Carbon Unit

I just moved from Southern California to Austin, Texas. It seldom got hot enough in California to stop me from riding but I think that will be different here. How hot does it need to get before you stay in doors and hit the trainer?

JerrySTL

It's a combination of heat and humidity for me. When I lived in the New Mexico desert, I'd ride when it was 100+°F as it was dry and sweat evaporated very well. When I moved to near St. Louis I once nearly died trying to do a century ride at 95° in massive humidity.

If it's hot but dry, I'll still ride. I have one route that is very shady and that helps. About 10 years ago I did a double century in 90+° heat, but it was very dry especially for the STL area. I drank gallons of cold sports drink that day.

Carloswithac

I've mountain biked in 120 degree weather. Not much of a choice since we were in the middle of nowhere. At least we had snacks and water, but it was brutal. mugginess is what I hate!

therhodeo

118 I think was the highest actual temperature. We were on black top and my bike computer was reading 126 because of the heat coming off the tarmac.

merlinextraligh

I haven't found a high enough temperature where I'd ride the trainer to avoid the heat. Did a century once with temperature over 100, and heat index of 120 or so. Probably wasn't a great idea.

StephenH

We ride all summer up here in Dallas. Just got my 1,000 miles in for August. Hotter'n'Hell 100 just finished up, up in Wichita Falls. Fill your 100 oz Camelbak with ice and water and go for it. Take money so you can stop and buy water or ice cream if you need to. Slow down some if you need to. Ride in early morning or late evening if you need to.

Seattle Forrest

It'll never happen. There's nothing mother nature can throw at me that's worse than riding a bike trainer.

Seattle's record high temperature was 108 F, but it's virtually impossible for us to have much humidity during a heat wave. Our heat waves happen when dry air blows in from the eastern desert. East of the Cascade Crest tends to be about 10 F warmer than the west side, where I live, and a lot of wonderful rides are on the east. But the dry air feels much nicer, your sweat evaporates quickly, and the shade isn't so hot. I drink a lot of water in these conditions, and I wear wool, which helps.

When it gets really really hot like that, I put the bike down and go play on a glacier.

hamster

There's riding and there's putting out significant effort. Temperatures as low as 90-95 F can make it difficult to work hard for more than ~30 minutes in a row because you lose water through sweat faster than you can replenish it by drinking. It's worse if you're trying to climb and there's non-negligible humidity. Just last week I had to abort a mountain climb attempt halfway up because it was 95 F, somewhat humid, with mild tailwind (which, in practice, meant that I was climbing in still air). I began at 220 W @ 162 bpm and, 40 minutes in, was at 210 W @ 177 bpm.

As long as you have plenty of water, you can sorta just plow along at 110 F or possibly even higher. There might be issues with tires melting at some point, I guess.

gc3

my carbon frame and wheels tend to asplode above 105 degrees and in extended sunlight...

therhodeo

Same with me. Cold is a different story though.

howeeee

I never stop no matter how hot or how cold (-:

Carbon Unit

The hottest I have ridden in so far is about 95 - 97 and it wasn't fun and I did finish my ride but I sucked as far as performance. 95 in Austin isn't hot thought and quite common here. Maybe I need to start using a camelback just to stay hydrated.

roadwarrior

It's never too hot. Too cold on the other hand...

Seattle Forrest

Yeah, but this is a bike forum, so we're talking about riding.

therhodeo

Where abouts do you live?

therhodeo

Just need to acclimate.

hamster

Silly me!

cvall91

Living in South Florida, I'm pretty much already used to whatever the temp is. I feel like it's never been too hot to ride, and obviously too cold to ride. But there have been many days where you feel fine up until you stop at a stop light and you just feel like you're melting. But then you ride on and it cools off with the wind.

floridamtb

If you have to ask then you shouldn't be riding. I'm in south Florida and have never stayed in because of heat or humidity... now lighting is another story. Get yourself conditioned and it shouldn't be a problem.

heavyMetal

Only if you want to knowingly violate Rule #32.

floridamtb

Well said... but how hot is lightening? That's the only time I stay in.

Seattle Forrest

I think lightning is 10,000 degrees F.

BoSoxYacht

I live in NW Phoenix, and it never gets too hot for me here.

kcollier5

Never too hot where I am, but definitely too cold at times... Sorry, but I'm a wuss when it comes to cold.

RIRview

It's in the mid-90's in Southern California right now, so I adjusted the timing of my ride yesterday. Instead of the morning, I started at 6:00 pm, and got home at 7:30 pm. Got home after sunset (had lights on my bike), and it was actually quite pleasant.