Summertime Cycling Questions
Though our busiest season is not the summer, we are often questioned about cycling in the hotter months of the year. We are quick to remind our guests that humidity can actually make more of a difference than the overall temperature. At Great Bike Tours we are mindful to schedule our tours at locations when the weather will be the best for cycling to make your tour more enjoyable.
Below are some of the most common summertime cycling questions we are asked:
How hot is too hot to be out riding my bike?
Road Bike Rider STAN PURDUM says: If you’re looking for a number, start with a feels-like temperature of 90 degrees (Fahrenheit), which is about where many forecasters start warning about dangerous heat, but several factors can move that limit up or down.
Feels-like temperature takes into account not only the ambient air temperature, but also the relative humidity and wind speed to determine how weather conditions feel to bare skin. As such, it’s a better measure of what effect the weather is likely to have on you.
For example, here are the projected air and feels-like temps in my area for this June day, according to weather.com:
| Time of day | Air temp | Feels-like temp |
| 7 a.m. | 68 | 68 |
| 8 a.m. | 72 | 72 |
| 10 a.m. | 80 | 86 |
| 11 a.m. | 83 | 90 |
| 2 p.m. | 90 | 97 |
| 4 p.m. | 90 | 97 |
| 5 p.m. | 88 | 96 |
| 8 p.m. | 85 | 93 |
Clearly, if I want to ride today, it would be better to ride in the morning than in mid afternoon or evening.
What should I wear cycling in summer?
Riding in the summer requires dressing for the heat and the sun. Consider a nice lightweight, short-sleeve jersey as these are an excellent option for summer cycling. Shop for jerseys with mesh panels for ventilation, these make use of the airflow generated by the speed travelled, and can really help keep you cool on the move
Is it bad to cycle in hot weather?
Cycling in hot weather requires maintaining adequate hydration. When you exercise, it is essential to replenish water and other nutrients at regular intervals to prevent these all-important processes from breaking down. “A basic guideline is to drink about 20 ounces of water for every hour that you ride. Depending on your personal physiology or warm temperatures, you may need to drink more than this. As you ride, remind yourself to keep drinking at regular intervals, even if you don’t feel thirsty. “ Read More
- Also, do not forget your sun block!
What time of day is best for a summer ride?
To avoid the heat of the day, and the excess fatigue that comes with it, early mornings and late afternoons are the best times for cycling in the summertime. Once the sun is casting long shadows you will find more shade and relief from the strong rays and have a more enjoyable ride. You will slowly get more accustomed to the warmer temperatures as summer drags on just keep in mind that you will not be able to keep the same pace you had in the cooler months.
There are more daylight hours to cycle in the summer months – enjoy them!
Though the summer brings with it heat and humidity, we also experience longer days. In mid-day the more concentrated sunlight and results in more heating there are many more hours to cycle starting earlier in the morning and well past dinnertime. Do not let the hot summer days tempt you to stay locked up inside. Choose to get out and be active during the cooler hours of the day and enjoy your daily cycling!
