North Texas cyclist here… my tips for riding in blazing heat are: Never let sun touch skin. Wear long sleeved 50 spf fishing shirts and soft shell long sleeved pants. It is like full shade for your body- cooler than skin baking in direct sun. I find sunscreen only makes my skin hot and slimy and doesn’t let my pores breathe or cool down my skin properly. I also have a Bivo water bottle I keep filled with ice water for drinking and pouring on my sleeves or head, and a second water bottle filled with Nuun hydration. Plus a third bottle with more ice water. Heat exhaustion can come on suddenly with no warning signs, so I always have someone I can call for rescue in case of emergency. I will stop the moment I feel light headed or weird in any way. Once your core temp goes too high, it is so hard to cool it down again. I have bailed on rides when the temps are over 101, because the risk of heat stroke isn’t worth it to me. In my late 50s, my body isn’t as efficient at cooling itself as it used to be. I recently bought a lightweight 50spf umbrella as well, with the idea that if I need to take a break in the blazing Texas sun, I can at least have my own shade. I keep the umbrella in my front bag. Haven’t used it yet (it has been too windy) but I figured it might come in handy.
I love the umbrella idea, that is genius. Have to agree with you concerning sunscreen, I seem to perspire using it. Excellent points, many thanks for chiming in!
I can second your advice to watch your heart rate. When I can get them I add Berocca tablets to my bottles. I also would recommend you look for the Bivo stainless steel insulated bottles. Even after a 3 or 4 hour ride the ice is still ice as long as you top off with cold water. Cold water is more refreshing and easier to drink. They are so much easier to drink from rather than the plastic bottles. I drink much more. I live and ride in Japan where the summer temperatures is now mid to high 30’s with wicked humidity. Never fun to have to flea the flea bitten four legged mongrels. Something I have only experienced once in over 30 years of riding here. I would only half fill the racing pack bladder and let it freeze. Top off with water before heading out. Great content as always.
Yo GC! Fellow youtuber here and big fan. I ride in Central Texas - as bad Florida but without the trees for shade because we are out of the pine forest and in the prairie. My own tips to add are wear one of the newer jerseys that's really airy/meshy. Get your hair cut as short as you can stand it. Use a rear radar so you can ride on the shaded side of the road if the road is remote with hardly any traffic. Your hat works for you, but for me, as much airflow to the head as possible. Fill your camelbak full of ice water. If you are going uphill with the wind, back off the effort big time or you will get cooked alive. Get a light colored hydration pack instead of a black one to keep the water cool. Unzip your jersey when going uphill, ride upright when going with the wind. Most extreme is to bring an extra bottle of water just to spray yourself down when it's getting really hot.
Excellent tips, I am way overdue for a haircut... usually, I have skin showing on the sides of my noggin at least :) I didn't show it in this video, but I too use the radar trick for very quiet roads.
@@GravelCyclist Yeah we have to be careful and not be liable for telling people to ride on the left side of the road. A quiet road with no center stripe… is there even a left or right side? ;)
I usually stick to MTB trails during the summer since most of the trail systems are under tree cover. The Nuun tablets LGC likes are life savers. God it’s rough in FL during July/August. Makes me really miss my gravel and road bikes during these times. They stay sadly mounted in the garage 😅
I have always ridden with a hydration pack rather than bottles, even on the road bike. Add ice to the pack to keep the core temp down for sure, but use caution freezing the bladder. Some of them will split after some freeze/thaw cycles. Honey Stinger Stroopwafels and Hammer gels for the nutrition, and occasionally some homemade peanut butter rice krispy squares 😁😁 We're in Colorado so the heat is certainly different than yours!
Those hydration packs are great. I usually freeze drinking water in the bladder so I can drink ice cold water during long hot rides. Also keep my back cold. LGC looking comfortable on the Domane+. What was that thing hanging off the front of her handlebar?
Appreciate your comment. I was thinking about freezing the bladder as you suggest. LGC's handlebar bag is by Route Werks, detailed review here - ruclips.net/video/Co4lWe1z9Cs/видео.html
I nearly died doing a 100K ride in Phoenix when it was a "cool" ~97F outside. I'm a former Cat. 2 and I'm fit, and I still went down. Heat can fucking kill you; that's why we have Zwift.
194 miles into the Davis DC on a triple digit day I was heat stressed. I drank plenty of water, I could hear it sloshing in my stomach, but it wouldn't absorb. A little old lady at the aid station fixed me up with some hot chicken noddle soup. Back on the bike in 5 minutes and up to speed for a 10 hour finish.
Oh yeah Bro, we get the same here in Texas too with the heat and the rain. I live outside of Houston and have been caught in the rain so many times. It feels great in 107 degrees temps hahaha
In response to your asking for our ride nutrition: I tend to do better riding on an empty stomach and don't eat anything unless it's a very long ride. I also found that riding with a button up fishing unbuttoned works great for keeping me cooler. The fishermen have it figured out. Once you get sweaty and the wind hits your skin, it feels great. You tend to be leaning a little forward, so the sun isn't beating down on your exposed skin.
Funny you mention empty stomach pre-ride. I do the same, but for this four hour ride, I took in about 450 calories. Didn't bonk riding nice steady tempo. Overall, I consumed one bottle of mix, 1.5 bottles of water, and Coke at the gas station. Bottles being standard 20oz bidon size. Interesting fisherman tips!
Oklahoma heat index 😅 I use a Camelback hydration pack 40oz size with mix for longer rides (2 1/2hrs+) and a lg water bottle filled with water which I can squirt down the neck or back as needed for cooling or at the occasional chasing dog. The hydration pack is insulated so keeps the mix cooler. There’s precious little tree canopy and mostly full sun. The heat will elevate my heart rate so I try and pace my efforts accordingly.
6:30 a.m. "bloody hell!!" I prefer the later morning. I just ride with no jersey😉. No sunblock. I shine like a diamond in the summer when my sweat magnifies the striations of my muscles and glisten like DIAMONDs . BTW, you will never get cool riding next to that HOT LGC! "I have a savage beast in my hands" is something I say quite a bit. 😆😅😂 Did you say, "AGUA". That was so hot! Holy Moly! Great escape from the pup!! He is usually behind the fence when I ride by there. I'll make sure to watch for him next time.
Just got back from a ride only about 14 miles but did a lot single track and rocky stuff combined with rail trail. folsom 100 degrees. Hot for me. Lots of rest breaks and lots of water. Thought I was going to die but did not lol. I think 95 degrees is my sweetspot.
Dropping avg speed a couple mph makes a huge difference, and humidity tends to drop off after early morning, so starting at 8am is not a bad idea in S.FL
Similar conditions to summer riding here in South East Queensland. If I can wake up, I try to go out very early, like 5 am early. The humidity is the killer for me, causes me no end of strife!
Man, the heat here in Central FL has been torture this summer. I try to ride at day break, but even that has proven to be tough as well.. I just read something about "Hot Training" and I cant help but feel like the folks that wrote it havent experienced the Fire of Florida Sun!
Ok well apparently you don’t live in places like Bakersfield it’s been 108/106 deg. & even with the AC on inside it doesn’t get any cooler then 80deg. You can’t even open your eyes all the way & no one or thing goes out in the day. It’s either early morning or night time the evenings are very hot. I’m only hear working but I’ve been heard 3 weeks & the temps aren’t always this hot I guess just my luck. 😂🤯
The temperatures you describe are like an oven with the low humidity. Very different to North Florida, reminiscent of my home state of South Australia. Just like riding in an oven!
Doesn't matter to me HOW hot it is - better than running for exercise. I've seen them on days that weren't even among the very hottest - they always look like they are in abject misery. At least I've always got a breeze...
We have had a max of about 25 degrees and that was about 2 days, been hovering around 12 to 18 most summer with the odd wee day above 20. Rain, wind, we've had it all, coldest summer for about 50 years apparently...
That's the one thing which irks me with backroad riding - irresponsible dog owners allowing their pets to run loose without any supervision. They could get hit by vehicle, injured or run away. SMDH.
North Texas cyclist here… my tips for riding in blazing heat are:
Never let sun touch skin. Wear long sleeved 50 spf fishing shirts and soft shell long sleeved pants. It is like full shade for your body- cooler than skin baking in direct sun. I find sunscreen only makes my skin hot and slimy and doesn’t let my pores breathe or cool down my skin properly.
I also have a Bivo water bottle I keep filled with ice water for drinking and pouring on my sleeves or head, and a second water bottle filled with Nuun hydration. Plus a third bottle with more ice water.
Heat exhaustion can come on suddenly with no warning signs, so I always have someone I can call for rescue in case of emergency. I will stop the moment I feel light headed or weird in any way. Once your core temp goes too high, it is so hard to cool it down again. I have bailed on rides when the temps are over 101, because the risk of heat stroke isn’t worth it to me. In my late 50s, my body isn’t as efficient at cooling itself as it used to be.
I recently bought a lightweight 50spf umbrella as well, with the idea that if I need to take a break in the blazing Texas sun, I can at least have my own shade. I keep the umbrella in my front bag. Haven’t used it yet (it has been too windy) but I figured it might come in handy.
I love the umbrella idea, that is genius. Have to agree with you concerning sunscreen, I seem to perspire using it. Excellent points, many thanks for chiming in!
I can second your advice to watch your heart rate. When I can get them I add Berocca tablets to my bottles. I also would recommend you look for the Bivo stainless steel insulated bottles. Even after a 3 or 4 hour ride the ice is still ice as long as you top off with cold water. Cold water is more refreshing and easier to drink. They are so much easier to drink from rather than the plastic bottles. I drink much more. I live and ride in Japan where the summer temperatures is now mid to high 30’s with wicked humidity. Never fun to have to flea the flea bitten four legged mongrels. Something I have only experienced once in over 30 years of riding here. I would only half fill the racing pack bladder and let it freeze. Top off with water before heading out. Great content as always.
Thank you, I will look into Bivo bottles, greatly appreciate this tip.
Always love the general mayhem part. Never ceases up get me to crack a smile.
Yo GC! Fellow youtuber here and big fan. I ride in Central Texas - as bad Florida but without the trees for shade because we are out of the pine forest and in the prairie. My own tips to add are wear one of the newer jerseys that's really airy/meshy. Get your hair cut as short as you can stand it. Use a rear radar so you can ride on the shaded side of the road if the road is remote with hardly any traffic. Your hat works for you, but for me, as much airflow to the head as possible. Fill your camelbak full of ice water. If you are going uphill with the wind, back off the effort big time or you will get cooked alive. Get a light colored hydration pack instead of a black one to keep the water cool. Unzip your jersey when going uphill, ride upright when going with the wind. Most extreme is to bring an extra bottle of water just to spray yourself down when it's getting really hot.
Excellent tips, I am way overdue for a haircut... usually, I have skin showing on the sides of my noggin at least :) I didn't show it in this video, but I too use the radar trick for very quiet roads.
In my experience, short hair is equal to sweat in my eye's 😄
@@GravelCyclist Yeah we have to be careful and not be liable for telling people to ride on the left side of the road. A quiet road with no center stripe… is there even a left or right side? ;)
I ride later in the evening during the dog days of summer. The sunsets are a bonus.
Like you, that is my normal routine once work has wrapped up for the day. This particular ride was recorded on a Saturday. Thank you for chiming in!
Greetings from cold, wet Ireland!! Loved this video. New subscriber here 👍
Thanks mate! I've yet to visit your fine country.
I usually stick to MTB trails during the summer since most of the trail systems are under tree cover. The Nuun tablets LGC likes are life savers. God it’s rough in FL during July/August. Makes me really miss my gravel and road bikes during these times. They stay sadly mounted in the garage 😅
I have always ridden with a hydration pack rather than bottles, even on the road bike. Add ice to the pack to keep the core temp down for sure, but use caution freezing the bladder. Some of them will split after some freeze/thaw cycles. Honey Stinger Stroopwafels and Hammer gels for the nutrition, and occasionally some homemade peanut butter rice krispy squares 😁😁 We're in Colorado so the heat is certainly different than yours!
Those hydration packs are great. I usually freeze drinking water in the bladder so I can drink ice cold water during long hot rides. Also keep my back cold. LGC looking comfortable on the Domane+. What was that thing hanging off the front of her handlebar?
Appreciate your comment. I was thinking about freezing the bladder as you suggest. LGC's handlebar bag is by Route Werks, detailed review here - ruclips.net/video/Co4lWe1z9Cs/видео.html
I’m just north of you in worthington springs. Great riding in untouched farmland.
Let us hope it never, ever, changes. I used to live near La Crosse when I first moved to the area.
I live in Memphis and the heat and humidity here are also pretty intense. We don't get the daily showers though. Thanks for all the tips!
Love Memphis, had the pleasure of riding about the city a few years ago. I posted a ride experience video to the channel.
I nearly died doing a 100K ride in Phoenix when it was a "cool" ~97F outside. I'm a former Cat. 2 and I'm fit, and I still went down. Heat can fucking kill you; that's why we have Zwift.
194 miles into the Davis DC on a triple digit day I was heat stressed. I drank plenty of water, I could hear it sloshing in my stomach, but it wouldn't absorb. A little old lady at the aid station fixed me up with some hot chicken noddle soup. Back on the bike in 5 minutes and up to speed for a 10 hour finish.
Nice one!
Oh yeah Bro, we get the same here in Texas too with the heat and the rain. I live outside of Houston and have been caught in the rain so many times. It feels great in 107 degrees temps hahaha
Had a feeling Houston was similar, whee!!!
Very early morning when the shadows are long, is the best time for me in Central Florida
I understand the appeal, but I like to sleep in zzzz
In response to your asking for our ride nutrition: I tend to do better riding on an empty stomach and don't eat anything unless it's a very long ride. I also found that riding with a button up fishing unbuttoned works great for keeping me cooler. The fishermen have it figured out. Once you get sweaty and the wind hits your skin, it feels great. You tend to be leaning a little forward, so the sun isn't beating down on your exposed skin.
Funny you mention empty stomach pre-ride. I do the same, but for this four hour ride, I took in about 450 calories. Didn't bonk riding nice steady tempo. Overall, I consumed one bottle of mix, 1.5 bottles of water, and Coke at the gas station. Bottles being standard 20oz bidon size. Interesting fisherman tips!
Oklahoma heat index 😅 I use a Camelback hydration pack 40oz size with mix for longer rides (2 1/2hrs+) and a lg water bottle filled with water which I can squirt down the neck or back as needed for cooling or at the occasional chasing dog. The hydration pack is insulated so keeps the mix cooler. There’s precious little tree canopy and mostly full sun. The heat will elevate my heart rate so I try and pace my efforts accordingly.
Appreciate the insights, thank you.
6:30 a.m. "bloody hell!!" I prefer the later morning.
I just ride with no jersey😉. No sunblock. I shine like a diamond in the summer when my sweat magnifies the striations of my muscles and glisten like DIAMONDs .
BTW, you will never get cool riding next to that HOT LGC!
"I have a savage beast in my hands" is something I say quite a bit. 😆😅😂
Did you say, "AGUA". That was so hot!
Holy Moly! Great escape from the pup!! He is usually behind the fence when I ride by there. I'll make sure to watch for him next time.
Hahaha nice one Carlos. The little turd has a spot along the fence he can crawl beneath. As you saw, he can haul arse!
Just got back from a ride only about 14 miles but did a lot single track and rocky stuff combined with rail trail. folsom 100 degrees. Hot for me. Lots of rest breaks and lots of water. Thought I was going to die but did not lol. I think 95 degrees is my sweetspot.
Love your tracking ability. Lol
Nutrition: fig bars are a favorite. Dates are also a good snack.
Dropping avg speed a couple mph makes a huge difference, and humidity tends to drop off after early morning, so starting at 8am is not a bad idea in S.FL
I have never ridden in SoFLA, I need to make it happen some day soon.
Similar conditions to summer riding here in South East Queensland. If I can wake up, I try to go out very early, like 5 am early. The humidity is the killer for me, causes me no end of strife!
Sydneysider here and 5 to 5:30am is my start time.
Ditto in Vietnam
100%, humidity is the real killer in this part of the world.
Man, the heat here in Central FL has been torture this summer. I try to ride at day break, but even that has proven to be tough as well.. I just read something about "Hot Training" and I cant help but feel like the folks that wrote it havent experienced the Fire of Florida Sun!
100%, I feel this year's Central and NorFLA Summer has been hotter and more humid than normal.
I've found that a blast from the water bottle will usually get a dog that's being too close and aggressive to back right off!
A small air horn works amazingly well also.
I was too focused on filming the little turd on this occasion 😀
You were baptized in more ways than one.
Btw that rain was nothing compared to the one in Indiana 😊 Bloody hell
Somehow I dodged at least two storm systems during this ride. And yes, that Indiana ride, I hope to ride the course in its entirety someday.
I echo the comment about ice in a Camelbak-type bladder, and also suggest insulated water bottles (Camelbaks are the best I think)
I am looking forward to trying out the Apidura pack I received, loaded with ice water.
You should consider carrying a boat whistle. Noon leadership Doug deterrent. That Pitbull was scary.
Jayson just join me at like 2pm for the daily heat training
Dude, I would if it wasn't for the 40 hour a week job precluding fun activities at that time.
Tune in next week when we demonstrate how to ride through a twister!
We have ridden during a tropical storm, shame about there being no footage of that.
Substance of choice; small chocolate donuts and a Pepsi.
Love this.
Ok well apparently you don’t live in places like Bakersfield it’s been 108/106 deg. & even with the AC on inside it doesn’t get any cooler then 80deg. You can’t even open your eyes all the way & no one or thing goes out in the day. It’s either early morning or night time the evenings are very hot. I’m only hear working but I’ve been heard 3 weeks & the temps aren’t always this hot I guess just my luck. 😂🤯
The temperatures you describe are like an oven with the low humidity. Very different to North Florida, reminiscent of my home state of South Australia. Just like riding in an oven!
Doesn't matter to me HOW hot it is - better than running for exercise. I've seen them on days that weren't even among the very hottest - they always look like they are in abject misery. At least I've always got a breeze...
Hard pass on running here, ever!
I'm in south Alabama
Lovely area!
Summer heat? What's that? From Scotland......
Been awful this year.
I must know, what has your highest temperature been? Or, Summer average? The humidity here is a royal MF'er.
We have had a max of about 25 degrees and that was about 2 days, been hovering around 12 to 18 most summer with the odd wee day above 20. Rain, wind, we've had it all, coldest summer for about 50 years apparently...
This sounds less than optimal for outdoor fun.
That's the one thing which irks me with backroad riding - irresponsible dog owners allowing their pets to run loose without any supervision. They could get hit by vehicle, injured or run away. SMDH.
Agreed, I do wish the owners would fence the the property line to keep their canine friends safe.