Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Road Cycling
Reload this Page >

Temperature - What's your limit?

Notices
Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

Temperature - What's your limit?

Old 07-09-20, 07:42 PM
  #1  
eduskator
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
eduskator's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Québec, Canada
Posts: 2,064

Bikes: SL8 Pro, TCR beater

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 957 Post(s)
Liked 562 Times in 423 Posts
Temperature - What's your limit?

We have had a few heatwaves since the beginning of the summer and it made me wonder...what is everyone's limit when it comes to riding in harsh weather? The outside temp in my area reached 35c/95f today (44c/111f with the humidex factor) and we've been getting 30-35c (85-95f) on a regular basis since 2 weeks now. Very humid all the time unfortunately.

I went out for a ride last week and I had difficulty breathing. I went out this week thinking it would be better, but I simply couldn't get used to it. I am used to ride 100+ kms per weeks, but that temperature is really killing me and to be honest, it's frustrating not being able to ride as much as you are used to. Are any of you currently riding in similar conditions? If not, what's your limit?

Last edited by eduskator; 07-09-20 at 07:51 PM.
eduskator is offline  
Old 07-09-20, 08:06 PM
  #2  
illdrag0n
Senior Member
 
illdrag0n's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 322

Bikes: 2014 Focus Mares AX 2.0, 2019 Cube Litening C:62 Race Disc Teamline

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 121 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 140 Times in 68 Posts
I live in Adelaide South Australia. Our summers can peak at 48c+ - and thats in a metro beachside town (not desert).

25-35c weather here is optimal and what we consider perfect riding weather. North of 35c requires good electrolyte and hydration managment.
15-25c is nice weather, also good for riding but not prime.

under 15c and it's getting cold, we will normally start to layer up. I've been riding in the 0-4c mornings lately as we're in the dead of winter, and some of my suishy in the middle riding partners have been bailing out due to the chill.

It's all about what you're acclimatised to.
illdrag0n is offline  
Old 07-09-20, 08:09 PM
  #3  
WhyFi
Senior Member
 
WhyFi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: TC, MN
Posts: 39,505

Bikes: R3 Disc, Haanjo

Mentioned: 353 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20791 Post(s)
Liked 9,436 Times in 4,663 Posts
I'm not sure - I've never set a hard limit. We've had generally the same weather over the period that you're talking about. I did go out once in the full sun, heat of the day, and I was perfectly fine. That said, I generally try to ride in the mornings - it's cooler, traffic is calmer and it doesn't break up my day with the family as much.
WhyFi is offline  
Old 07-09-20, 08:17 PM
  #4  
Random11
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2020
Location: North Florida
Posts: 510

Bikes: 2019 Specialized Diverge, 2021 Cervelo Caledonia

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 257 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 378 Times in 197 Posts
I live in Florida so I'm used to the heat and humidity. It doesn't bother me too much (95-100F would be a hot day). The biggest issue for me is sweat, soaking my clothes and making it more difficult to hold the bars.
Random11 is offline  
Likes For Random11:
Old 07-09-20, 08:40 PM
  #5  
DrIsotope
Non omnino gravis
 
DrIsotope's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SoCal, USA!
Posts: 8,553

Bikes: Nekobasu, Pandicorn, Lakitu

Mentioned: 119 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4905 Post(s)
Liked 1,731 Times in 958 Posts
Anything above 105ºF just becomes inconvenient. Unless I keep the rides really short, it's just an exercise in riding from water source to water source.

OP, just do what we do here in the inland desert-- head out between 4 and 5am, be home around sunrise. Even at that, sometimes it's 90º by the time the sun comes up.
__________________
DrIsotope is offline  
Old 07-09-20, 08:40 PM
  #6  
Jimmy Wisdom
-__-
 
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Philly
Posts: 24
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Liked 24 Times in 8 Posts
I'm good for just about any kind of ride up to 100°F, assuming I can maintain steady access to water. Did this ride last summer without too much trouble.
Jimmy Wisdom is offline  
Likes For Jimmy Wisdom:
Old 07-09-20, 09:12 PM
  #7  
Carbonfiberboy 
just another gosling
 
Carbonfiberboy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 19,501

Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004

Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3873 Post(s)
Liked 1,920 Times in 1,369 Posts
If 110°F or over was predicted, I don't think I'd go out. On one ride I do almost every year, it's twice been 105° at the bottom of the last pass climb at about mile 100. Those rides went fine. Almost all of that 2400' climb is in the direct sun, with a long switchback near the top next to a dark rock wall about 6' away. The last time it was that hot, they sagged about 100 riders off the course. One of those years we were on our tandem and thus really slow. Starting that last climb there was a young fit looking guy in front of us dressed all in "cool black" to his wrists and ankles. He was riding no hands, arms held straight out at his sides, barely managing our pace. He pulled over pretty soon and I assume was sagged off. Cool black is not, no matter how cool it looks.

That was one of our most memorable tandem rides, though. The last 30 miles were cooler and upwind and we were passing young guys on singles. We had a great time.
__________________
Results matter
Carbonfiberboy is offline  
Old 07-09-20, 09:29 PM
  #8  
tomato coupe
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,879

Bikes: Colnago, Van Dessel, Factor, Cervelo, Ritchey

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3906 Post(s)
Liked 7,182 Times in 2,905 Posts
Protons break down into a quark-gluon plasma at about 2 trillion degrees, so that certainly sets an upper limit on riding outside.
tomato coupe is offline  
Likes For tomato coupe:
Old 07-09-20, 10:13 PM
  #9  
Seattle Forrest
Senior Member
 
Seattle Forrest's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18883 Post(s)
Liked 10,645 Times in 6,054 Posts
Originally Posted by Jimmy Wisdom
I'm good for just about any kind of ride up to 100°F, assuming I can maintain steady access to water. Did this ride last summer without too much trouble.
You did 100 miles with 1,414 of ascent? That's hard to fathom!
Seattle Forrest is offline  
Likes For Seattle Forrest:
Old 07-09-20, 10:29 PM
  #10  
Jimmy Wisdom
-__-
 
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Philly
Posts: 24
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Liked 24 Times in 8 Posts
Originally Posted by Seattle Forrest
You did 100 miles with 1,414 of ascent? That's hard to fathom!
It's not too difficult to keep it to the flats around here if that's what you feel like riding on any given day. With temps that high, I wanted to do a century ride that day, but also didn't want to kill myself. I did a another century ride this past Sunday with temps in the 90s where I did a fair bit more climbing. 🙂
Jimmy Wisdom is offline  
Likes For Jimmy Wisdom:
Old 07-09-20, 10:29 PM
  #11  
HTupolev
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Seattle
Posts: 4,261
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1971 Post(s)
Liked 1,297 Times in 629 Posts
Originally Posted by Seattle Forrest
You did 100 miles with 1,414 of ascent? That's hard to fathom!
East Lake Sammamish and Sammamish River trails have an extremely long stretch of near-perfect flatness. By riding up and down it a few times, you could probably achieve a century with around 500 feet of climbing, maybe even less.
HTupolev is offline  
Likes For HTupolev:
Old 07-09-20, 10:31 PM
  #12  
rousseau
Senior Member
 
rousseau's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Southwestern Ontario
Posts: 2,812
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 111 Post(s)
Liked 38 Times in 21 Posts
I used to ride right into the 30s, but not anymore. What's the point? Now I go for night rides. The comparative coolness of the air in the mid 20s is positively delicious and refreshing. I've barely done any daytime rides this summer.
rousseau is offline  
Old 07-09-20, 10:49 PM
  #13  
SoccerBallXan
Full Member
 
SoccerBallXan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Arizona
Posts: 441

Bikes: Many!

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 186 Post(s)
Liked 206 Times in 124 Posts
I work as a courier during the day in the desert! This Sunday it'll be 117 F and I'll be out there delivering! Short rides, lots of shade, and AMPLE fluids all day are a MUST.

Keep riding, but not too hard!
SoccerBallXan is offline  
Old 07-09-20, 11:44 PM
  #14  
atwl77
Kamen Rider
 
atwl77's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: KL, MY
Posts: 1,071

Bikes: Fuji Transonic Elite, Marechal Soul Ultimate, Dahon Dash Altena

Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 351 Post(s)
Liked 277 Times in 164 Posts
I have no idea what the actual temperatures were, but this has been the hottest I have faced, and would rather not face such heat again if I could help it... but since I ride audax events, I have to take whatever the weather throws at me.

atwl77 is offline  
Old 07-10-20, 05:53 AM
  #15  
jpescatore
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Ashton, MD USA
Posts: 1,296

Bikes: Trek Domane SL6 Disc, Jamis Renegade

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 363 Post(s)
Liked 304 Times in 217 Posts
My weather condition limit (whether cold, heat or wetness) has always been when biking stops being fun and that has changed with age. If you are an endurance athlete or racer, different story - I'm neither.

When I was in my mid 30s I did a century ride in the mid summer (Maryland/Delaware) high 90s in temperature and high humidity and not much shade - not fun. For many years 95f was my limit. I'm now 63, and I am actually in better cycling shape than I was 30 years ago but shadeless rides in the mid 90s are less fun - I either go out earlier in the am or do routes I know are more shaded.

The same thing happened with my cold weather limit - below 35f isn't fun anymore. So, 4 years ago I bought an indoor smart trainer and really enjoy getting mileage in on Zwift over the winter - and have found on those summer hot days or rainy days, I will still get mileage in on the Zwift where older trainers just bored me to tears.

That has made me soft! My "fun" levels are starting to creep away from those limits as rather than bundle up or start a ride very early in the am, it is very easy to have a fun (but not as much fun) ride in the basement!
jpescatore is offline  
Likes For jpescatore:
Old 07-10-20, 06:47 AM
  #16  
Sy Reene
Advocatus Diaboli
 
Sy Reene's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,613

Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX

Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4717 Post(s)
Liked 1,526 Times in 997 Posts
I'll ride in hotter weather, just choosing shorter or less strenuous routes. For whatever reason heat kicks my butt from HR perspective. 2 identical rides, completed in times within seconds of each other, but 10 degree difference:


Cool Ride

Hot Ride
Sy Reene is offline  
Old 07-10-20, 07:19 AM
  #17  
eduskator
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
eduskator's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Québec, Canada
Posts: 2,064

Bikes: SL8 Pro, TCR beater

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 957 Post(s)
Liked 562 Times in 423 Posts
Originally Posted by illdrag0n
I live in Adelaide South Australia. Our summers can peak at 48c+ - and thats in a metro beachside town (not desert).

25-35c weather here is optimal and what we consider perfect riding weather. North of 35c requires good electrolyte and hydration managment.
15-25c is nice weather, also good for riding but not prime.

under 15c and it's getting cold, we will normally start to layer up. I've been riding in the 0-4c mornings lately as we're in the dead of winter, and some of my suishy in the middle riding partners have been bailing out due to the chill.

It's all about what you're acclimatised to.
Indeed. The problem is that we have 4 seasons here and the weather varies from -30c (-22f) in winter to +30-35c (85-95f) in summer. It's hard for a body to constantly adapt
eduskator is offline  
Likes For eduskator:
Old 07-10-20, 08:18 AM
  #18  
Iride01 
I'm good to go!
 
Iride01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,811

Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020

Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6100 Post(s)
Liked 4,732 Times in 3,262 Posts
No limit so far. However if I were in areas where shade is scarce I might change my habits. Here, I do think about which routes are more shady on the near 100°F and higher days. Looks like we have a week of those days starting now.

Water availability determines routes too. I drain my bottles almost twice as fast.
Iride01 is offline  
Old 07-10-20, 08:27 AM
  #19  
ririder
Senior Member
 
ririder's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 93

Bikes: Giant Defy Advanced 2, Giant Talon , Specialized Sequoia, Fuji Crosstown

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 30 Post(s)
Liked 65 Times in 32 Posts
I'm not sure what my upper limit is for temperature yet. I've ridden a lot in the mid 80*f with relatively high humidity. My only complaint so far about riding in hotter temps is when sweat gets in my eyes. I've the gutter headband thing and didn't like that. Recently I've been wearing headsweat beanies that seem to work well so far. I won't usually ride below 40*f unless it's a really nice day.
ririder is offline  
Old 07-10-20, 09:28 AM
  #20  
bikecrate
Senior Member
 
bikecrate's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: LF, APMAT
Posts: 2,752
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 623 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 397 Times in 226 Posts
I also live in FL and if I let humidity and heat stop me I'd never ride in the summer. It takes a while for me to get acclimated, however, and some years I handle it better than others. We have already had heat indexes in triple digits. If I had a limit it would probably be 100 degrees in the afternoon.
bikecrate is offline  
Old 07-10-20, 11:02 AM
  #21  
genejockey 
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
 
genejockey's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 17,662

Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace

Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10247 Post(s)
Liked 11,601 Times in 5,946 Posts
Depends on how late in the season it is, and how much riding I've done that year. September and October are our warmest months, and I'll ride if it's up to 95 F.

But in spring, I find the first warm (>80) day ride sometimes doesn't sit well. I get nauseated, weak, lightheaded sometimes. Weird thing is, it's literally only that one ride. Usually, one week later I can ride at higher temps and greater intensity with zero problems. Mentioned it to my doc, who said, as long as it's only the ONE time every spring, not to worry. So I don't.

EDIT: Note that this is in a place with pretty low humidity, especially when it's hot. Last time I tried riding in the heat and humidity of a Pennsylvania summer, MAN did I suffer! Sweat doesn't evaporate, it just runs off.
__________________
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."

"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
genejockey is offline  
Old 07-10-20, 11:39 AM
  #22  
canklecat
Me duelen las nalgas
 
canklecat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 13,522

Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel

Mentioned: 199 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4559 Post(s)
Liked 2,798 Times in 1,798 Posts
I'll ride in triple digit heat but I dial the effort way back. Not much choice in Texas summer unless I ride early in the morning or at night. And I'm not a morning person, although I did get out this morning at the crack of nine.
canklecat is offline  
Old 07-10-20, 11:47 AM
  #23  
waters60
Senior Member
 
waters60's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 562
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 203 Post(s)
Liked 107 Times in 62 Posts
Originally Posted by Jimmy Wisdom
I'm good for just about any kind of ride up to 100°F, assuming I can maintain steady access to water. Did this ride last summer without too much trouble.
1400’ in 101 miles is a good way to make sure you are not overexerting! Where is this flatness?!
waters60 is offline  
Old 07-10-20, 12:12 PM
  #24  
2manybikes
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 18,138

Bikes: 2 many

Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1266 Post(s)
Liked 323 Times in 169 Posts
A couple of years ago I rode in 114f in the shade temps. I was in the sun saw some shade, and stopped in the shade. It was too hot when stopped, I had to keep going. Low effort and one big bottle every 1.5 hours.
The coldest it's been here when riding is about 15F.

Last edited by 2manybikes; 07-10-20 at 12:46 PM.
2manybikes is offline  
Old 07-10-20, 12:25 PM
  #25  
vandalarchitect
Vandalized since 2002
 
vandalarchitect's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Issaquah, WA
Posts: 632
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14 Post(s)
Liked 14 Times in 9 Posts
Originally Posted by Seattle Forrest
You did 100 miles with 1,414 of ascent? That's hard to fathom!
Originally Posted by HTupolev
East Lake Sammamish and Sammamish River trails have an extremely long stretch of near-perfect flatness. By riding up and down it a few times, you could probably achieve a century with around 500 feet of climbing, maybe even less.
lol, I thought the same ... on both accounts. Just getting to Lake Sammamish and back home gives me around 600 feet of elevation gain. One lap around Lake Sammamish gets me up to 1250 feet. Four laps around the lake would get me close to a century with ~3300 feet of climbing ... from my front door ... YMMV.

Edit: I played some more with a route builder and if you drive to the start of the ELS trail and ride back and forth between Issaquah and Woodinville (just a point I picked, you could continue further), you can get a century done with ~1500 feet of gain. I’d die from boredom though before I finished it.

Last edited by vandalarchitect; 07-10-20 at 12:32 PM.
vandalarchitect is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.