VegasJen

Well, I will give you a hint....

andrewclaus

I cycle and hike all winter in southern Arizona. The hikers I know that continue outdoor activities during the summer switch to biking, citing the cooling effects of the self-generated breeze. But there are limits even for the desert rats and crazy people, and I'm sure you reach them more often down there in Vegas.

VegasJen

Indeed. I did ride this morning and it wasn't bad, even if the temp was pushing 90* by the time I finished at 11am. But in about a month pretty much all the way through August, even overnight temps will often stay well into the 80s. That will be the really hard part of keeping my routine. In the summers, I tend to dial back the intensity and increase the duration, but hydration is always a factor. As someone above noted, by the time you feel thirsty, you're already dehydrated. Very easy to do out here.

CAT7RDR

I have experienced two episodes of heat exhaustion.
The first was as a young man playing pickup outside basketball games for a few hours in about 90F heat without proper hydration.
I could not keep water down, collapsed from hypotension, and required an ER visit and received four IV bags before I could urinate and be discharged.

I did not learn my lesson and had my second episode at 57 y/o last year while on a 60 mile 7K gain bike ride in about 90F heat and moderate humidity.
I lost my power on the last 2 mile climb and pushed on to the top. My pulse was racing, and I ran out of water at the bottom of the climb.
When I tried to clip-out near a drinking fountain, my leg spasmed and I fell onto my side onto some ivy and fainted.

I came to fairly quick but now both legs went into a full spasm. I finally kicked out of my SPD's and was able to right myself and wobble over to the fountain and drank about a quart and showered myself with cool water for several minutes in the shade. This time I was able to keep the water down and ate some fig newtons. So after about 30 minutes, and finding a gear I could use because I now had a bent dr hanger, I limped home another five miles.

Since then, I error on the side of caution and will take up to four bottles with me on harder routes if I cannot guarantee myself cool water stops along the way and some shade. I like riding where I know I will have some tree canopies. Finally, I do not want to start a ride knowing it will finish above 90F. I will start at dawn and shorten the ride to keep within my acceptable range.

rumrunn6

from Ready.gov

Korina

Good advice. One thing I learned in first aid training was with heat exhaustion or heat stroke NEVER put someone in an ice bath. The cold will close off the capillaries, causing the body to hold onto the heat, causing all manner of havoc. Only tepid to cool water.

Which reminds me, it's well past time to renew my training. Stoopid plague.

rumrunn6

I've been fortunate so far this year. partly due to family matters keeping me off the bikes. today would be a great day to try a ride, but close to water. here's hoping a bunch of yoos are out there, riding & swimming!

Ghazmh

A hot one today for sure ‘round here.

dennis336

Probably around 10 years ago I rode my second century ... the temperature by the end was well into the 90s with pretty high humidity. Combine that with my own inexperience on hydration for long rides in the heat, I felt really, really bad by around the 80 mile mark. I finished but I NEVER want to feel that way again. I'm pretty conscious now (at just shy of 69) about pushing myself too much in the heat. During this most recent heat wave, I got out a couple days on Thursday and Saturday by 7:00 AM and did a couple of 40/45 mile rides so I could be done by 10:15 while the heat hadn't gotten too bad.

stevel610 

Heat wave going on. I got out for a 20 mile ride at 10am and temp in the 80's. Took my touring bike because it has 3 water bottle holders. Used 2 of the bottles.

2manybikes

I guess there are not a lot of experienced high heat riders where I live.

I started riding in the heat at least 50 years ago. Got pretty tired, but I listen to my body when it complains. I slow down when needed. Yesterday afternoon it was about 98F when I stopped for an ice-cold strawberry milk shake in the shade. When I left the house, about noon it was well over 100. when I got home about 6:00 it was still 93f in the shade.

I know it's hot but WTF .... | Flickr

rumrunn6

had to work my gig job in lumber & building materials. for 4 hours was moving palettes & concrete by hand outside, inside, back & forth, cutting plywood, driving the forklifts. was glad to get out & shower up. gonna hit the pool in a minute too!

& guess what I thought of. this thread

2manybikes

You win. Worse than my ride.

noimagination

I've not yet been "on the brink" due to heat while riding, but I have felt drained. I try to take it easier on hot rides, and treat them as active recovery or, at the most, aerobic rides.
I tend to drink (and sweat) a lot on the bike, but the worst I've ever felt was due more to hot feet. Feet are close to the pavement, and don't get as much evaporative cooling, and they can swell, so if you don't pay attention and loosen your shoes when necessary, you can get pretty bad hot spots, or cramps.
The only time I've suffered from dehydration was actually in the winter. I was xc skiing, fresh powder, breaking trail the whole way (I was solo), and I hadn't brought enough to drink I wasn't sweating much, most of the fluid loss was probably occurring during breathing, but I was staggering by the time I got back to my car.

onekgguy

I don't tend to have an issue with being all that far from the shelter of a convenience store when I'm out on longish road rides here where I live south of Minneapolis. Gravel rides can be another matter. In that case, I'm careful to not allow myself to get in over my head, always taking enough water and food along for an extended stay away from civilization. My lean body frame tends to keep me from overheating too badly although it's still a consideration.

Kevin g