When is it too hot to ride?

[Tricia]

We have had this discussion about skiing, (When is it too cold to go skiing) but most recently, I've been doing my best to get out and ride early before it gets too hot.
If I dilly dally around the house, I miss my window of opportunity and end up not getting a ride in.

@Philpug on the other hand, will ride in 100º heat up Peavine, which is extremely exposed.

We went for a late morning ride a week ago and it was 99º when I got home, but Phil went up Peavine to get 10 more miles in.
I was exhausted and done with the heat.

 

[Philpug]

It's not the heat, it's the humidity.

 

[cantunamunch]

It's not the heat, it's the humidity.

Tell me about humidity .

 

[cantunamunch]

Today was not too hot.

 

[Andy Mink]

It seems if I start when it's a bit cooler I can do into the 90s because I don't have a choice if I want to get home. Doesn't mean I like it...

I voted +85 because I probably won't start if it's hotter than that.

 

[cantunamunch]

Are we taking 2 hour ride or are we talking 5 hour ride?

 

[Philpug]

Tell me about humidity .

I am talking double digits....it gets unbearable here. Actaully we do hit into the 30% range from time to time and we do feel it.

 

[AmyPJ]

Too many variables to answer, how exposed the trails are being one of them. In general, I'd say above 85 with sun over head is too stinkin' hot. But, I also work really hard when I ride with my HR pushing into anaerobic zones regularly, so my heat tolerance is pretty low.

 

[wooglin]

Depends on how hot it usually is. If 75 is normal then 90 may be too hot. If 85 is normal then triple digits aren’t that big a deal.

 

[dovski]

All I can tell you is that the Seattle area is very sensitive to the weather. You get a dusting of snow in winter and school is canceled for two weeks plus everyone parks their cars at the side of the road and walks home.

This week we have a heat wave and every outdoor activity is canceled plus folks are panic shopping for ice, water, fans ... etc. In my case my weekend MTB clinic was canceled and my sons MTB camp was canceled too. What is really crazy is our neighbors who have a boat decided not to take it out because it is too hot!

Maybe it is just me but I think that folks in the Seattle area over react to the weather.

 

[Pat AKA mustski]

I think air quality plays into it also. We got spoiled by nice temps living near the coast for 40 years. Generally, the air quality is pretty good but when the winds switch, watch out. Suddenly outside is unbearable. That’s another thing we loved about Reno- the air is super clean! It makes the heat more bearable. Breathing is not over rated!

 

[cantunamunch]

Actaully we do hit into the 30% range fron time to time and we do feel it.

My shift cables are rusted from crying for y'all.

If 85 is normal then triple digits aren’t that big a deal.

If that was actually true, I wouldn't have gone vegan to get just that little bit extra heat tolerance.

 

[wooglin]

If that was actually true, I wouldn't have gone vegan to get just that little bit extra heat tolerance.

Just trying to make the point that if you’re used to hot, hotter isn’t that big a deal.

 

[François Pugh]

I'm sure it does get too hot to ride, on some other planet.

 

[Tricia]

Okay okay okay.... poll is flawed and there are variables, so I've added a poll choice.

In true fashion...It's complicated

 

[Andy Mink]

That’s another thing we loved about Reno- the air is super clean! It makes the heat more bearable. Breathing is not over rated!

Your time will come. Wait until we get the inversion in winter. You can't see the valley from Mt. Rose. Where you're at may be up just far enough to avoid the smog.

 

[Pat AKA mustski]

Dang. We need a do not like button.

 

[luliski]

I have been known to ride (road) when it's 100 degrees F out. That's at the end of the ride if I started too late. When I ride on the road, I don't notice the heat so much unless I am climbing or I stop. Mountain biking's different though (at least for me).

 

[Jersey Skier]

Rode in the 90's with high humidity today. Wouldn't have left the house if I weren't riding an ebike. Nice to be able to sit and just spin up a hill if you're feeling overheated. Should have taken some pictures. Rocks were soaked with sweat.

 

[John Webb]

On East coast it's the humidity that gets you !