Tips for handling the heat

[yello]

It sounds like the answer's obvious... but maybe I'm overlooking the obvious.

My form noticeably declines in the heat. It's been just a tad over 30c out there today and too hot for me. I tend to ride at 6 or 7am just to avoid the heat of the day but club rides, randonées, etc can take in the afternoon. Weds is club ride day and forecast for 32c... I'll melt in that heat!

Aside from keeping well hydrated, how do folk handle the heat?

 

[MePower]

In French Alps last august, worried about the heat also (especially as i`m a ginger), a mate told me to wear a compression vest. I know it sounds daft to wear more layers, but it really did work as it wicked the sweat away much faster to your top layer, producing a good cooling effect.

 

[ufkacbln]

I commute and use a "Buff"

Wet it, place in a small freezer bag and place in the freezer compartment of the fridge.

Wear in to work and repeat the process with the fridge at work.

The application of an ice cold buff to an overheated head is soothing and lasts for quite a while.

 

[Bugner]

+1 on the Wet Buff. Did a 150k Audax yesterday. Buff, bandana style and re-wet at each checkpoint. Keeps you cool and stops sweat running down your face and therefore, no sun cream in your eyes

 

[upandover]

When buying ice-lolly to eat while cycling along, choose safe, reflective flavour such as strawberry or lemon

• Stay cool emotionally by not shouting at car drivers whose air-conditioners will drown you out – concentrate on the open-tops

• Warmed-up fizzy drinks will spray a sticky mess everywhere if opened before they've settled – useful against pedestrians who cross on red

• Develop a taste for neat whisky to avoid transporting ice

• Car drivers stuck in jams get even more bad-tempered, so take games, quizzes etc to cheer them up

• Stick to medical guidelines of at least eight glasses of alcohol per day, and no more than three units of water

• Sunburn can be bad enough to warrant a day off work, so plan carefully

• Avoid showing embarrassing underarm wet patches by not giving hand signals

• Clear the queue for the shower on arrival at work by wearing sombrero, coughing

• Wait three days till it gets cold and windy again

From: http://realcycling.blogspot.com/2009/06/tips-to-survive-cycling-heat.html

 

[jimboalee]

Wear a helmet. Silver or white.

Every now and again, pour some water down the top vent hole.

 

[yello]

Every now and again, pour some water down the top vent hole.

but not in Wales? It'd drown them

 

[Randochap]

It's not enough to just "hydrate" in that kind of heat. In fact, just chugging water can lead to the much more dangerous condition hyponatremia or "water intoxication."

Smart athletes take care to avoid this potentially fatal condition by making sure to keep electrolytes balanced, especially in hot weather.

 

[yello]

making sure to keep electrolytes balanced, especially in hot weather.

Any tips on how that can be done?

 

[Randochap]

Any tips on how that can be done?

Dioralyte (bought some at a chemist in Greenwich, last time I was over), eLoad Heat Endurance Formula, eLete electrolyte drops (just add to bottles), Gatorade (note: not enough electrolytes), electrolyte capsules (I have some called Essential Electrolytes, by NutriBiotic)

Pretzels.

 

[yello]

Cheers! I had some dioralyte in the medicine cabinet! I'll give it a try tomorrow.

 

[Randochap]

Cheers! I had some dioralyte in the medicine cabinet! I'll give it a try tomorrow.

Yeah, it's for "the runs" but should be OK for general electrolyte replacement. I have the blackcurrant, which tastes OK.

To be honest, I haven't compared the measurements with recommended replacement doses, but I'd say (don't quote me) one sachet should be good for a shorter day ride.

 

[yello]

I have blackcurrant too! It says one sachet in 200ml of water, so I'll just put it in a 600ml bidon and see what happens!

 

[ufkacbln]

Dioralyte (bought some at a chemist in Greenwich, last time I was over), eLoad Heat Endurance Formula, eLete electrolyte drops (just add to bottles), Gatorade (note: not enough electrolytes), electrolyte capsules (I have some called Essential Electrolytes, by NutriBiotic)

Pretzels.

Actually - there is travel advice we give students for when abroad and the "runs / stomach problems" occur.

Diarolyte (et ilk) require local water to make them up which can compound the problem. Coke (like it or not) is made to a high standard of quality. Cracking the top and allowing to defizz overnight gives a flat drink that contains many of the electrolytes, and sugars needed to sustain. I suspect the same applies to touring or commuting cyclists.

 

[asterix]

That's a good tip. It's forecast 33c today.