I\’m melting! And often it feels like I\’m not merely melting; but dissolving, thanks to our high humidity! Riding in hot weather certainly presents its challenges. For months on end, our overnight low temperatures can be at or near 80 degrees! That\’s one reason I ride so early in the day.

When the afternoon heat index is about 100, going for a long ride is unwise. I would have to start by riding only a few miles; and then build up. It seems rather pointless because, by the time I did get acclimated, Fall and cooler weather would be here. I\’d still ride in the morning, too; or I won\’t get enough exercise!

Between high temperatures and high humidity, sometimes the heat index rises to the point that a heat advisory is issued; and that\’s when it\’s time to just ride home from work (less than three miles) and stay put.

But what about the Sunday long ride, when it will already be hot when I start? I fill up the Camel-Bak; and take along electrolyte drink (such as Zym); prepared the previous evening, and  chilled overnight.

I don\’t blast away trying to ride at top speed for the whole ride. In fact, the Sunday ride is about long and steady at a moderate pace. Not working to go too fast helps keep me from overheating too badly; but I still feel like I\’m meltilng.

It would help, of course, if I had a cycling path with some shade. But I don\’t; so I take whatever precautions that I can — and do my best to enjoy the ride despite the heat.