On Your Left: Biking in the Heat
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Written by admin on July 21, 2008 – 5:56 pm
Now that we’re officially in to summer, the heat and humidity are going to stick around for a while. How do you beat the heat while biking?
* Ride during low-heat hours - try getting on the road before 8a and after 7p, when the heat and humidity for the day are low. The days are long enough that you’ll still be riding in daylight and not only will you have a cooler ride, there will be fewer people and cars to contend with.
* Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate - it is so important to drink lots of water, sports drink, what-have-you when it’s this hot and humid out. If you feel thirsty, it’s too late! Thirst is your body’s way of telling you it’s low on liquid. Drink often, even before you’re thirsty, to prevent dehydration.
* Wear appropriate clothing - when it’s super hot outside, wear short sleeves or sleeveless attire. Also consider investing in a cycling jersey instead of a cotton t-shirt. Cotton holds the moisture in and keeps it close to your skin; cycling jerseys are made of special fabrics that help draw the sweat away from your skin and help it evaporate, leaving you cooler.
* Wear sunscreen - while not technically a way to beat the heat, being outside increases your exposure to the sun and therefore increases the risk of sunburns. Because it’s hot and you’re exercising, try using a sweat-resistant sunscreen - this will help it last longer and you’ll have to re-apply less frequently. That being said, you still have to re-apply after a couple of hours!
Heat and humidity don’t have to be a deterrent to getting places by bike. Enjoy the long summer days while they last.
