big john

103 where I was riding today but I finished before it got that high. I didn't even have to use a rectal thermometer. Really, 103 isn't so bad if I'm not climbing and I have enough water.

Some of us worked outside in high heat. I worked as a mechanic until I was 65 in 100 plus weather. Some days if I had to work in the direct sun it was pretty rough but normally I was in the shade. Usually did 10 cars per day, sometimes more than 20.

JustaJoe

I must note that for my ride yesterday, it was 82* and 45% humidity - almost getting to be long sleeve or jacket weather!

GhostRider62

It was 90F in France today with low humidity, I drank 2.5L on a 3 hour ride and did not overheat one bit. I probably could have used another litre. The oddest thing? I got sunburn. I ride in the middle of the day all the time without sunscreen back in NJ and legs are deeply tanned.

pepperbelly

I wish I was younger and could do a bike tour through Europe.

locolobo13 

I grew up here. Playing outside summer/winter in the 60s & 70s. I can remember my Mom telling us kids to go outside and play. "Sunshine is good for you!" The thermometer on the front porch, in the shade, said 120 F. If we overheated she would make us sit in the shade and drink cold water. Back then having to sit still was almost a punishment!

Nobody I knew had AC back then. We had swamp coolers. On a humid day less than 80 F wasn't always possible.

Started riding consistently again in Aug '08. Heck of a time to start. Been bike commuting year round since. Most years the afternoon ride will consistently get over 115 F. Found if I took it easy as the weather changed my body would acclimate. My morning commute is 5 mi in the 80- low 90s. The afternoon commute is 5-7 mi in the 105+ range. Don't think it got over 118 this year. Too many people seem to think it's a death sentence to go outside this time of year.

Not telling anyone what to do. But people have been living here for a long time. Wherever you're at, consider riding a mile, 1/2 mi out and 1/2 mi back. How bad is it? You might be surprised.

BTW: When it gets cold I'm a weenie. Over layering to the point where my back is sweating and my fingertips are numb..

GhostRider62

Yes, it is nice to only be 65 yo.....I am doing 1218 km Paris Brest Paris over a few days next week.

Calsun

The heat that is killing people is largely reflected heat from pavement (170 degrees in Phoenix) or the ceiling, windows, and walls of poorly insulated buildings. Half of what we feel as heat is from the ambient air and half is from reflected heat. When you stand near a fireplace what is warming you is reflected heat from the fire.

An AC set for 75 degrees is going to make a well insulated house feel much cooler than a poorly insulated house with the same temperature air coming out of the AC unit.

Helps to cycle early in the day before the pavement has heated up, unless you live in Arizona where the temperture cools down very little overnight.

pepperbelly

the low in the morning will be 85 or 86. The high today was 111. The high tomorrow will be 109.

SpedFast

I'm not in triple digit heat, but my old body is starting to fade. The same ride as 2 weeks ago seems a lot harder. Or is it just me? I ride 6 days/week averaging 25 miles/ride. I'm already heading out while it's still dark. Can't wait for fall to get here.

pepperbelly

I am with you about ready for fall. I would love for the high to be around 85*.
I can’t get acclimated to the heat since I retired. I spent 20 years working in it- asphalt streets, concrete, mowing, weed eating and edging a medium size city. I have gotten soft.

big john

You are having an unusually hot summer, yes? Are you doing something different than when you were working? When I was working I would drink a gallon and a half on hot days plus more when I got home.

Since I retired I don't spend nearly as much time in high heat. I also don't do many 8 hour rides any more and I have been pretty happy with the way I've acclimated the last few years. Of course, it hasn't been as hot here as where you live.

pepperbelly

I spend too much time indoors with ac. I have tried acclimating but it is difficult.
I will get acclimated but it will be after the high temp falls under 100*. It’s just too hot.
When I was in my 30s and 40s I played softball in the heat with no problems. But once I passed 60 a lot oc glthings changed, and I am not happy about most of them. I ain’t giving up, but damn, I wasn’t thinking about all this when I made plans.

terrymorse 

That’s *radiated* heat you feel from a fire.

rsbob 

My Garmin Edge gives me after each ride in the hotter months, “X% heat acclimated”. Never made it to 100% yet, and if I ever did, I wouldn’t believe it.