Should I go riding in this 100 degree heat?

[Sampleinajar]

I am sure everyone will say YES! to this, but seriously, I have a two day of-road trip planned for the peak of this heatwave, and will be in full riding gear in 100 degree heat. Lot's of rocks - physical riding. Should I bail and not risk the heat exhaustion, etc?

I'm leaning towards going anyway, but it is freakin' hot out there.

Thanks-

Steve

[03sik50]

hydrate hydrate hydrate. I think as long as your are adequately prepared you will be ok. bring tons of fluids, jugs of water and rags that you can soak and cool you down with. We ride all summer long here in Florida and its hot and HUMID. I think another thing you need to take into account is your ability to cope with the heat. Good luck.

[DEMI]

should you? probably not.... you aren't going to be able to carry enough hydration to make it safe, let alone a wet towel for cool down periods, etc.... sometimes you need to pass on riding. I rode yesterday and it was brutal, that was on a track with lots of water when on break... if you do go, be careful and listen to your body.

[tenis24]

Take breaks and start at daylight.

[03sik50]

is it a two day trip with riding or like a two day ride trip where you are on nothing but your bike. If its where your constantly on the bike for two days of riding i would say no.

[deelong4002]

I dont even have fun when it's this hot out so i say no.

[Sampleinajar]

Good points. I think the inability to carry enough water is going to be the deciding factor. The plan was two days of riding, but we'll be in a hotel in the evening. I had heat exhaustion once and it was not fun at all - felt like I was dying. There will be no way to bring enough cold water along to rescue the situation if it goes bad. All I have is my 2L hydration backpack with maybe the ability to cram a few extra bottles of water in. Bummer. I was really looking forward to this trip. They need to sell an air conditioned off-road suit ?

[01cr80]

when its hot out i know i could go riding and keep myself hydrated, but like mentioned above i dont even have fun so i dont

[DEMI]

kind of rots when a planned weekend has to be 86'd... usually it is rain!! It's ok to pass on this one, especially when you've already experienced heat exhaustion. Once you have had that, it makes you more susceptible for a repeat.... or so I have heard.

[sid_125_04]

That which doesnt kill you makes you stronger.............ride and like everyone else said drink up!?

[scottiesbe]

on the road I would not want to be in a traffic jam in leathers. In the dirt going through a couple river crossings would be nice.

A hydration pack is a must

[condor74]

How far away from civilisation will you be? If it is just a short ride off the trail to get supplies or help. Bring as much water as you can. How humid will it be? In the desert I regurlary in temps over 100. If I didnt , I would not get to ride between June and October

[Sampleinajar]

I'll probably be, on average, a 1 hr ride from civilization, but through some pretty rough sections that you couldn't ride through if you were hurt or feeling really bad. They are forecasting 50% humidity. I've seen worse, but still no picnic.

[WvKawiRider]

I am going to the Hatfield McCoy trails this weekend and it is gonna be a hot one! Temp is supposed to be 95 with a heat index of 108:crazy:. My gear and the bike temp will not help me stay any cooler either. I'm sure I will be struggling but my friend just purchased a ice vest and said it was a great purchase. I will see how he holds up in the heat before I buy one.?

[Theeebalz]

if you have a bike with a headlight ride at night and dusk and sleep during the day thats what i do everyday! ?

[THE CYBERDEMON]

I was always told if you get heat stroke once then you will always be more suseptable to getting it again. So I would recommend bailing. I ride in 100+ weather from june through septemper, granted the humidity is usually below 10 percent so its managable, but I will still down a 100oz bag of water during a 2 hour ride, which this time of year is usually to the waterfalls to cool down.

[Gotlabs]

Only you know yourself well enough to make that decision. If you are physically fit and acclimatized to this type of weather then you should be fine. Just listen to your body (if you get hot stop where there is water/shade/both), carry as much water as possible, cut holes in your jersery, wear glasses instead of goggles and take lots of water with you. I know my limitations and consider myself to be in fairly good physical condition, but wouldn't ride in this heat if I didn't have at least a gallon of water on me per hour of riding.

Before you SA's get funny, yes I've been victim to a heat injury. ?

[Swede73]

I hate the heat. Can't flippin' stand it!! But I love to ride! A camelback with ice and water is a must. I wear shorts when I ride on fire trails behind my son. The faster you go the cooler it gets. The biggest problem I have always dealt with was the dust.

[LILBIT]

Another Fl rider here. I haven't had the pleasure of 100 degree heat with only 50% humidity. Many of us ride all summer but the length of the ride is limited for me. Even if i ride slower i have no intrest in an all day ride let alone two in a row.

I have nothing left to prove about being tough. Your ride sounds like punishment not fun. I'd skip it.

[bajabinder]

Good points. I think the inability to carry enough water is going to be the deciding factor. The plan was two days of riding, but we'll be in a hotel in the evening. I had heat exhaustion once and it was not fun at all - felt like I was dying. There will be no way to bring enough cold water along to rescue the situation if it goes bad. All I have is my 2L hydration backpack with maybe the ability to cram a few extra bottles of water in. Bummer. I was really looking forward to this trip. They need to sell an air conditioned off-road suit ?

On my last ride, I drank my entire 2L of water in 15 miles. Usually I can make it Last close to 100 miles, but I got into some gnarly terrain that zapped me. It wasn't more than 90 deg., but I didn't plan on the single track turning so nasty. Either bring a ton more water, or ride another day. ?