I’m not a very good rider in the heat. I can work up a sweat in the shade going under 15mph when it is under 60°F (16°C) outside. When temperatures rise I turn into a portable salty stream.
Next week it’s going to be over 100 (38°+ C) in the afternoons. This lead to an conversation with a co-worker.
| Rose: | are you going to be riding in the 100+ |
| Michael: | Probably not. |
| Rose: | I was wondering how nuts you were |
| Michael: | it’s only an hour of riding [my mind was already bending] |
| Rose: | 100+ |
| Rose: | yuck |
| Michael: | I might bring in my camelback and load it up with ice. |
| Michael: | When they’re breaking down the salad/sandwich bar. |
| Michael: | I’ve riden in 100+ before. It is doable. |
| Rose: | nuts |
| Michael: | A camelback full of ice and a bandanna tied to the back of the helmet. Might even be OK. |
| Rose: | nuts |
That could work well. A backpack full of ice each afternoon and some portable shade could make the ride close to comfortable. I’ve got to give it a try.
I’m riding in the mornings and will likely go multi-moda in the evenings.
Next Monday is the next-to-last in the PIR short-track series, but Sweetie has asked me not to race. ven though they’re turning the sprinklers on all over the course and will hand out plenty of fluids to the racers. I’m going to watch and will see how it feels before deciding whether to race or not. (My category only races for 20 minutes plus a lap…)
Yes, multi-modal is an option. Busses are (mostly) air conditioned too. I have the option of riding for 3/4 mile, getting on the Halsey bus and taking it to a stop north of my home with a residential, tree shaded route to finish the day.
The icy camelbak should do fine though. We’ll know Monday night!
If your race starts late enough the edge will be off the heat and the sun won’t be beating down. That will help a lot