Is it dangerous to cycle in triple digit temperature?

Answer 1

It is safe to ride in 100+ degree weather. In fact, I had several occasions to do it here in North Carolina this summer. In fact, I think it is much more comfortable to ride in 100+ weather than to engage in any other form of exercise because you have the breeze to help cool you off.

Here are the keys to a safe ride in hot weather:

You don't want to do your first ride of the year in 100+ degree weather. Hopefully you've been riding all summer and you are well acclimated to high temperatures and humidity. If you are planning to start riding in this kind of heat, I'd think again.

Always carry lots of water. You may not need to drink it, but it will feel good poured over your head. (Tour de France riders dump gallons of water over the heads during hot stages.)

Proper hydration is important. Drink plenty of water before your ride. I beleive in the colorless urine standard. When I am taking in enough water to have colorless urine I am fully hydrated.

Ideally you should weigh yourself before your ride so you know how much water to consume after the ride.

When riding, drink 24-32 ounces of water/per hour. Don't drink more - your body can't absorb any more per hour. If you drink too much, you are subject to GI upset and over hydration.

Because you can sweat off more than your body can absorb, you are likely to weigh somewhat less when you finish your ride. Continue drinking 24-32 ounces of water per hour to get your body back to its pre-ride weight.

When it is hot, there is real danger of overhydrating. Be careful not to drink too much. Overhydration can be a dangerous, life threatening condition.

Pay attention to your body. If you begin to feel overheated, your energy flags, you feel dizzy or you feel nausea, you may be getting in trouble. Pour water over your head and shirt to help get rid of the excess heat. If that doesn't help, get to a shady spot and take a rest.

Finally, it is good to take something with electrolytes. These will help prevent cramps, and help maintain proper hydration. I like Endurolytes from Hammer Nutrition. Other folks like sport drinks because they also provide some calories. They all work well.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

If you take the right precautions then it's not too bad. It gets up to 100+ degrees in Nevada and people ride around.

First, take a lot of water with you. Get the biggest bottles that will fit in your cages. Drink regularly. Every five minutes, take a huge swig of water without bloating your stomach. Pour water on your back and chest if it helps. Take some $$ with you and buy water at a mini-market or where ever you can. And don't use a black or clear water bottle. White all the way. Insulate it if you can. Wrap it in foil to reflect the sun. Put ice cubes in it. You get the idea.

Second, use good sunscreen so you don't burn. Sunburning doesn't help with staying hydrated. SPF 50 is ideal. Banana Boat works best. SPF 60 is like smearing paint on your skin.

Third, take it easy. If you don't need to sprint then don't sprint. What's the rush? If you are a pro athlete in the TdF then the team car will be around to keep you energized and hydrated.

Fourth, keep the ride short. You spend a lot of energy trying to cool off. A 60 mile ride in the heat is like a 120 mile ride in cooler weather.

Fifth, don't wear dark clothes. I don't know why there are so many dark jerseys out there. Wear something white if you can. A black jersey will absorb more energy.

Lastly... sixth, take into account wind chill factor. Yes, it does exist when it's 100+ degrees outside. It may not be as noticeable when it's only 32 degrees outside but it will help you keep cool somewhat.

Good luck!

-- Boris

Answer 3

It can be if you're not prepared for it. Ever since I spent 4 years in Phoenix, AZ, I seem to handle those 100+ days better than most. Maybe there was some type of permanent adjustment in how I perspire, because though it's f-ing HOT I still sweat enough to keep me from overheating.

Wearing a good base layer like a tight UnderArmor shirt helps, as well as shaving your legs and head (I do both). Forget the baggy clothing- you want stuff that wicks sweat and cools the largest amount of skin area possible.

Wearing a good sunscreen helps keep your skin cooler, (especially up here in Colorado), and ALWAYS having more water than you need means that you can wet down your torso for that extra cooling effect when you need it.

But what helps is building up to it. A person can't come from Portland, OR to Phoenix and expect to perform well in such a temperature difference. Just like more climbing makes you a better climber, riding in heat makes your body adapt to handle it better, too.

Answer 4

It's not dangerous, and these guys gave tons of sound advice on here. I do it all the time.....you just get used to it if you have to.

One thing I'd mention is that if your body isn't used to the heat like it would be if you lived in it and had time to adjust through the season, it's VERY hard to just get out and ride in super-temps. No matter how much you hydrate and pump electrolytes or gels into your system, if your body isn't adapted you won't be able to keep up the same effort as usual. So.....if you're hitting a vacation-ride somewhere and run into high temps, just take it slower and keep yourself safe. Make sure to sip water for several hours after the ride and get some food in ya. :o)

Answer 5

On a freeway, going against rush hour traffic when it's 102 out? YEP!

Seriously, I rarely do in MI. But many people do in the SW. Do all the normal things you would do to minimize the temps. affect on you. Ride in the early morning or late in the evening, stay out of the sun as much as possible. Cut your rides a little short if need be. Keep hydrated of course. Reduce you effort if you feel weak.

If you're out of shape, overweight, not used to the high temps., limit you exposure and effort until you can gage you're ability to tolerate the heat.

The one thing good about riding is you always have a nice breeze in your face. It's the stopping that sucks!

Answer 6

Not if you've done a bit of training for it, including figuring out how to hydrate and how to slather on sunscreen.

I regularly ride in 100+ temperatures (duh ... Texan!) but I make sure I've got enough fluids before, during, and after the ride. I sunscreen like crazy (on most days with longer distances), and I try to never ride alone. Just in case, you know? So one can watch how the other is doing, and change it up as required.

I also run in those same temperatures ... and take pretty much the same precautions.

Answer 7

I was in Las Vegas last week wondering the same thing. I saw a few people riding for transportation and just one person for exercise.
For commuting I think it would be fine at a moderate pace.
For exercise I would keep hydrated and try to be done as early in the day as possible but I'm not sure it would be worth the risk.

Answer 8

It's safe only if you are careful. Your rate of hydration must be as high or higher than your rate of fluid loss. In very dry climates like the southwest, this is not possible since your sweat evapoarates so quickly.

Answer 9

I've never done it, but I suppose as long as you stay hydrated (theres the challenge) you should be alright. Be cautioned that it is very possibly a miserable experience.

I would just stay inside if I were you.