Bald Paul

I found the same thing. I am 71 and on BP meds, but don't know if that has anything to do with it. When it's really hot and humid, like it has been here lately, I find that even on a short ride my HR is elevated and doesn't recover like it should. If I do go out, I have to ride at a very relaxed pace and try to keep my watts down. I had heat exhaustion a few years ago on a hot ride, and it seems since then I have little tolerance for riding in the heat.
Zwift and my air conditioned, fan blown "man cave" room isn't as satisfying as riding outdoors, but it's a lot healthier.

pepperbelly

I’m only 65 and the heat gets to me.
I had possible heat exhaustion years ago throwing an asphalt patch in 95* heat and high humidity. My pulse went way up and mt bp got really liw.
I also take bp meds.
This just ain’t our summer guys.

Classtime 

My brother dropped a bunch of pounds, went more plant based, got off his BP meds, and handles the North Texas heat very well—much better than me who lives by the beach in SoCal. But he’s only 63.

big john

Near 90 is balmy.

shelbyfv

I think I've read that we can become even more susceptible after additional episodes. My tolerance is now so low that I suffer after even two hours in this heat. Not worth going out for, IMO.

GhostRider62

Given sufficient fluids and slower pace, I found that riding in low humidity western states with temps in the 105-115F were not as bad as 95-100F back East, actually not really comparable. When you cannot evaporate sweat, the risks are quite different. I know this feeling of mine goes against the heat index charts but that is what I found for myself. As I get older and even when acclimated to heat, I really have to slow down in it

rumrunn6

riding in the heat is more difficult, no doubt, I just don't push myself. if I'm moving, I'm happy. biking near the coast, last week, was waaay easier. back home, the heat, humidity & bugs are a real joy

locolobo13 

So far so good. As said above acclimation is key. I commute 4-5 days a week. Year round. 5mi to work. 5-7 mi back to the park n ride. On the weekends go for a longer rec ride.

It's weird but the toughest time is when the temps are changing. When they first get over 100 I feel it. Started taking it easy, Don't worry about extra distance or speed in the afternoons. Shortened my weekend rides. Also take more breaks. Here in the big city there's a fast food or convenience place within a couple of mi.

The last bit of advice comes from Jack LaLanne. Listen to your body. If you're feeling it take a break. Cool off, relax.

https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/heat-exhaustion

pepperbelly

Getting off bp meds is my goal. My bp has been steadily lowering as has my weight. I quit smoking 5 years ago and had a comprehensive pulmonology test last year. My cardiologist gave me a stress test in January. I was good. I weighed 305 when I saw him. I see him at the end of yhis month for a followup. I will be 75 pounds lighter. Everything is good-no damage after 42 years of smoking.
I’m losing weight, not smoking, getting back in shape. I am getting close to my goal of embarrassing my doctor by dying of absolutely nothing.

blacknbluebikes 

The risk-reward tradeoff in 100+ is dubious. This seems like a "you're OK until you're NOT" scenario. If the workout is that important, any trainer in front of a fan shouldn't be a question.

Me: Well, I thought I'd be OK.
Wife: you're stupid
Me: I did it fine years ago.
Wife: the ambulance was $400 and we haven't seen the ER bill yet.
Me: you know I'm doing what I love to do, that's all
Wife: you're stupid

pepperbelly

I have been spending time at the gym but it isn’t the same.
I am also beginning to come to terms with some age limitations. I don’t like or agree with them but my body just doesn’t respond like it used to, and I ain’t happy about it.

freeranger

I do ride in heat (hate it combo'd with high humidity!). It seems to bother me more than a couple of years ago. Maybe because I missed last riding season due to recuping from an injury. Or it could just be I'm getting older. At the start of this season, did a hilly ride, in mid 90's, and felt wasted after just a few miles and hills in. Did most of the same ride the other day in mid 80's and felt fine. Could be the combo of missing a season, heat, or could be part of aging. Guess since I'm riding this season, the beginning of next season will tell.

Iride01 

If you ride your bike slow in the heat, then you'll heat up quick and should probably only do very short rides. If your route lets you average 14 mph or better, you are probably good for any length. 16 mph or better and you probably won't notice the heat as long as you are sweating enough and don't get slowed down too often for hills and stops.

Long slow climbs are a consideration and I avoid them in extreme heat of 95°F and greater. So too is any time you have to stop for traffic lights and crossings. So eliminating routes that have a lot of stops required can help too.

Always be looking for shade. Try not to stop in the sunny spots. I was grateful just for the shade from the traffic light pole that is in a big sunny intersection with lots of asphalt and concrete that I had to stop at for a 2 minute light change coming back to my house today after a 90 minute ride.

You do need to get use to the heat though. Don't go out and do your best effort if you haven't done some easier efforts or shorter efforts in the heat.

t2p

lol

short ride late yesterday - started @ 76 degrees and was around 66 degrees when we finished

mornings and evenings have been relatively cool - upper 50’s in the morning last couple of days

pepperbelly

I don’t like you!

t2p

lol

prev ride - last weekend - 73 degrees at the start of the ride and finished in the 60’s ... certainly not typical for end of July

it was much warmer earlier in the week - mid-to-upper 80’s - but then a cold front / rain swept through

our ride was next to the Allegheny River - under a canopy of trees for much of the ride - actually felt good to get out in the open under the sun lol

pepperbelly

I am honestly envious. That looks like a beautiful place to ride.

jon c. 

I'd ride MUPs if I had one like that.

pepperbelly

I have to find another local route. I used to do laps through my small town but they “repaired” some roads-by chip sealing. It’s like loose gravel on the surface.
I spent 20 years in public works and have repaired a lot of roads. This surface is the poorest I have seen. It’s dangerous to ride on.
I guess it’s time to drive to a trail.

Classtime 

You really should have a course to ride from your driveway. You’ll ride more and have more time to ride. Use the Strava heat maps and see where everybody else rides. Added benefit is you don’t have to go into a hot car after your ride.

missinglink

I hate it when they redo a road I like in chip seal like that. Depending on how well traveled it is, and how coarse the chip seal is, it could be many months before it smooths out.

I'm in Ellis county just south of you, BTW.
As far as the heat, I'm fixing to turn 75, and I've gotten to the point where I need to get an early enough start in order to be home by the time the temp hits ~ 92 degrees.

I look back at some of the organized charity rides I've done in the last 10 years, (Cedar Hill, Italy Tx, Waxahachie), all metric centuries, and there's absolutely no way I could survive the heat involved with those at this stage.

I cant personally comment on BP meds playing a part because I don't have any experience with them, but I'd suggest asking your doctor that prescribed them. Just a quick look around the net seems to show that some BP meds can indeed cause heat intolerance.

Best of luck to you.

pepperbelly

There are some high traffic dangerous streets around me. I will figure something out near me but there is a 6 mile loop trail around a small lake about 4 miles away. The scenery should be better.

pepperbelly

The chip seal is coarse and very loose. It is on residential streets in a small suburb so it will be a while before it clears.

rumrunn6

I do that very often. got a good bike rack?

Classtime 

Riding where everybody else rides is a good idea.


https://www.strava.com/heatmap#11.88...0/bluered/ride