Beating the heat

[Ken]

I have been thinking about riding before sun-up, to beat the Florida heat.
Does anyone else do this? Or am I just crazy? By 9 or 10 am it's pretty hot.
Or maybe I could do it after sundown, but it usually take a pretty long time
to cool down. I might find myself starting a ride at 10 pm. Maybe not the
safest time to ride.

Ken

--
For my real email address just remove "-dispose-trash"
More of my mind dribbles at my blog: http://mind-dribble.blogspot.com/
My personal website: http://kcm-home.tripod.com/

[Bitey]

HEAT???

May 22 and it is still raining every weekend and below 50. ARRRRGGGHHH
"Ken" > wrote in message
...
> I have been thinking about riding before sun-up, to beat the Florida heat.
> Does anyone else do this? Or am I just crazy? By 9 or 10 am it's pretty
hot.
> Or maybe I could do it after sundown, but it usually take a pretty long
time
> to cool down. I might find myself starting a ride at 10 pm. Maybe not the
> safest time to ride.
>
> Ken
>
> --
> For my real email address just remove "-dispose-trash"
> More of my mind dribbles at my blog: http://mind-dribble.blogspot.com/
> My personal website: http://kcm-home.tripod.com/
>
>

[Ken]

"Bitey" <jpeters010thingycomcastperiodnet> wrote in message
...
> HEAT???
>
> May 22 and it is still raining every weekend and below 50. ARRRRGGGHHH

Well here in south Florida, the temps are getting into the mid to upper 80's
daily now. The temps are usually in the upper 70's by 9:00 am. With humidity
in about the same range.

Ken

[GaryG]

"Ken" > wrote in message
...
> I have been thinking about riding before sun-up, to beat the Florida heat.
> Does anyone else do this? Or am I just crazy? By 9 or 10 am it's pretty
hot.
> Or maybe I could do it after sundown, but it usually take a pretty long
time
> to cool down. I might find myself starting a ride at 10 pm. Maybe not the
> safest time to ride.
>
> Ken
>
> --
> For my real email address just remove "-dispose-trash"
> More of my mind dribbles at my blog: http://mind-dribble.blogspot.com/
> My personal website: http://kcm-home.tripod.com/
>

Early morning is probably safer. Less traffic, and less drunks.

GG

[Ken]

"GaryG" > wrote in message
...
> "Ken" > wrote in message
> ...
>> I have been thinking about riding before sun-up, to beat the Florida
>> heat.
>> Does anyone else do this? Or am I just crazy? By 9 or 10 am it's pretty
> hot.
>> Or maybe I could do it after sundown, but it usually take a pretty long
> time
>> to cool down. I might find myself starting a ride at 10 pm. Maybe not the
>> safest time to ride.
>>
>> Ken
>>
>> --
>> For my real email address just remove "-dispose-trash"
>> More of my mind dribbles at my blog: http://mind-dribble.blogspot.com/
>> My personal website: http://kcm-home.tripod.com/
>>
>
> Early morning is probably safer. Less traffic, and less drunks.
>
> GG
>
>
Yeah that was my thinking as well. I don't want to be another "cyclist
killed by drunk driver" statistic.

Ken

[Stephen Harding]

Ken wrote:

> I have been thinking about riding before sun-up, to beat the Florida heat.
> Does anyone else do this? Or am I just crazy? By 9 or 10 am it's pretty hot.
> Or maybe I could do it after sundown, but it usually take a pretty long time
> to cool down. I might find myself starting a ride at 10 pm. Maybe not the
> safest time to ride.

Best part of the day is before 10 am and 6-7 am is pretty tough
to beat for just about anything.

I'd definitely go for the early morning option.


SMH

[Gooserider]

"Ken" > wrote in message
...
> I have been thinking about riding before sun-up, to beat the Florida heat.
> Does anyone else do this? Or am I just crazy?

I commute to work, and I live in Florida. I hit the road at 6:45AM and 5 PM.
The heat isn't really that bad. I mean, it's hot, but that's why we live
here. Just hydrate and wear wicking clothes. :-)

[Ian S]

"Ken" > wrote in message
...
> I have been thinking about riding before sun-up, to beat the Florida heat.
> Does anyone else do this? Or am I just crazy? By 9 or 10 am it's pretty
hot.
> Or maybe I could do it after sundown, but it usually take a pretty long
time
> to cool down. I might find myself starting a ride at 10 pm. Maybe not the
> safest time to ride.
>
> Ken

After sundown, things have just begun to cool off - hours later at sun-up
will be about the coolest. Here in Arizona, where the saguaros are blooming
and we're already seeing record heat around 110F, morning is really the only
time to ride. As others have said, there will be fewer drunks on the road
and there will be more light.

[RonSonic]

On Sun, 22 May 2005 07:09:17 -0400, "Ken" >
wrote:

>I have been thinking about riding before sun-up, to beat the Florida heat.
>Does anyone else do this? Or am I just crazy? By 9 or 10 am it's pretty hot.
>Or maybe I could do it after sundown, but it usually take a pretty long time
>to cool down. I might find myself starting a ride at 10 pm. Maybe not the
>safest time to ride.
>
>Ken

One of the reasons I've taken to riding off road. Can't get much more in the
shade than the woods and as long as I'm moving there's a pretty good breeze.
Cool off faster riding easy than taking a break.

Sometimes I only wear a helmet because it's better ventilated than my hats.

Ron

[Olebiker]

>Well here in south Florida, the temps are getting into the mid to
upper 80's
daily now. The temps are usually in the upper 70's by 9:00 am. With
humidity
in about the same range.

You call that hot? Reminds me of a headline from The Times of London
many years ago: "Seventy degrees again today. No relief in sight."

Our club rides here in Tallahassee start at 7:30 or 8:00 a.m. during
the summer to take advantage of cooler weather but, by the time we are
finished, it is usually well into the 90s. As other folks have
mentioned, wicking clothing like Coolmax jerseys do a good job of
helping the body cool itself. Be sure to drink long before you are
thirsty. Dehydration can cause a whole raft of problems.

Dick Durbin

[Ken]

"Olebiker" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> >Well here in south Florida, the temps are getting into the mid to
> upper 80's
> daily now. The temps are usually in the upper 70's by 9:00 am. With
> humidity
> in about the same range.
>
> You call that hot? Reminds me of a headline from The Times of London
> many years ago: "Seventy degrees again today. No relief in sight."
>
> Our club rides here in Tallahassee start at 7:30 or 8:00 a.m. during
> the summer to take advantage of cooler weather but, by the time we are
> finished, it is usually well into the 90s. As other folks have
> mentioned, wicking clothing like Coolmax jerseys do a good job of
> helping the body cool itself. Be sure to drink long before you are
> thirsty. Dehydration can cause a whole raft of problems.
>
> Dick Durbin
>

Well it's not like Arizona desert hot but still! Well this morning I went
out at 6:30 am for 1 of my 12 mile laps and I thought it was nice. I have
really just started cycling so I am still riding in a t-shirt and nylon
"work-out" pants. I know I would be more comfortable in cycling type
clothing, but I am a frugal living specialist (a.k.a. cheap *******). And
yeah I know all about dehydration!

Ken

[gds]

I think that the humid Florida heat is at least as hard to deal with as
the dry heat we have here in southern AZ. With (only a little)
amusement I noted that yesterday as it hit 109 in Tucson the
"discomfort index" was only at 103.

And a comment about the cheapness thing. I think that "idea" of
expensive cycling specific clothing is way overblown. Yes, the initial
cost can be high but most of the expensive stuff is really well made
and lasts for a long time. So, a really comofortable state of the art
kit can be had for $200. It can last for years- so on a per ride basis
it is really quite inexpensive. Obviusly if the $200 is hard to come by
that is a real barrier. But if it only the idea of spendiing the money
that is the problem that should be overcome.

[Ryan Cousineau]

In article . com>,
"gds" > wrote:

> I think that the humid Florida heat is at least as hard to deal with as
> the dry heat we have here in southern AZ. With (only a little)
> amusement I noted that yesterday as it hit 109 in Tucson the
> "discomfort index" was only at 103.
>
> And a comment about the cheapness thing. I think that "idea" of
> expensive cycling specific clothing is way overblown. Yes, the initial
> cost can be high but most of the expensive stuff is really well made
> and lasts for a long time. So, a really comofortable state of the art
> kit can be had for $200. It can last for years- so on a per ride basis
> it is really quite inexpensive. Obviusly if the $200 is hard to come by
> that is a real barrier. But if it only the idea of spendiing the money
> that is the problem that should be overcome.

There may be small differences between low-end and high-end gear, but I
think that once you get into cycling-specific shirts and shorts, you're
already at about 90% of the utility of any equipment.

I have several jerseys. the Hind one I have is superb, and cost me C$30
at a discount outlet. The RaceFace one is nice because it's much cooler
than any other jersey I own. The Louis Garneau team kit I have is
probably the warmest of the three, owing to heavier, more durable
material.

Shorts are probably more differentiated, but I suspect the difference
has everything to do with finding a comfortable chamois.

Workable kit should not cost more than $100, though by the time you add
arm warmers, leg warmers, and/or a nice jacket, it might be close to
your $200 number. But then, I wonder about the utility of warmers and
jackets in Florida. In BC? Essential. I own four different cycling
jackets to cover four jerseys.

--
Ryan Cousineau http://www.wiredcola.com/
"I don't want kids who are thinking about going into mathematics
to think that they have to take drugs to succeed." -Paul Erdos

[gds]

Ryan Cousineau wrote:
> In article . com>,
> "gds" > wrote:
>
> > I think that the humid Florida heat is at least as hard to deal
with as
> > the dry heat we have here in southern AZ. With (only a little)
> > amusement I noted that yesterday as it hit 109 in Tucson the
> > "discomfort index" was only at 103.
> >
> > And a comment about the cheapness thing. I think that "idea" of
> > expensive cycling specific clothing is way overblown. Yes, the
initial
> > cost can be high but most of the expensive stuff is really well
made
> > and lasts for a long time. So, a really comofortable state of the
art
> > kit can be had for $200. It can last for years- so on a per ride
basis
> > it is really quite inexpensive. Obviusly if the $200 is hard to
come by
> > that is a real barrier. But if it only the idea of spendiing the
money
> > that is the problem that should be overcome.
>
> There may be small differences between low-end and high-end gear, but
I
> think that once you get into cycling-specific shirts and shorts,
you're
> already at about 90% of the utility of any equipment.
>
> I have several jerseys. the Hind one I have is superb, and cost me
C$30
> at a discount outlet. The RaceFace one is nice because it's much
cooler
> than any other jersey I own. The Louis Garneau team kit I have is
> probably the warmest of the three, owing to heavier, more durable
> material.
>
> Shorts are probably more differentiated, but I suspect the difference

> has everything to do with finding a comfortable chamois.
>
> Workable kit should not cost more than $100, though by the time you
add
> arm warmers, leg warmers, and/or a nice jacket, it might be close to
> your $200 number. But then, I wonder about the utility of warmers and

> jackets in Florida. In BC? Essential. I own four different cycling
> jackets to cover four jerseys.
>
> --
> Ryan Cousineau http://www.wiredcola.com/
> "I don't want kids who are thinking about going into mathematics
> to think that they have to take drugs to succeed." -Paul Erdos

Really no argument. My point is simply that the utility of the gear
comined with its intitial cost still works out to a pretty reasonable
per use cost.

I will say that my experience has been that the more expensive the
shorts the more comfortable they are on long rides. For shorter rides
I'd agree that most everything works fine.
Still I have PI bib shorts that have years and literally thousands of
miles on them and the only issue is that the leg grippers are getting
worn and loose. My guess is that on a per ride basis their cost is
about a quarter. And per mile less than a penny. Not much for comfort.

[Gooserider]

"Ryan Cousineau" > wrote in message news:rcousine-> >
>.
> Workable kit should not cost more than $100, though by the time you add
> arm warmers, leg warmers, and/or a nice jacket, it might be close to
> your $200 number. But then, I wonder about the utility of warmers and
> jackets in Florida. In BC? Essential. I own four different cycling
> jackets to cover four jerseys.
>
I agree that it's not necessary to spend huge money. I own mainly
Performance and Nashbar house brand clothing, and I've been more than
satisfied. I do have a couple of team jerseys, but my commute gear is el
cheapo house brand, and it works fine.

[lokey]

"Ken" > wrote in message
...
>I have been thinking about riding before sun-up, to beat the Florida heat.
>Does anyone else do this? Or am I just crazy? By 9 or 10 am it's pretty
>hot. Or maybe I could do it after sundown, but it usually take a pretty
>long time to cool down. I might find myself starting a ride at 10 pm. Maybe
>not the safest time to ride.

While the heat isn't as much of a concern, I've found dawn and pre-dawn
rides most enjoyable. The serenity and calm of that time of day is
refreshing.

--
'I can pull up by the curb
I can make it on the road
Going mobile' -the who

[J]

Ian S > wrote:
> After sundown, things have just begun to cool off - hours later at sun-up
> will be about the coolest. Here in Arizona, where the saguaros are blooming
> and we're already seeing record heat around 110F, morning is really the only
> time to ride. As others have said, there will be fewer drunks on the road
> and there will be more light.

Mornings are definitely best in the desert. The large temperature swings
means it is usually pretty cool just before and at sunrise (the coolest
time of the day).

j