Cycling in very hot weather

[arup]

I am 46 years of age. During my early days I used to cycle a lot. It was actually my passion. I had made a lot of short trips of around 100 km. Later on due to my profession I could not continue it. However I'm now physically fit on average. My height is 5'8" & weight around 71 kg , blood pressure 140/90. I smoke. I want to pursue my passion again. My present place of posting is 8 km far from my home. And it is very hot in summer here. The average peak temperature reaches even 48 Degree Celsius during summer here. However My usual office time is 09.30 to 17.00 hours.Thus being the situation Is it advisable if I start cycling again to commute to my office for six days a week ? I request to give your opinion in details. Thanks in advance.

[bubbu64]

48 degrees celcius ? wow where ? Cycling in that weather will need a lot of hydration, protection from the sun and of course oodles of mental stamina.

[Minkey Chief]

^Yeah. As soon as the outside gets close to and then past body temperature you have to be really careful. Add that to the really short distance, and it'll be hard to get any training out of your riding, if that's your goal. I'd actually suggest you finish your training ride very early in the morning, and if you still want to commute, go very slowly.

As Bubbu mentioned, hydration is really important, and just water may not be enough. Consider adding a little Electral or the like to your water during and just after the ride.

[baccilus]

YOu can also think of cycling to work for 6-8 months a year when it is relatively cooler rather than during peak summers. And start early at least in the morning so that it is a little cooler.

[knmurthy]

If it works you can change your work timings to suit your cycling
May be you can ride in the morning and be done with cycling and not commuting
We used to do that, stat at around 5:45 and do a 2 hour ride and be done for the day
Murthy

[cryptic_abbreviator]

I am 46 years of age. During my early days I used to cycle a lot. It was actually my passion. I had made a lot of short trips of around 100 km. Later on due to my profession I could not continue it. However I'm now physically fit on average. My height is 5'8" & weight around 71 kg , blood pressure 140/90. I smoke. I want to pursue my passion again. My present place of posting is 8 km far from my home. And it is very hot in summer here. The average peak temperature reaches even 48 Degree Celsius during summer here. However My usual office time is 09.30 to 17.00 hours.Thus being the situation Is it advisable if I start cycling again to commute to my office for six days a week ? I request to give your opinion in details. Thanks in advance.

Which city ? Nagpur or Ahmedabad which are rather hot in summer still have cool mornings and somewhat cool evenings. Hopefully getting out by 0800 and leaving work at 1800 should keep you out of the worst of it ?

how would you be commuting ? cycling shorts and jersey or regular office clothes. Officewear may just be too sweaty

Which bicycle ? can you carry a bottle of water on it ?

I'd suggest you could try cycling say from 0500 for an hour to get your legs back and most probably you will see that the distance you want to commute is eminently doable.

Maybe I read it wrong, but it sounded like you are concerned about your BP and smoking and general well being, you might want to consider quitting (and though you did not ask, cold turkey works best) , and maybe get a general physical. If you want some "inspirational" stories on quitting here. All the best here's why

ciao
gr

[bblost]

I leave home by 9:30 AM. Takes me approx 50 mins to cover the 17 kms to office. The temperature in Hyderabad is a lil less than 40 during the day. Morning at around 10 AM, I must be cycling in close to 35 degrees or so of dry heat.

I end up drinking close to 600 ml of water. Wear shorts that end above my knees and sandals/ thin shoes.
There is absolutely no shade on any part of the road. The problem I face is not the heat its the wind.

In my opinion, you need to wear light clothes and be well hydrated before the journey. A nice pair of sun glasses would help shield your eyes from the glare.
A good wash after the ride might help you cool off.

I guess 8 kms might take you 20 minutes.
I don't see that as a major issue if your overall health is good.

[shankarbn]

+1 to all of that's been said above. Pick a bike, start riding early in the mornings to see how comfortable you are with the distance. Once you are confident enough, ensuring that you don't ride on an empty stomach and carrying enough hydration, start riding to office. Once you start riding to office, there'll be no looking back for sure... its always that first ride to office which is a major step.

[Anool]

I commute, daily, in Mumbai (I'm 48). Although the weather here is nowhere near 48 deg, it does get hot and uncomfortable. For example, today's 33 deg high will "feel" like 45 deg.
I have a short 6km commute, and usually do it at 8:30am thrice a week, and 10:30~11:00am for the other 3 days. It's pretty hot and uncomfortable then, but after some time, you kinda get used to it. Of course, end of the commute, you need a wash facility.
As bblost said, shorts that end above the knee are useful as anything longer starts getting snagged over sticky, sweaty knees during the ride. A full face cover under the helmet (balaclava) to cover the neck, forehead and mouth (only the eyes remain exposed, which are covered by sunglasses). Long sleeve dry, fit jersey.
For my short commute, I don't need any hydration during the ride (although I loose copious amounts of fluid via sweating). Some water at the end of the ride suffices.

[ramkumar]

Blood Pressure of 140/90 and smoker. Except smoking, my condition is similar (at least was similar couple of months ago) in terms of blood pressure (I am only 32).
8km won't be too much, take your Dr's advice on starting cycling, and try hard to quit smoking. Cycling and no smoking can do wonders to your blood pressure (I am experiencing it).

9am to 5pm won't be an issue for 8km commute.

All the best.

[Quizling]

Sounds like Ramagundam in AP or thereabouts. No offence to Ramagundamites, but one brief stopover there in summer made me long for Mumbai's humidity!

A full face cover under the helmet (balaclava) to cover the neck, forehead and mouth (only the eyes remain exposed, which are covered by sunglasses).

I remember seeing these for sale on an Indian website, in army camo colour options, and at affordable prices. I can't seem to remember where though -- does anyone have any idea?

[Anool]

from OlivePlanet.in, Hari.

see this :
http://www.bikeszone.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=10900&p=120449&hilit=balaclava#p120446

[Swordfish]

Guys,

I have restarted my commute recently - 3weeks back i think. the heat was ok then, but now its fucking hot. I start at 8.30/9/9.30 at home and reach office before 10:30(it takes 60-70mins max). If on any day i start at 9:30, its so hot i get irritated. I used the face mask from oliveplanet for some time. Its awesome for night riders, brevets, winter but wont work for summer. There is more suffocation and irritation combined by the heat and the cloth. I wouldnt suggest it for summer heat. I actually used for commute to protect from vehicle pollution, it works but a few times after, i want that thing off my face. If you know what i mean.

My commute is a min of 25kms one-way (i usually take different routes each day, which are longer than my actual route) so been there done that and will continue no matter what the temperature is. I have decided that. Last time i tried, i stopped because of the rains but this time, i am going to be ready for the rains too.

Coming to the point, the cloth is not the solution, early start is the solution. Evenings can be nice however hot they are. The problem is, if you have traffic signals in your route, it gets extremely frustrating waiting at them in the morning heat or the evening pollution. The lesser the signals, the better.

[Quizling]

Thanks for the link, Anool. If the helmet feels tolerable I suppose I cn put up with the cloth over my face. It's worth a try anyway.

[Anool]

well, it helps me a lot, since I'm very sensitive to pollution/dust and the cloth helps me keep that at bay. It's less claustrophobic than a face mask.

[MPP]

well, it helps me a lot, since I'm very sensitive to pollution/dust and the cloth helps me keep that at bay. It's less claustrophobic than a face mask.

+1 I also use it regularly. infact i have 2. It does helps a lot. Dont know for sure, but if you cover your face till nose with it, I feel more comfortable. I think the mouth area remains slighlty moist (from exhalation) and the air during inhalation cools slightly as it passes through the fabric. giving a cooler feel in the nose/mouth region.
Of course it keeps the dust away very nicely.

[bblost]

Guys...

when you say you are sensitive to dust, what do you mean.

Do you start sneezing, coughing?

I assume with better immunity (since you exercise) and larger aerobic capacity (cycling) you should not have any problems.

[vkalia]

I used to ride centuries in the Omani summer, when the temperature was in the mid to high 40s. Drink lots of water. I mean LOTS. Splash water on yourself, if you can. 8km isn't such a big deal.

[Anool]

Guys...

when you say you are sensitive to dust, what do you mean.

Do you start sneezing, coughing?

I assume with better immunity (since you exercise) and larger aerobic capacity (cycling) you should not have any problems.

^ true that. When I was much younger, I used to ride a scooter, and would constantly suffer a runny nose. Now, I can't recall when I last had a bout of that (hope I haven't jinxed myself).

[MPP]

Guys...

when you say you are sensitive to dust, what do you mean.

Do you start sneezing, coughing?

I assume with better immunity (since you exercise) and larger aerobic capacity (cycling) you should not have any problems.

Not really, i dont see any linkage between better lung capacity and this iritation. I dont sneeze or have a running rose, but have a very bad bout of coughing,say for 1/2 hour when i rest after a very dusty ride (or trek). Doctor has given it very good tag of being 'Asthamatic'!! Ok, no I dont run Marathons, somehow never made it more than 10kms anytime, but never had any problem anywhere in Ladakh (thrice), except for at Hanle in winter.
Just a peice of cloth over nose keeps those dust particle away from the lungs.

Anyways, better immunity or no,its never a good idea to have all that soot/dust/concrete,etc. anywheer in your lungs. ..

[arup]

My heartiest thanks to all who advised me.

[cryptic_abbreviator]

http://www.bicyclinglife.com/PracticalC ... ycling.htm

[bblost]

http://www.bicyclinglife.com/PracticalCycling/SummerCycling.htm

That almost describes my home-office commute.
Similar distance, I am doing about 17.5 kms one way.
Same heat conditions. Around 32-34 degrees centigrade in the mornings.

And awesome bragging rights at work.

[cryptic_abbreviator]

actually Hyd is well short of the 120F/48C

However I came here not to point out above but to reflect on the irony of the blru boys discussing biking in the rain while the city slow roasts here

I leave home at 0830 and finish my 11 km in about 25 mins. 0930 and beyond is dfntly bragging rights worthy.

ciao
gr

[bblost]

Today was without any doubt the toughest ride to work.

I managed to leave home by around 9:40 AM. The first 10 kms were fine. But then I came close to BONK.

Stopped the bike and sat on the pavement for 4-5 minutes. Finished off all my water. Not only was it hot but extremely windy as well.

My avg speed dropped to about 15 kmph or so.
Reached office and chilled out for a while in the Gym followed by a cold shower.

The ride back was normal. But I can still feel a mild headache and fatigue.