AM Rides to beat the heat
#1
Life Feeds On Life
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Hondo,Texas
Posts: 2,143
Bikes: Too many Motobecanes
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4426 Post(s)
Liked 4,534 Times
in
3,032 Posts
AM Rides to beat the heat
I’m not a morning person but it’s better than heat stroke. The price you pay for the mild winters. Coffee fueled rides it will be.
Likes For Hondo Gravel:
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Northampton, MA
Posts: 1,909
Bikes: 36" Unicycle, winter knock-around hybrid bike
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 930 Post(s)
Liked 393 Times
in
282 Posts
Riding has momentarily made me into more of a morning person; getting up early sporadically to ride hasn't worked, getting up earlier in general seems to be doing so, and then I get up super early (or in coming progression insanely early) for a ride. Where the initial "early" is measured relative to tech startup culture ;-)
In my case it's not so much avoiding the heat, as needing all the daylight.
That alas I cannot do, unless I'm going to sit around for an hour and a half and wait for the result.
Next ride has a very nice restroom fifteen miles out (actually a pair of unisex singles, just built to wheelchair size specs, and nothing apparent to stop you from wheeling your bike right in with you), will still skip the coffee, but less concern.
Might be different if I were only headed out for an hour or two for a before-it-gets-hot ride.
In my case it's not so much avoiding the heat, as needing all the daylight.
Coffee fueled rides it will be.
Next ride has a very nice restroom fifteen miles out (actually a pair of unisex singles, just built to wheelchair size specs, and nothing apparent to stop you from wheeling your bike right in with you), will still skip the coffee, but less concern.
Might be different if I were only headed out for an hour or two for a before-it-gets-hot ride.
Last edited by UniChris; 06-08-19 at 06:50 AM.
#4
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Posts: 8,721
Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4227 Post(s)
Liked 2,488 Times
in
1,286 Posts
Morning rides are a lot more pleasant than afternoon rides. My favourite time to start a ride is around 5:45-6:00 AM. Lucky for me I can do that several times per week as I commute to work on my bike.
#5
Non omnino gravis
#6
just another gosling
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 19,538
Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004
Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3890 Post(s)
Liked 1,939 Times
in
1,384 Posts
You could be a guinea pig for us - afternoon moderate rides for 3 weeks, see what happens: https://trainright.com/older-athlete...s-hot-weather/
Then click on the 3 how-to links at the bottom of that one.
I like a 70 oz. Camelbak filled with ice, then water for that kind of thing. If you don't have one, you're missing a very cool option. Plus Endurolytes in a coin purse shoved up my shorts leg.
Then click on the 3 how-to links at the bottom of that one.
I like a 70 oz. Camelbak filled with ice, then water for that kind of thing. If you don't have one, you're missing a very cool option. Plus Endurolytes in a coin purse shoved up my shorts leg.
__________________
Results matter
Results matter
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18883 Post(s)
Liked 10,646 Times
in
6,054 Posts
I'm waiting for the snow to melt so I can hike White Chuck and at Harts Pass.
#8
Life Feeds On Life
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Hondo,Texas
Posts: 2,143
Bikes: Too many Motobecanes
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4426 Post(s)
Liked 4,534 Times
in
3,032 Posts
100+ degrees I think I will sit in the sprinkler and have a cold beer.
#9
Me duelen las nalgas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 13,513
Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel
Mentioned: 199 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4560 Post(s)
Liked 2,802 Times
in
1,800 Posts
I kind of enjoy riding in the hot Texas summer so I work up to it gradually, starting in springtime to improve heat adaptation. I stick to moderate or easy efforts for 30-60 minutes, two or three times a week -- what some training guides call Zone 1 or 2 at most. I do my harder training efforts indoors or in the early morning or at night.
I just got a Wahoo Tickr heart rate monitor to be sure I keep my efforts in the low to moderate zone for hotter rides. At 61 I know I won't be able to tolerate the midday heat as well as I used to, and HR is a fairly good indicator -- although it depends on meds and other factors. The one OTC med I take most often that affects my heart rate and blood pressure is Sudafed for sinus congestion.
Alcohol, even a single beer, can dramatically affect my heat tolerance. I learned that years ago when I was in my 20s on some 50-125 summer rides in Mexico. I've cut way back on the beer, usually drinking only 2 or 3 a month now with food.
There's a theory that, besides body fat, excessive sugar consumption can adversely affect heat tolerance and even sunburn tolerance. I'd already cut way back on the sugar too and am within 5 lbs of my minimum body fat weight, the least I've weighed since I was in my teens and early 20s. I've been riding without sunscreen this spring. So far, so good, no sun burns. Not very scientific, but I know I used to burn much more easily when I was overweight and ate lots of sugary stuff.
I'm also curious to see whether there's any measurable benefit to Vitamin D and bone health, and natural production of nitric oxide, from moderate exposure to sunlight. I'll probably carry a small container of sunscreen or wipes in case I'm out longer than an hour.
And those theories may be shot down soon by counter-research, so I'm still fairly skeptical.
Besides carrying and drinking plenty of water, I use the Polar insulated bottle to freeze the water/electrolyte solution ahead of time. I fill it half full, freeze it, then add water to top it off. It'll usually stay cool for hours that way. On the hottest days I'll carry a stainless steel double insulated thermos with frozen electrolyte solution. That'll stay frozen for hours. I've had some 12 hour summer days on the bike (plenty of rest breaks along the way), and the contents were still cold after dark. I have to carry a non-insulated or lightly insulated bottle too, because the stainless thermos won't thaw for hours.
I just got a Wahoo Tickr heart rate monitor to be sure I keep my efforts in the low to moderate zone for hotter rides. At 61 I know I won't be able to tolerate the midday heat as well as I used to, and HR is a fairly good indicator -- although it depends on meds and other factors. The one OTC med I take most often that affects my heart rate and blood pressure is Sudafed for sinus congestion.
Alcohol, even a single beer, can dramatically affect my heat tolerance. I learned that years ago when I was in my 20s on some 50-125 summer rides in Mexico. I've cut way back on the beer, usually drinking only 2 or 3 a month now with food.
There's a theory that, besides body fat, excessive sugar consumption can adversely affect heat tolerance and even sunburn tolerance. I'd already cut way back on the sugar too and am within 5 lbs of my minimum body fat weight, the least I've weighed since I was in my teens and early 20s. I've been riding without sunscreen this spring. So far, so good, no sun burns. Not very scientific, but I know I used to burn much more easily when I was overweight and ate lots of sugary stuff.
I'm also curious to see whether there's any measurable benefit to Vitamin D and bone health, and natural production of nitric oxide, from moderate exposure to sunlight. I'll probably carry a small container of sunscreen or wipes in case I'm out longer than an hour.
And those theories may be shot down soon by counter-research, so I'm still fairly skeptical.
Besides carrying and drinking plenty of water, I use the Polar insulated bottle to freeze the water/electrolyte solution ahead of time. I fill it half full, freeze it, then add water to top it off. It'll usually stay cool for hours that way. On the hottest days I'll carry a stainless steel double insulated thermos with frozen electrolyte solution. That'll stay frozen for hours. I've had some 12 hour summer days on the bike (plenty of rest breaks along the way), and the contents were still cold after dark. I have to carry a non-insulated or lightly insulated bottle too, because the stainless thermos won't thaw for hours.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: SW Fl.
Posts: 5,619
Bikes: Day6 Semi Recumbent "FIREBALL", 1981 Custom Touring Paramount, 1983 Road Paramount, 2013 Giant Propel Advanced SL3, 2018 Specialized Red Roubaix Expert mech., 2002 Magna 7sp hybrid, 1976 Bassett Racing 45sp Cruiser
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1069 Post(s)
Liked 788 Times
in
505 Posts
My iPod keeps me company on my late-night and early-morning rides. Most often my start is shortly after midnight to this tune on the iPod ----
Began this ride at 11:51pm on June 1st to plot my 46th anniversary ride that I began 11 minutes later.
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/3706825387
This was the 12:02am start on June 2nd for my 46th wedding anniversary ride ----
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/3706889887
Began this ride at 11:51pm on June 1st to plot my 46th anniversary ride that I began 11 minutes later.
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/3706825387
This was the 12:02am start on June 2nd for my 46th wedding anniversary ride ----
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/3706889887
#13
Senior Member
The heat hasn’t bothered me so much until this year. I started doing some pre-sunrise rides but lack of breakfast didn’t help. This morning, I walked while it was dark. Then I did some kettlebell exercises then had a smoothie for breakfast. I rode at 7:30 so it was light but still under 80°. I felt better than I have in a while. I will try again tomorrow if this is my new routine.
#14
Life Feeds On Life
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Hondo,Texas
Posts: 2,143
Bikes: Too many Motobecanes
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4426 Post(s)
Liked 4,534 Times
in
3,032 Posts
I’m freezing in June in Portland Oregon now to a South Texan that’s crazy but the locals are in pants and hoodies too so I’m fitting right in. Back home in Hondo it was 100 with a 105 heat index I’m glad I’m here right now.
#15
vespertine member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Land of Angora, Turkey
Posts: 2,476
Bikes: Yes
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 687 Post(s)
Liked 220 Times
in
163 Posts
That's one part of living in the South that I do not miss! I'll happily take a few months well below freezing in exchange for perfect summer days with daylight until 9PM.
Even in the upper Midwest, I notice people still ride early to "beat the heat". They also ride super early on purpose. 4:45 AM? Seriously?!
Even in the upper Midwest, I notice people still ride early to "beat the heat". They also ride super early on purpose. 4:45 AM? Seriously?!
#16
Me duelen las nalgas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 13,513
Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel
Mentioned: 199 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4560 Post(s)
Liked 2,802 Times
in
1,800 Posts
I'm doing the opposite of trying to beat the heat. June is usually my transition month for heat adaptation. Typically, including this month, we'll have mostly cool or just pleasantly warm days in April-June, then suddenly it'll get hot, with little transition.
Sure 'nuff, both of my 35-45 mile road bike rides with a group this week have been on the hottest days of the year, with temps jumping from 60-70 last week to 90s this week, with heat index peaking over 110F.
On Tuesday evening I was doing fine until the 30 mile mark. Then I noticed on the turnaround after a brief rest, I wasn't sweating. Bad sign. I slowed down, chugged more water with electroytes and a gel with caffeine. I was just starting to feel dizzy and headachy. And by the time I got home after 45 miles my head was throbbing -- in part due to a sudden barometric pressure drop before a t-storm that night.
On Thursday it was so dang hot four of us split from the regular group and took a slow and easy piddle pedal. One fellow still was on the verge of heat exhaustion. Temp index was 111F. We stopped for an hour to cool off before heading back.
By July I'll be heat adapted and able to ride pretty hard midday. But June is always tough. The trick is to recognize the warning signs and ease up. Sometimes just 5% lower effort is enough to get through a rough ride.
Sure 'nuff, both of my 35-45 mile road bike rides with a group this week have been on the hottest days of the year, with temps jumping from 60-70 last week to 90s this week, with heat index peaking over 110F.
On Tuesday evening I was doing fine until the 30 mile mark. Then I noticed on the turnaround after a brief rest, I wasn't sweating. Bad sign. I slowed down, chugged more water with electroytes and a gel with caffeine. I was just starting to feel dizzy and headachy. And by the time I got home after 45 miles my head was throbbing -- in part due to a sudden barometric pressure drop before a t-storm that night.
On Thursday it was so dang hot four of us split from the regular group and took a slow and easy piddle pedal. One fellow still was on the verge of heat exhaustion. Temp index was 111F. We stopped for an hour to cool off before heading back.
By July I'll be heat adapted and able to ride pretty hard midday. But June is always tough. The trick is to recognize the warning signs and ease up. Sometimes just 5% lower effort is enough to get through a rough ride.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: SW Fl.
Posts: 5,619
Bikes: Day6 Semi Recumbent "FIREBALL", 1981 Custom Touring Paramount, 1983 Road Paramount, 2013 Giant Propel Advanced SL3, 2018 Specialized Red Roubaix Expert mech., 2002 Magna 7sp hybrid, 1976 Bassett Racing 45sp Cruiser
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1069 Post(s)
Liked 788 Times
in
505 Posts
94.7°F with index at 105°F an hour ago and hotter in next few days. Heading out around midnight +/- for a 100 +/- miler and expect temps to be low/mid 80's°F when I start. Should be a beautiful and quiet night.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Alabama
Posts: 519
Bikes: Konas: Jake the Snake-Fire Mountain-Zing Supreme, Dew Deluxe,Zone Ltd. (frame, needs parts), Surly Long Haul Trucker, Santana Arriva tandem, Montagues: Paratrooper-Fit, Trek 1200, Bianchi Ocelot, Fantom Cross Uno, Bridgestone 200
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 108 Post(s)
Liked 227 Times
in
122 Posts
Visiting family in NM, and doing a little scouting for myself as I plan on riding Tour de Taco in Oct.
Temps are very nice in the morning, and the wind is usually at its lightest, too. Not much elevation gain in this area of the high plains, but the wind can be a booger when it picks up.
Temps are very nice in the morning, and the wind is usually at its lightest, too. Not much elevation gain in this area of the high plains, but the wind can be a booger when it picks up.
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18883 Post(s)
Liked 10,646 Times
in
6,054 Posts
I ran into snow Monday on Desolation Peak. Had to wear sunscreen on the way up.
#20
Senior Member
In my area of Florida, I’ve been trying to be clicked in and pedaling by 0715 ! It’s still 80 degrees, and humidity very high, but I’m able to avoid the sun beating down for a couple hours !
#21
Sophomore Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 2,531
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1628 Post(s)
Liked 1,059 Times
in
633 Posts
Miss home? If you get a chance to ride in the summer rain, definitely try it. I love PNW weather, too bad it's so hard to find work. I'd love to retire there, that or Cambria, CA.
#22
Life Feeds On Life
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Hondo,Texas
Posts: 2,143
Bikes: Too many Motobecanes
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4426 Post(s)
Liked 4,534 Times
in
3,032 Posts
Yup, I miss home in Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, March, April and first part of May. Back in 2005 I flew to Seattle to visit The Olympic Peninsula and it was great and I thought I was white! I ain’t white as those Port Angeles folks they look like they came out of coffins now I’m just kidding of course so no one get all offended but I’m fair skinned blued eyed white boy and up there I had a tan. But yes I love the Pacific NW.
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Northampton, MA
Posts: 1,909
Bikes: 36" Unicycle, winter knock-around hybrid bike
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 930 Post(s)
Liked 393 Times
in
282 Posts
Alarm is set for 3:20, its 1:40 and I'm still awake. Oops.
Thats what happens after a busy evening madly trying to get ready...
Guess I pretend for another hour and then start getting up.
Thats what happens after a busy evening madly trying to get ready...
Guess I pretend for another hour and then start getting up.
#25
☢
Its either early mornings rides or nights. For years I was a nightrider. Rarely if ever venturing out in the afternoon, particularly during those dog days of summer when its too hot to sleep.