Cycling in hot weather

stueys

I've never really cycled in anything above 28 degrees, normally in summer I wear a compression base layer and a jersey. That with arm warmers or a gillet if it starts cool normally work quite well.

Doing the etape this year so wanted to get some hot weather gear in case it's a tasty July day. Picked up a Ralpha super lightweight jersey in the sale and was planning on getting a string vest type base layer when I find a good offer. However looking at some pics of the pro's down under it seems that they just wear a thin jersey when it's hot and ditch the base layer all together.

So have I been marketing suckered with all this talk of wicking, etc, etc? What's a good clothing strategy if I'm slogging up a mountain in 30 degrees?

cycleclinic

Carry lots of water. salp on the sun tan lotion. Wear something that is thin and light and light in colour. 1 layer only.

danlikesbikes

No most of the pro teams kit manufacturers have hot weather gear with lots of mesh panels in them.

BR did a review of some of the pro gear being used - http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gallery/a ... 244?img=16

bigpikle

mesh base layers are ideal when very hot, even if you have a lightweight jersey, as they trap a little extra layer of air which helps with cooling.

...and and dont forget that what goes up must come down, and descending long distances gets amazingly chilly when you are soaked in sweat from going up beforehand! Remember a good gilet, or possible l/s wind jacket is an essential even if its damn hot. The Maratona last year hit 35 degs peak temps last July and I still got cold descending the last mountain even with my full rain cape on.

crankycrank

Where I live we get plenty of 30+ deg. days and in my experience some base layers will help a little and some jersey fabrics are slightly more comfortable than others but the biggest advantage is just to have a light coloured, full length zipper jersey and plenty of fluids. Some people like to carry plain water to pour on their head and back as well. If your shorts are black try to stay out of the sun when not riding as the heat on black material can cause slight burns on your thighs though not a big concern while riding as the flowing air keeps your thighs cool enough.

ilm_zero7

at the moment it drops to 21 deg on a night which is lovely, but here in the gulf cycling in the early to mid 3's is not-uncommon, but about 40 deg and it get hard.
Water - lots of it, with electrolytes, not sugars (so avoid Gatorade and go for something like Pocari or Zero5) - and choose your kit wisely - a well vented helmet is essential, as is light coloured kit, especially on the back panel ( the old sky kit used to score well on this, but the new stuff is style over substance), and a sweatband so you can see.

ilm_zero7

and the other thing - CO2! - manual pumping up in heat, when you have also stopped benefiting from moving though the air, is a no no..

bernithebiker

Stueys wrote:

I've never really cycled in anything above 28 degrees, normally in summer I wear a compression base layer and a jersey. That with arm warmers or a gillet if it starts cool normally work quite well.

Doing the etape this year so wanted to get some hot weather gear in case it's a tasty July day. Picked up a Ralpha super lightweight jersey in the sale and was planning on getting a string vest type base layer when I find a good offer. However looking at some pics of the pro's down under it seems that they just wear a thin jersey when it's hot and ditch the base layer all together.

So have I been marketing suckered with all this talk of wicking, etc, etc? What's a good clothing strategy if I'm slogging up a mountain in 30 degrees?

Lets hope it's hot, eh? The Pyrenees Etape last year (14th July) was so cold and wet that hundreds pulled out with hypothermia!

ugo.santalucia

Take off your helmet up the climbs, you can wear it on the bars, it won't bother you and you don't need it anyway... then wear a cycling cap or a bandana and keep it wet with cold water. The water evaporation will keep your head fresh... if the head is fresh, all is well... if your head gets overheated, you are in big trouble

That's what I do when I cycle up the mountains in Italy in Summer

stueys

Thanks all, some good advice there. I hadn't thought about taking water as well to keep my head cool. I'll carry on hunting for a mesh base layer in the sales then, looks as if most people think they help. I've got nice light and well vented helmet (S-works Prevail). Electrolyte tablets for refills look like a good plan.

stueys

bernithebiker wrote:

Lets hope it's hot, eh? The Pyrenees Etape last year (14th July) was so cold and wet that hundreds pulled out with hypothermia!

On the plus side though I do have extensive experience of cycling in cold, gray drizzle. Plays to my home strengths