda- thanks!
DeleteVery few places will argue with providing you water in the summer--so long as you look like somebody that might buy something from their store, even if it's not that day. Just be polite.
ReplyDeleteWhile out on a rec. ride it's easy to throw all practicality to the wind (soak yourself, drink lots, breaks in the shade or A/C etc.) but when you're commuting my best pieces of advice are use panniers, and going slowly. Wearing a backpack or messenger bag is like putting on a down vest in the middle of the summer--throw your gear on your bike and let your skin breathe! I also plan on my trips taking nearly twice as long: I'll take the longer, flatter route if possible, and ride as easy as my gearing will allow. You're not going as fast as a car, and you'll be going faster than you would walking, so the 2mph difference isn't worth showing up looking like a dog caught in a rainstorm. It's summer: just take it easy.
Happy trails!
Great advice- thank you!
DeleteMove north to Vancouver BC :) It sometimes gets warm here, but never hot.
ReplyDeleteAnne- I love BC! One of the prettiest cities I've seen!
DeleteI bring dry clothes just about everywhere I go. We often ride to a destination and stay for a spell before riding home again. I roll clothes that may wrinkle and bring them in my backpack. I often bring additional riding clothes so I don't have to put on wet clothes when it's time to ride home. The combination of dry clothes on dry skin (baby powder or cornstarch) amazingly help cool me quickly. An exception to this rule is running errands, in which case I count on the exuberant a/c that most stores pump out.
ReplyDeleteGreat Advice- thanks, I will grab some cornstarch!
DeleteI failed miserably at this today. My dress was soaked when we got to the brewery. It wasn't too hot, I think it was the junky material. I had a second shirt with me so I just threw it on top for the tour and then took it off again on the way home. I would have drank more water but I was drinking beer so...
ReplyDelete-Laura
Laura- you are after-all in Germany, I'd never be able to make room for water lol
DeleteLots of good advice (many of which I do myself),good post,my friend!
ReplyDeleteThe Disabled Cylist
Thanks TDC!
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