Humid or Arid? 💦 🌵
Which is tougher: humid, or arid?
Arid can get really bad, as this video shows; especially when arid goes with temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. I feel parched merely thinking about it.
Humid presents its own set of problems. Overnight low temperatures near 80 degrees, coupled with high humidity, send the heat index soaring. By 1:00 pm today, that heat index was 101 degrees.
Your sweat can’t evaporate in humid conditions; so it sits on your skin and makes you feel even hotter. Arid means that perspiration evaporates; but you’ll need to drink even more fluid.
Cure-all? 💊
So, is hydration a cure-all? Humid or arid, we can’t afford to ignore it.
I know this much, though. Water alone doesn’t cut it, especially in hot weather. Don’t forget the electrolytes! Too much water without electrolytes risks hyponatremia; a condition far worse than bonking. Bonking usually isn’t fatal; hyponatremia can be.
I once asked my doctor about using salt tablets during long, hot rides. They said that they don’t recommend salt tablets for people not being treated for low blood sodium.
So, humid or arid, I’ll keep using the hydration pack and take along some Propel.
